Rather than using an Omega Seamaster James Bond (007) will soon be using a smart watch maybe one like the new Samsung Gear 2 Smartwatch. In addition to lunching rockets and helping to get him out of tight situations it could enhance his bachelor pad. iControl in partnership Samsung has become the first smart home solutions provider to allow access to connected home devices via the New Samsung Gear 2.
iControl is now offering the Netgear STS7000, a Google Android based tablet that can manage their “iControl Connect” solutions. It is ZigBee and Z-Wave compatible, therefore you can access and control your home automation systems such as security, energy management and lighting, through it touchscreen interface.
iControl is celebrating the reception of another Patent and another one in the pipeline, thus taking their overall world wide total to 24 home technology patents. The company said today that they have received US Patent Number 6,624,750, "Wireless Home Fire and Security Alarm System", a solution that will help them develop products that will better protect customer who use Z-Wave and ZigBee wireless solutions.
Two of the connected home heavies have taken their competition to court. It’s in the news that iControl has taken court action against Alarm.com for patent infringement. iControl has file a lawsuit against Alarm.com and FrontPoint Security, an Alarm.com customer in a district court in Virginia. IControl is seeking damages and an injunction to stop the further sale of the infringing Alarm.com and FrontPoint Security products.
AT&T has decided to get in on the home energy management action by indicating that they will be launching their own home energy management platform in the near future. Jeffery Dygert, the company’s Executive Director of Public Policy broke the news during a panel discussion on the Broadband Breakfast Club; moderated by GigaoM reporter Katie Fehrenbacher. Jeffery said they want to offer the solution so that its customers can get more information about the energy they use within the home.
Like Verizon and Rogers Cable, Swisscom is planning to offer a home automation and monitoring service to its Swiss customers. They have teamed up with iControl Networks, the provider of the OpenHome platform to develop the “Smart Living” solution for the Swiss and European markets. Both companies said through the Smart Living platform customers will be to stay connected with their home when away and be able to control home electrical appliances.
iControl Networks and uControl today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement. The merger combines the two market leaders in broadband home management, and promises to deliver a best-in-class solution that includes interactive home security, energy management and home health care solutions to broadband service providers, home security companies and utilities. The combined company has launched commercially with several service providers and will announce additional deployments in the near future.