Control4, perhaps best known for its iconic (static) home page, is letting dealers get a little groovy with their home automation systems.

At CEDIA Expo 2009, Control4 is showing OS 2.0, which allows integrators to design their own GUIs, at least to some extent.

"There's more flexibility and personalization around the GUI," says Control4 president Glen Mella. "We've always been the guys with one default screen. Now, if you want just TV and music in a room, then you can do that level of customization."

During a sneak preview before CEDIA, John Yoon, director of marketing demonstrated a "global" thermostat view, in which users could navigate through all of the home's thermostats.

Previously, you had to back in and out of the various rooms to get to each thermostat.

You can change icons and backgrounds, using your own, or the options that Control4 provides.

Biker chick that…

Schlage's new Z-Wave-enabled door lock is what this industry's been missing.

We first announced in May that Schlage was developing a wireless electronic lock that communicates with the Internet via a Z-Wave gateway.

The company demonstrated the solution for the first time here at CEDIA Expo 2008.

It's nice. It's what this industry needs – an easy way to lock and unlock the doors from a cell phone, the Internet, a key fob, or a button by your bed stand.

At only $199 retail, it's just $50 or $60 more than traditional electronic deadbolts and lever locks.

But that's not exactly what Schlage is promoting. The company has created a complete Web-enabled home-control system that enables remote access to lights, thermostats, surveillance cameras, and other automated devices including Schlage locks.

The Web service is called Schlage Link, and the company plans…

DENVER -- CEDIA (Booth #472) -- September 4, 2008 -- The Z-Wave Alliance, an open consortium of leading global companies dedicated to building products based on Z-Wave, today announced that Black & Decker has joined the Z-Wave Alliance and will soon offer new Z-Wave-enabled residential access control solutions marketed under the Baldwin, Kwikset, and Weiser Lock brands.

"Black & Decker is a recognized name in residential security products and an important addition to the Z-Wave Alliance and our growing global ecosystem," said Mark Walters, chairman of the Z-Wave Alliance. "Z-Wave certification guarantees interoperability with CEDIA brands such as Leviton, Cooper, Lagotek and Superna, along with middle market brands that will reach the retail, service provider and security markets. We have been making significant inroads into the residential access and security market, and we're confident that with Black & Decker's addition we will accelerate the global adoption of Z-Wave even further."

Black & Decker will be offering a sneak peek of its residential access…

Worthington Distribution is one of those rare distributors that helps dealers create affordable integrated solutions by mixing and matching products from a variety of vendors.

At CEDIA 2008, the company will highlight several new products that communicate using two-way RF mesh networking technology from Z-Wave.

Worthington demonstrates how low-cost remotes and touchscreens can be used to operate lights, thermostats, motorized drapes and other wireless devices in the home.

IES Touch Screen

Z-Wave RF mesh networking technology runs throughout Worthington's display.

Controlling much of the Z-Wave gear is a new two-way interactive touchscreen, the EasyTouch-S Touch Screen from IES. Worthington has customized the touchscreen in-house with a graphical interface designed to make programming a snap, according to Barry Hampe of Worthington Distribution's technical support group.

The installer simply names devices, rooms, scenes and schedules, and then types in the Z-Wave node for each device. The…

CEDIA 2007 - September 5, 2007 - ControlThink today announced its new ThinkRemote platform, providing PC and accessory manufacturers the ability to create mass-market Microsoft Windows SideShow-enabled remote controls using Z-Wave, the industry-standard wireless technology for home control and automation.

PC and accessory manufacturers can now create affordable Windows Media Center remote controls as well as other Windows SideShow-enabled devices-while leveraging Z-Wave wireless mesh technology to deliver personalized information such as weather and stock quotes to anywhere in the home.

"We're excited that ControlThink and the Z-Wave Alliance are bringing to market a platform that will help CE manufacturers around the world take advantage of Windows SideShow technology while enabling a new price point for devices," said Bill Mitchell, Corporate Vice President of the PC|3 Division of Microsoft.

Benefits of the Z-Wave enabled ThinkRemote platform include:

- Manufacturers can create affordable, mass-market Windows SideShow-enabled remotes, including built-in support for Windows Media Center

…

CEDIA 2007 - Wednesday, September 5 - The Z-Wave Alliance is kicking off CEDIA 2007 with a host of Z-Wave-enabled product launches, new member announcements, manufacturers product training sessions and the Z-Wave Lounge, an invitation-only networking event where you can get a hands-on demonstration of many of the Z-Wave enabled products at CEDIA.

"The momentum around Z-Wave continues to build," said Mark Walters, chairman of the Z-Wave Alliance. "There were 35 new Z-Wave certified products announced in the third quarter of this year, with another 44 in the pipeline for Q4 - a huge accomplishment that speaks to the continued dominance of Z-Wave in the wireless home control and automation industry."

Following are some of the highlights coming out of the Z-Wave Alliance at the show:

- Eight New Alliance Members - During CEDIA 2007, the Z-Wave Alliance officially welcomes its newest members: BTX Window Automation, Inc.; Del Motorized Solutions; Digeo Interactive, LLC; Digital Delivery Group; Draper, Inc.; France…

PRESS RELEASE

CEDIA 2007 – Thursday, September 6 – The Z-Wave Alliance is kicking off CEDIA 2007 with a host of Z-Wave-enabled product launches, new member announcements, manufacturers product training sessions and the Z-Wave Lounge, an invitation-only networking event where you can get a hands-on demonstration of many of the Z-Wave enabled products at CEDIA.

“The momentum around Z-Wave continues to build,” said Mark Walters, chairman of the Z-Wave Alliance. “There were 35 new Z-Wave certified products announced in the third quarter of this year, with another 44 in the pipeline for Q4 -- a huge accomplishment that speaks to the continued dominance of Z-Wave in the wireless home control and automation industry.”

Following are some of the highlights coming out of the Z-Wave Alliance at the show:

Eight New Alliance Members -- During CEDIA 2007, the Z-Wave Alliance officially welcomes its newest members: BTX Window Automation, Inc.; Del Motorized Solutions; Digeo Interactive, LLC; Digital Delivery Group;…

DENVER, CO (September 5, 2007) --HomeSettings from Intermatic, the first to launch a complete line of Z-Wave enabled home controls, announced today at CEDIA the addition of three new products to the 2008 line-up. For electronic contractors and installers looking for the latest in affordable wireless home controls, the HomeSettings line includes switches, dimmers and plug-in devices that will interoperate with other Z-Wave enabled products.

New products include:

HA14 600Watt In-Wall Dimmer – Supports 3-way configurations, easy-to-use and works with any HomeSettings remote control or as a standard dimmer.

HA18 15-Ampere Wall Switch – Sustains 3-way configurations and no-stress installation. Operates with any HomeSettings remote control or as a standard wall switch and is compatible with compact fluorescent bulbs.

HA20 600Watt Toggle-Style Dimmer – Same features as HA14, except toggle-style.

"Intermatic is the leading manufacturer for reliable home automation products and HomeSettings has once again expanded our already comprehensive array of…

PRESS RELEASE

IRVINE, CA September 5, 2007 -- Hawking Technologies, Inc., a leading developer of innovative home automation, wireless networking and security solutions for home and business users, introduces a new line of HomeRemote Z-Wave modules and devices. Hawking Technologies’ award winning HomeRemote Home Automation System uses Z-Wave wireless technology, Wi-Fi and broadband internet to enable control of home lighting and appliances from a cellular phone or internet web browser.

The HomeRemote System also delivers live video from HomeRemote cameras directly to cellular phones using the HomeRemote Cell Link service. The new line of HomeRemote modules and devices adds to the number of possible applications supported by the HomeRemote System. The new line includes:

HRLM1 – HomeRemote Wireless Dimming Lamp Plug-in Module
HRAM1 – HomeRemote Wireless Electrical Appliance Plug-In Module
HRDS1 – HomeRemote Wireless Door / Window Sensor
HRMD1 – HomeRemote Wireless Motion Detector

Hawking Technology’ HomeRemote System takes advantage of Z-Wave’s power conserving,…

BELLEVUE, WA, August 30th, 2007…Lagotek announced version 3.3 of its Home Intelligence Platform (HIP), which allows home owners to control their Lagotek home system with their cell phone. In addition to controlling the house, home owners can view what is going on in their homes from anywhere in the world.

Integration with Lagotek’s new universal distribution device, the Lagotek HIP 25, and coupled with media browsing, makes it easy to distribute and access audio, provide infrared (IR) and RS232 control throughout the house over Ethernet. With added intercom functionality, control of irrigation systems, IR control for audio/video equipment, Mode editor capability, support for DSC security panels and RCS thermostats (both Z-Wave and RS-232), Lagotek provides compelling differentiation to both new construction and remodeling markets.

CEO of Lagotek Eugene Luskin states, “The features offered by version 3.3 make Lagotek’s system one of the most advanced Home Automation solutions available today and its cell phone integration makes it stand out in the crowd. With its…