insteon

Insteon has partnered with Toshiba to include Insteon's home automation and control technology in Toshiba laptops. Insteon announced that the Insteon universal app will be included on new Toshiba Windows 10 laptops shipping at the end of the month. Insteon will be the first built-in IoT application shipping to the masses, giving customers with the Insteon Hub easy, intuitive control of their connected home from their Toshiba laptop.

Microsoft has big ideas and plans for the connected home but with most ideas you need support and partnerships to make them a reality.  Since last year I have noticed that the relationship between Microsoft and Insteon has grown and Insteon it seems has become a key partner in Microsoft’s connected home strategy, something they have been working on for some time.

With the release of it first fitness wearable Microsoft connected home partner Insteon is working with developers to take the Microsoft Band into the connected home.  Insteon announced last week at the Build conference that developers can now use the Insteon’s RESTful API to create home automation apps that use the Microsoft Band.

Insteon integration with Apple products has been extended to the new Apple Watch; the company announced that Insteon customers can use their Apple Watch to control Insteon connected home solutions.  Your home lighting, thermostat and other appliances con now be control from your wrist.  In addition, they can view Insteon cameras and monitor a variety of sensors—including motion, door/window, smoke/CO, and water leak—as well as receive instant alerts as soon as they are triggered.

One of the Achilles of the Windows platform in the connected home is the lack of support especially on the Windows phone platform. An app for the Windows phone seems to be an afterthought for connected home solutions providers. Well, this is about to change because Insteon one of the market leading home automation suppliers, has release Apps some windows based apps to manage and control Insteon devices.

Are you tired of having to get-up to turn off or dim your lights? According to INSTEON, they have introduced a for networked remote control dimmable LED light bulb, that you can control from your phone or tablet.  The 8 Watt (60W) bulb when paired with the free INSTEON’s SmartLinc Hub app turns an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet into a fully functioning remote control of the bulb.

Samrthome announced that they were chosen as one of seven retailers to sell the Blue Line PowerCost Monitor WiFi Gateway.  The PowerCost Monitor™ and Energy Meter is a device that, when attached to a home’s electric meter, can read real-time power consumption, and when coupled with the new PowerCost Monitor™ WiFi Gateway, that information can then be relayed to the Microsoft Hohm online portal where it can be compiled and analyzed.

SimpleHomeNet, a provider of home and building automation solutions and a division of Compacta International announced that its ZBLC30 and ZBCID products were awarded the ZigBee PRO HA certification. The ZBLC30 is a versatile Dual-relay Load Controller capable of making high current appliances smarter buy allowing you to control and monitor your ZigBee PRO network from network gateways and PCs.
 

Perceptive Automation has announced the release of Indigo version 4.1.  According to Perceptive Automation this new version is an update to the company's intelligent home control and automation server for Mac OS X.  The Indigo software is a whole home automation system that can manage your lawn sprinklers, home appliances, lights, thermostats and many more equipment and appliances that can be manage – thereby helping you to save energy and money.

Audacious Software is proud to announce Shion 2.0, an update to their home automation solution for Mac OS X. Designed for the typical end-user who seeks a powerful automation system, Shion is an innovative program that brings home automation technology to the everyday Mac user, all without the complexity of traditional offerings. Using commodity X10 and INSTEON devices, the new Shion user can begin controlling their apartment, home, or office in less than ten minutes.