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Savant: iPad Will Redefine Home Automation
Apple’s iPad
Will the 9.7-inch screen tablet impact home automation?
Will it benefit Savant, an Apple Proprietary Solutions Provider, which already leverages Apple’s popularity with its Rosie control app?
Savant’s responses: yes and yes.
“When we look back on this two years from now, we’re going to say this was a watershed event, not just for Savant but for the industry in general,” says Savant president Jim Carroll.
“The days of making margins on expensive touchpanels are winding down,” according to Carroll. He says consumers will see the iPad as having “the same or similar touch hardware” to other control offerings.
"This is a fundamentally different business model that we all have to adapt to," Carroll says. "I think Savant is in position No. 1 in terms of how we can apply it, how we can use it and how it fits into our total solution relative to the legacy guys.”
Forget Hardware
Carroll draws parallels to how computer and video products have been commoditized.
“We sell a lot of hardware. We sell it to support our software — but it’s really about the software features and capabilities,” he says.
Carroll predicts the iPad, which will range between $499 and $829, will become the relatively inexpensive hardware platform for home control software.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs said most existing iPhone apps work with the iPad. Carroll confirms that Savant’s Rosie home control app works on the iPad.
Savant, however, will soon launch a new app certified specifically for the iPad. “We can’t give a lot of specifics,” Carroll says. “We’re going to do some pretty cool things and take advantage of the additional real estate.”
Carroll sees home automation becoming more affordable.
“The days of living strictly off hardware margins are numbered. If anyone thinks they can hold onto that model, they’re going to be extinct — a dinosaur," he says. "The majority of our dealers understand that. They look to us for help to figure out what their business model needs to be moving forward.”
Carroll realizes that many CE pros will be reluctant to adjust their business models so dramatically, but he emphasizes that it’s essential.
Apple iPad
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News · Home Automation and Control · Control Systems · Universal Remotes ·About the Author
18 Comments (displayed in order by date/time)
look at the blinders “Kob” aka Mr. Control4 has. Quite honestly there is a price point and a buyer for every control system out there. The people who are buying SAVANT are obviously not concerned about the cost but the overall performance and package (based upon your comment that it is so expensive). BTW, how would you know that Control4 is better built Kob? You apparently can’t afford the equipment. Control4 has its limitations and if you don’t want to be forward with them, I am sure other forum members will be more than happy to expose them. Bottom line, there is plenty of competition and enough buyers in each price category to keep this market growing.
Good point, how would Kob know that Control4 is better built than SAVANT if he can’t afford the equipment be cause it’s soooo expensive. Kob, you better hope that Control4 doesn’t go under or your going to be stuck with Universal Remote as a home automation alternative.
Ironic is right. The Savant systems are so expensive and not worth the extra money especially over the Control4 systems. Advertising a “free app” for the iPad is not really a true representation for the amount you will spend to use their app. Their equipment is sooo expensive. Go Control4 is better quality and pricing - and great apps!