11.09.2009 — HomeLogic – one of those unsung heroes of home automation – is coming out with a new touchscreen interface that mimics the one it designed for the iPhone.

The company has always prided itself on offering the same look-and-feel of its interfaces across a full line of controllers: PCs, smart phones, universal remotes and its own touchscreens, to name a few.

The iPhone is no exception. And now, with the forthcoming software, HomeLogic is doing some reverse-design – applying iPhone-like flick technology to the company's own touchscreens.

"We're mimicking what people really enjoy about iPhone," says VP of marketing Joe Lautner.

Software Previewed at CE Pro 100 Summit

HomeLogic offered a sneak preview of the new platform during the recent CE Pro 100 Summit for some of the country's top home systems integrators.

Lautner demonstrated how users can flip through thermostats, music lists, rooms, A/V options and more (watch the video below). (Unlike the iPhone version, however, there is no pinch-to-zoom functionality.)

He also showed how quickly multiple devices sync up with each other. When Lautner changed the temperature setting from his iPhone, the HomeLogic touchscreen responded in about one second – and this with a poor WiFi connection.

"We pride ourselves in making it very quick and responsive," he says.

The new graphical user interface (GUI) will be standard with HomeLogic's new controller and touchscreen platforms that are expected to be available in Q2 2010.

Current HomeLogic users won't be left out.

"The new GUI works on all existing interface devices including PCs," Lautner says.

The new HomeLogic platform – also available for certain products from sister company Elan Home Systems – provides a wealth of other features, "most" of which will be supported on existing HomeLogic products via a software upgrade, Lautner explains.

"Features like some of the hard-button functionality and analog video on new touchscreens, and the on-screen display will be product-specific, but existing users can upgrade their hardware to get these features."

Interface Makes Sense for iPhone Junkies

HomeLogic isn't the first automation vendor to implement iPhone-like features for touchscreens -- Savant has the most advanced solution -- but there aren't many.

In any case, it appears HomeLogic is the first mid-market vendor with the feature set.

When the company first introduced its iPhone interface, Lautner says he was only remotely concerned about cannibalization of HomeLogic's own touchscreens. With the new interface, though, avid iPhone users just might spring for larger, in-wall (always on!) versions of their little handhelds.

iPhones themselves may make handy secondary devices for home control, but they're hardly ideal. You have to press too many buttons to get to your destination, and WiFi communications can be problematic.


Joe Lautner demonstrates HomeLogic's new interface, available in mid-2010.