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Leviton Brings Gigabit Networking Home (ebuild)

Leviton, the leader in residential networking, and North America's largest producer of electrical and electronic wiring devices, has expanded its structured cabling offering with the addition of the industry's first gigabit-speed home networking solution. Leviton's integrated Gigabit Network System enables today's homeowners to benefit from a superior high-speed networking capability that supports both current and future technologies, such as the latest in multi-player gaming consoles, NAS network drives, high-end media servers, high-speed networking devices, and other home technologies.

Lutron Sivoia QS Eliminates Need for Additional Interfaces While Integrating Electric Light with Natural Light (ebuild)

Lutron Electronics introduces Sivoia QS, the company's most recent advancement in natural lighting control technology, allowing for seamless integration of electric light and daylight without the use of additional interfaces. Shades and lights can be controlled together through Lutron's GRAFIK Eye QS or via SeeTouch QS keypads. This next generation of ultra-quiet, precision control for Lutron Shading Solutions enhances design, and adds flexibility at any stage of a project.

Superna Announces Compatibility with NuVo Multi-room Audio Systems (ebuild)

Superna, Inc, the first company to fully leverage standard Ethernet networks to provide home control, whole-house digital media distribution and home automation, announced that the Superna Digital Home is now fully compatible with all NuVo Technologies multi-room audio distribution products and solutions. Via the RS232 protocol, Superna now can control NuVo's Grand Concerto and Essentia multi-room audio systems, as well as perform transport control for any sources connected to them. Superna also can display metadata from Grand Concerto and Essentia sources.

Honeywell Releases New 6271 Graphic Touchcenter Keypads (ebuild)

Honeywell today announced the release of the new 6271 Graphic TouchCenter Keypads. With the 6271, dealers can offer all of their residential and commercial customers affordable touchscreens featuring brilliant, full-color displays with home-screens that can be customized with a family photo, central station phone number--even their own logo. Additional benefits include convenient voice prompts that guide end-users through emergencies and menu-driven prompts and icons for easy navigation. Advanced functions like lighting or garage door control provide an excellent upsell opportunity.

Wired Kitchen (REMODELING Magazine)

The Digital Kitchen Study surveyed more than 600 homeowners to understand the role of the kitchen in 2007 and to determine what technology and services best suit their needs.

Home Director and Peak8 Solutions Form Exclusive Partnership (ebuild)

Home Director, Inc., a provider of reliable infrastructure, entertainment, and control products for the Connected Home market, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Peak8 Solutions whereby Home Director will be the exclusive supplier of the Peak8 service platform to new production homes. The Peak8 service platform improves the homeowner's on-going experience with digital lifestyle products such as PCs, mobile devices, consumer electronics, and home networks by solving problems that sometimes occur - creating a new level of customer satisfaction for homeowners in developments using Home Director products and technologies.

5 Things You Should Know About Home Controls (DIGITAL HOME MAGAZINE)

If there's one thing you can count on in the whirlwind market of home automation, it's change. You can be sure that today's intelligent home controls will be smarter, cheaper and easier to use tomorrow. Wireless technologies are expanding the market for sophisticated control, while more affordable solutions are lowering the cost of entry. Meanwhile, new regulations and technology breakthroughs continue to add to the list of household functions that can benefit from automation. Here's a look at five things you need to know about home controls today.

5 Things You Should Know About Home Controls (DIGITAL HOME MAGAZINE)

Home Automation Inc. (HAI) Releases 2.15 Version Firmware (ebuild)

HAI, the leading manufacturer of integrated automation and security products since 1985, has released Version 2.15 controller firmware for its Omni and Lumina home control systems. HAI's award-winning OmniPro II and Lumina Pro home control systems now offer support for audio systems from NuVo, Xantech, Speakercraft, and Proficient. The NuVo Grand Concerto, Essentia, and Simplese; Xantech MRC-88; Speakercraft MZC; and Proficient M4 and M6 audio systems have been added to HAI's audio connectivity list, joining the NuVo Concerto, Russound CAM, CAV, CAA-66, and CAS44 audio systems. The Hi-Fi by HAI audio system from HAI can connect to any of HAI's home control systems.

MVP Award Winner: Home Heartbeat Wireless Home Monitoring System (BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine)

Eaton. Who hasn't left the house and then wondered if some appliance was left plugged in or the garage door was still open? The Home Heartbeat wireless home monitoring system can allay those worries--and others. It even can be set up to check on water leaks. The system "provides a sense of security that unforeseen calamities can be recognized early," a judge noted. The homeowner can receive information by text messaging, e-mail, the Internet, or the system's portable Home Key programming device. Setting up the system takes less than 15 minutes, the firm claims. The starter pack consists of the base station, a Home Key, and a sensor that checks whether a door or window is open or closed. Optional sensors include ones that check on motion, water, and whether an appliance is drawing power. Also optional is a water shutoff controller that cuts off the main water supply line if a major leak is detected. Cost: $184.99 for the starter pack. 800-386-1911.