Seeking to "change the way people manage their household electronics," Actiontec is getting set to unleash an outpouring of zControl products. We'd briefly heard about the firm's standalone unit that connects to the home router a few months back, but here at CES even more details are starting to flow. Apparently, Actiontec will be pushing out an entire series of Z-Wave-based wares "designed to centrally manage household electronics such as lights, security cameras, thermostats, motion detectors, garage door openers, motorized shades and automatic sprinklers through the home network." Furthermore, zControl will give owners the ability to dictate connected items remotely, and while we've no room to mention every piece of the forthcoming lineup, you should know that the zControl Starter Kit -- which includes a zControl unit, one indoor camera with motion detector, one lighting control module, and a remote control -- will be available next month for $399. Hit the read link for lots, lots more.

[Via eHomeUpgrade]

We really, really wish we knew a bit more about Actiontec's ZCHAV1, but our interest has been officially piqued, regardless. Following in the footsteps of a few niche products already announced, this "router accessory" claims to extend home networks to televisions, cellphones and "other devices," and it will reportedly enable users to "control all network components from any display platform." Granted, this firm is no newcomer to cranking out multifaceted networking gizmos, but it looks like we'll be playing the ole wait-and-see game with the zControl.

For those of you who happen to be in the predicament of owning a svelte hybrid cellular / WiFi phone, yet can't get cellphone service back in the boondocks where you reside, Actiontec is kicking out a range-extending router to help you make and receive calls on your mobile handset via WiFi. Touted as a "world's first," the Wireless FMC Router acts a standard four-port 802.11b/g/n router, supports WPA2 / WEP, and comes with a rather robust firewall to keep your conversations guarded from snoopers. Additionally, it facilitates call switching between the mobile and home WiFi networks as users move in and out of the house, giving you the option to connect via your cellular network or over VoIP with the same handset and same number. Aside from acting as a "middleman between the broadband and cellular networks," it can connect / drop from the WiFi / mobile networks on-the-fly while conversing, and can purportedly support "all major carriers" as well. So if you're thinking of consolidating the amount of phone numbers attached to your name, and don't mind picking up a hybrid handset, this multifaceted router will be able to simplify your conversations for $179.99 when it lands in Q2.

For the chosen few who have access to Verizon's FiOS fiber-optic broadband network, they're about to get quite the speed boost. The already bandwidth-generous service is getting a new 100Mbps option for home users with the help of a new router from Actiontec designed to Verizon's spec. 100Mbps speeds have been available to business customers for a while, but now Verizon is ready to spread the love to mere consumers, at least in select locations for now -- details are slim. The router, cleverly titled the MI-424-WR, includes wireless networking, a firewall and remote diagnostics tools to better assist consumers in administrating their new speedy networks. Verizon is also rolling out a new technology to allow the use of coaxial cable instead of Ethernet, to allow for easier home installations. This will speed and cheapen rollout, which means we'll hopefully see these types of speeds before they stick us in a nursing home.