All Articles Tagged Cloud

Rachel Cericola | 05/21 08:40 AM, 0 Comments

We recently mentioned that home automation is on the rise. Electric Imp is hoping to further that trend by announcing Imp, a cloud-based home automation system. Imp says it is “a new approach to monitoring and controlling real things using the Internet.” It’s basically a little user-installable card that can be put into almost any product. The card includes both Wi-Fi and an embedded processor, which allows the device to talk to other devices and communicate with users and services via the Internet. Once the device is connected, a user… View this story

Jason Knott | 04/17 09:00 AM, 1 Comment

The trend is clear: Physical media for audio is dying a slow death as more consumers embrace digital music, from downloads to storage to Cloud-based solutions. For Mokena, Ill.-based The Little Guys, a CE Pro 100 company, that trend has become a reality. That’s why David Wexler has become the first to install a new pre-packaged education and demo area from The Lenbrook Group. It’s called the Digital Music Experience Center (DMEC), and Wexler carved out a 475-square-foot area in his specialty retail showroom for the DMEC to educate and… View this story

Jason Knott | 04/03 08:33 AM, 0 Comments

Interface Security Systems, LLC has completed a merger with Westec Intelligent Surveillance, Inc. based in Coppell, Texas. Westec is one of the nation's largest full-service video surveillance monitoring companies, while Interface specializes in IP managed cloud services and cloud-based managed physical and logical service. The companies claim the merger creates the only nationwide managed service provider of security solutions (alarm, video, access control) along with VoIP and secure broadband in a cloud-based architecture. Westec and Interface customers are concentrated in the retail, QSR (quick-service restaurant) and hospitality industries. "Our customers… View this story

Julie Jacobson | 04/02 09:16 AM, 3 Comments

2Gig, which sells more than 300,000 self-contained security panels per year, is adding a unique feature to its Go!Control systems: built-in DVR capabilities. The company demonstrated the solution during the International Security Conference (ISC West 2012) in Las Vegas. A self-contained security panel is one that includes the security processor, keypad/interface, sensor hub, back-up battery and (usually) built-in GSM module for cellular communications with the central station. Normally, all that is needed is a power source. In addition, most self-contained panels today also include home automation capabilities, with built-in Z-Wave… View this story

Grant Clauser | 03/14 07:10 AM, 6 Comments

Walmart wants to be your movie server in the cloud, the digital bin where users store all DVDs for access on all Internet-connected devices. Walmart, in conjunction with Vudu, has launched an in-store program that turns DVDs into digital cloud-stored copies which, presumably, would be accessible over tablets, smartphones, smart TVs and more. Walmart acquired Vudu in Feb. 2010. Walmart, which has support from major movie studios such as Fox, Paramount, Sony, Universal and Warner Bros., the service will launch on April 16, 2012 in 3,500 stores. The back catalogs… View this story

Robert Archer | 03/12 10:20 AM,

Not too long ago 3D was the hot consumer electronics technology, and now it appears that cloud computing has taken over as the new hot technology in 2012. Driven by Apple, as well as other computer and IT companies, consumers are quickly learning about the benefits of cloud computing and how these technologies can help them with their work and playtime activities. The California-based manufacturer Akitio recently introduced its MyCloud Mini personal cloud server into the market and the product is designed to provide homeowners with an UPnP compatible solution… View this story

Julie Jacobson | 02/28 08:20 AM, 6 Comments

Alarm.com, one of the original providers of cloud-based home automation, is introducing perhaps the smartest thermostat ever, the new “Smart Schedule” system. It learns the comings and goings of the family and adjusts the temperature automatically based on a household’s activity patterns. “For most households, we’re able to put together a pretty accurate profile,” says Alison Slavin, co-founder and VP product management for Alarm.com, which was founded in 2000 and now boasts about 1 million monitored accounts. Only thing is, this “smart thermostat” isn’t a hockey puck on the wall.… View this story

Rachel Cericola | 01/09 03:09 PM, 0 Comments

Last week Onkyo announced a strategic partnership with Gibson Guitar, now it's cranking up its 2012 receivers with cloud storage. Onkyo has announced plans to partner with MP3tunes.com, giving Onkyo owners access to the service’s cloud-based Locker that provides up to 2GB of music storage absolutely free. That 2GB should hold about 400 of your favorite songs. If that type of storage isn’t going to cut it, there are fee-based accounts, which start at $39.95 per year for 50GB. Once your music is in the cloud, it can be streamed… View this story

Steven Castle | 01/09 01:11 PM, 0 Comments

Big-box chain Lowe’s has announced it will sell a cloud-based home management system called Iris that allows customers the ability to monitor and control their home from anywhere by using a smartphone or computer. Iris will be introduced in mid-2012 in selected stores and on Lowes.com. The system will be based on U.K.-based company AlertMe’s Smart Home platform and home hub. AlertMe provides home energy management and connected home services both to consumers and through partners such as utilities, telecommunications companies and retailers. Lowe’s Iris system will include energy and… View this story

Jason Knott | 01/06 11:14 AM, 4 Comments

Savant Systems has announced iTunes Match compatibility for Savant SmartSystem controllers. iTunes Match is a subscription service available from Apple that, via compatibility with the Savant environment, enables users to automatically sync music and playlists between their home computer, any compatible iOS devices and their Savant system. This means that both transfer and access of music files is easier, including music purchased from iTunes, CDs imported from a personal collection, or purchased from another online service. Subscribers will benefit from a seamless interface - playlists from computers or iOS devices… View this story