If Windows Vista's various desktop enhancements and purtifications haven't managed to get you excited about the new OS, don't write it off altogether just yet. The new "
SideShow" feature -- which allows for lightweight PC-powered functionality on a secondary display without actually booting or interrupting Windows -- has quite a bit of promise, and Lagotek's
home automation integration seems to be a good sign of things to come. Based on the upcoming version 3.0 of Lagotek's Home Intelligence Platform, the new home automation controls tie into Vista Media Center Edition and and allow you to select "scenes" via the SideShow interface for activating certain lighting, home entertainment and other automated functions. HIP works with wireless music systems like the Squeezebox, IP-enabled video cameras, and Z-wave lights and thermostats, while Z-wave RF mesh networking and 802.11g keep it all connected. So no big surprises on the automation front, but at least now you'll be able to use one of those nifty SideShow controls built into your
future laptop, desktop or remote instead of having to dedicate an entire PC interface to dimming the lights for those romantic dinner dates you've been having with your Wii.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
StinkyChinkie @ Dec 20th 2006 3:28PM
There is no "Vista Media Center Edition", phucknut. It's called just "Media Center" and it's built into the higher end editions of Vista (Home Premium, Ultimate, etc.)
david @ Dec 20th 2006 4:08PM
Uh, yeah . . . that's EXACTLY what I want . . . a Windows OS controlling stuff in my house. [Cut to conversation]
Me: Honey, why'd you turn the lights out?!
Wife: I didn't, they turned themselves off.
Me: Did you program them to do that?
Wife: No! . . . . Why is the temperature in here so cold? Did you set the thermostat lower?
Me: No! Honey, why does the the garbage disposal keep cycling on and off?
Wife: What?
Me: Ah, I better re-boot the home automation software again.
PC: "Dave . . . I don't want to be re-booted."
Alcaron @ Dec 20th 2006 5:00PM
lol phucknut...hahahahaha
Seriously though this with media center would be awesome...having the ability to hit play on a movie and it will automatically dim your lights and bump the temp up a couple degrees would be awesome...
Intrepid @ Dec 20th 2006 7:51PM
I think that SideShow could be just what the industry needs. Something new in the way of gadgets thats designed to work with existing products, not around them.
japc126 @ Dec 21st 2006 11:23PM
did anyone else noticed David's reference to 2001: A Space Odyssey? or am I getting old?
Bob Winston @ May 27th 2007 7:02PM
I'm looking for an economical wired or wireless full home automation system for my home in Everett, WA.
I've looked into Lagotek and a few others, but am still undecided at this point.
Any suggestions would be great.
thks much
Tarry @ Aug 11th 2008 2:26AM
This is great news!
http://www.chasetheglow.com
Tarry @ Aug 11th 2008 2:27AM
This is great news!
http://www.chasetheglow.com