CEPro just posted an article about Control4 and its attempt to become the operating system for the automated home. It’s definitely an interesting concept and I think putting Control4’s operating system inside of everyday consumer electronics equipment could enable widespread adoption of home automation technology. Home automation is still a new concept to most people at this point and Control4 is the control company most focused on putting home automation into every home in the world. Most other control companies are ignoring the masses and that’s exactly why I believe that Control4 is going to make it stick.
The potential created from electronics with “Control4 Inside” is huge. Imagine having an A/V receiver that automatically knows how to connect to your DVD player that automatically knows how to connect to your TV. You just plug them into the network and that’s that. Oh, and they’re all tied into your home control system too without you lifting a finger. This is done to a certain extent already on computers using technologies like USB and Firewire but it has yet to come to the consumer electronics equipment that people use away from their computer.
It’s only a matter of time before every device that we use in our home is connected via some type of network enabled control system and that is a good thing. You should want your equipment to just work and forget about the details of how and why. Just plug it in and use it.
Read the original article at http://www.cepro.com/article/control4_aims_to_be_os_of_the_automated_home/
Everyone is in the recycling business these days and it’s not a bad thing. Sam’s Club has created a program that will help its members dispose of used electronics equipment the right way. They’ve made it very easy for consumers (that are members of the club) to participate in the program as it’s entirely web-based. The web site allows you to choose the type of product you’d like to recycle from a very user-friendly interface. The site also tells you if the product that you’re recycling has any trade-in value. The best part is that they’ll still recycle your equipment for free even if it doesn’t have any trade-in value!
The only downside to the program is that you’re limited in the types of equipment that you’re allowed to recycle. They accept desktop and laptop computers, video game consoles, LCD monitors, printers, camcorders, digital cameras and MP3 players. You’ll have to check out additional recycling resources for more information if you’re looking to recycle items like A/V receivers and DVD players. I blogged about some electronics recycling programs a few weeks ago, all of which are excellent options.
Electronic House Magazine has chosen “The Loft”, our most unique project to date, as the winner of the Gold Award for Best “Wow” Factor for the 2008 Electronic House Home of the Year Awards. The Electronic House Home of the Year Awards are some of the most prestigious awards in our industry and we are honored to have been selected as a winner. We were on hand at the Spring Electronic House Expo in Orlando, Florida to accept the award at the Electronic House Home of the Year Luncheon. The oohs and aahs of our peers during the slideshow said it all!
Write-ups of this year’s Home of the Year Awards can be seen in the May 2008 issue of Electronic House and contain a full spread including photos, equipment and a special feature about the project. This marks the first time that we have been featured in a national publication and we couldn’t be more excited to see the fruits of our labor in print. The Loft was also featured in Houstrends Cleveland Magazine in August 2007 in its Building Trends section.
The Loft is unique all around and it’s not just because of our technology. The design of every detail was painstakingly planned. From the kitchen counters to the artwork, the metalwork to the lighting. It truly is a one of a kind space.
We offer our sincerest gratitude to the owner and to the contractor, Amazing Design, for giving us the opportunity to work with them on such a special project. We’re humbled that a single project has gotten so much recognition and are extremely excited for our entire team. It certainly was a team effort and we wouldn’t be where we are without such a great group of people. The project was definitely our most challenging to date and has been a great experience for us all.
Check out page 108 in the May 2008 issue of Electronic House, aptly titled Cleveland Rocks. Take a look and tell us what you think!
