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With the smart home sector estimated to worth billions it is an attractive market to be in at the moment.  Therefore, many businesses and individuals are marketing their solution to create their own niche. On the other hand many of us who write about these technologies have heard solutions announced all the time but never see it or hear about it after that announcement. The latest big announcement was Apple Homekit, Apple’s version of a connected home platform.

Crestron promse to make home automation setup and management easier with the new app Pyng. According to Crestron Pyng will sit at the heart of your home automation system. With it, home integrators can create lifestyle scenes for each room, schedule events, and much more right from an iPad. You whole home automation system can be ready in minutes without using any other programming application.

Apple has made public what I have suspected from a long time, they want a share of the home automation market.  In addition to that they want your location data collected by their iPhone, ipad etc., to provide the service. In 2010/2011 Apple came under a lot of pressure to say why they were collecting customers location data and what they were doing with it.

Vivint is offering a free home automation App to its customers with iPad. Customers can download the App from the Vivint to take advantage of the iPad’s large screen to manage their home automation system.  In addition to offering remote access for home automation features, customers can customize notifications from the app to receive notices via email and regular texts or push notifications, regarding security and other events in their home.

The AV Division of Yamaha has introduced five low to mid-market home theater systems, called the HTiBs (home-theater-in-a-box). Standard across the range is front panel USB connectivity for other digital media systems and 100W subwoofers. Some models offer network connectivity with AirPlay to extend the flexibility and connectivity Apple base systems plus Yamaha’s CINEMA DSP 3D home theater experiences. They are also eco-friendly with the ability to reduce power consumption by 20 percent.

If you are a Cox Communications customer you can now enjoy your favorite videos and television from your iPad tablet. The new ‘Cox TV Connect’ application is available from the Apple App Store at no extra cost. TV Connect offers a flexible interface where users can view and browse the user guide at the same time and select a full-screen viewing option once a program has been selected.

Mac-based home automation software provider Perceptive Automation today announces the release of Indigo 5. New with this update is a Python-based Plugin API that allows Independent Software Vendors (ISV) to create native device types, trigger events and actions which are fully integrated into the Indigo User Interface and server.

Savant launches its popular range of Apple-base home automation products for the first time in Australia.  Now the Australians have more choice when deciding to install home automation. Using the familiar interface of their iPod, iPhone or iPad homeowners can access all the connected appliances in their home to change the environment.  Distributor Emersive Technologies will deliver the Savant range of products and services.

Cablevision has extends its digital TV service with the launch of the Optimum App. for the Apple iPad.  The new app allows you to access hundreds of channels and video on demand (VOD) services on your iPad in the comfort of your home.  The application delivers the full cable television experience to the Apple tablet device, and allows the iPad to function as a handheld television.  The service is free to Optimum cable television customers.

Somfy, the home solution specialist has launched a new home automation solution – TaHomA, that allows you to control, schedule and manage your Z-Wave enabled home systems.  Using a iPad, iPhone or computer you can access and control your lighting thermostat and integrated window systems to manage your energy use and protect your home. The Somfy TaHoma offers an easy to use web interface which guides you with intuitive graphics and step-by-step prompts as they personalize their home energy functions.