03.18.2007 — The old Viewsonic V210 was the Web tablet of choice for such home automation vendors as Crestron and Fusion Research. Now the company is offering its next-generation mobile touchscreen, the V212, bundled with Z-Wave-enabled home control software from ControlThink.

The V212 is "better, faster and stronger" than its predecessor, says senior product manager Dan Woodward. "It has a better processor, increased memory and the next OS [Windows CE v5.0]. The video co-processors can now stream video."

Additionally, the new Web tablet offers a Compact Flash slot and consumer IR. The V210 required an 802.11/IR adapter to control IR gear such as A/V components.

The basic V212 retails for $1,499, but for $100 more you can get a Z-Wave adapter that screws into the back of the unit. A version bundled with ControlThink software will be sold through distribution.

ControlThink is an affordable automation system that automatically registers Z-Wave devices plugged into the network. Once recognized by the software, device icons can be dragged onto a floor plan for monitoring and control of lights, thermostats and other gear.

Win CE is plenty powerful to run the software. "ControlThink has tested their software solution on the V212," Woodward says.

With built-in 802.11b/g, IR, Z-Wave and ControlThink software, "We can be the super-remote. We can be the access to the server or PC in the backroom," says Woodward. "On top of that, drop the tablet onto the dock for streaming video. You can cruise YouTube."