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Erector Set + Smart Phone = DIY Robot
Turning the original “maker” kit, the Erector Set, into a smart phone operated robot is what Spin Master (the company behind the popular Air Hogs brand) has done with its Meccano- brand, Meccanoid G15 and G 15KS. As would be expected for this type of iconic brand, a big part of the enjoyment is the…
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Smart Home Starts with a Wink
In the 60s era show Bewitched, Samantha, the young-looking witch, could do some amazing things with just a twitch of the nose. It is getting to the point where the magic powers she displayed, are almost reality. Now, with a Wink and maybe an Echo, a mere mortal can command their home to adjust to their…
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Energy Savings with a Smart Vent #CES2015
What good is a smart thermostat if you can’t control the temperature in a given room? Ecovent Systems has developed a clever way to remotely set per room temperature with an app-controlled vents that open and close to set temperatures on a room-by-room basis. Unlike traditional approaches, these vents, coupled with their temperature sensors, are…
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Wire as a Complement to Wireless in the Home Network
As last mile bandwidth continues to increase, it will be increasingly important for operators to ensure that the home network isn’t a bottleneck. When and where bottlenecks occur will depend on the home network and the types and numbers of applications and devices consumers use. In the above interview, Rob Gelphman, Vice President of Marketing and Member…
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The Contractor’s Role in the Smart Home
The remodel market is huge with one estimate suggesting that the total annual revenue from professional-led (i.e. contractor, not Do It Yourself) remodels amounts to $176B. The contractor has a huge influence on the details of a home remodel and the product choices the homeowner makes. As consumers become more aware of the technologies that make the…
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Partnerships Critical to Connected Home Success
“The audience as well as the panelists agreed that partnerships were critical to success in the connected home,” according to Tom Kerber Director of Research for Parks Associates. He was referring to the panel he moderated at the 2015 CONNECTIONS™ Conference and how different skill sets will be required to manage and create the best consumer experience.…
