Embedded Automation
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Engadget HD delves into Home Automation with mPanel review
If you've always though the idea of Home Automation was cool, but thought it was too expensive, you should head over to Engadget HD as they check out the first affordable Home Automation in-wall touch panel from Embedded Automation -- of course we use the word affordable very loosely around here, as there's nothing cheap about a $1000 7-inch touch screen, but compared to the $7000 panels out there, it's a steal. To find out what we liked, other than the price, ease of install, openness, and out of the box experience, click on through to the HD side.
Embedded Automation's mPanel Review
We just love the idea of having a connected home where every device in our house -- you know, like the HDTV -- is integrated together. Unfortunately for the most part, the connected home is financially out of our reach -- as it is for most Americans. Affordability is one of the reasons why we've keep our eye on Embedded Automation and its new mPanel in particular. While most 7-inch in-wall touch panels cost at least $3,000 (some as much as $7,000!), the new mPanel hit the streets last week at $999. This might not seem cheap in the world of netbooks and $200 Blu-ray players that we usually cover at Engadget, but it does bring a cool gadget into our price range. The mPanel seems like even more of a deal when you consider that it is a full-on Windows CE touch screen computer that does POE (Power over Ethernet) and even has a built in amplifier for audio. Of course it is only one of many pieces necessary to bring our dreams of a connected home to reality, but one we definitely enjoyed putting through the paces. %Gallery-34815%
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mControl adds two-way control of Vista Media Center and Extenders
We really love when our favorite gadgets come together and today Embedded Automation posted a new plug-in (beta) that allows mControl to have two-way control of Vista Media Center and its Extenders. mControl is Windows software that will link together all your connected devices like say your lights, security system, thermostats, IP WiFi cameras, all your HT gear -- via IR or RS-232 -- and now Vista Media Center. If your imagination hasn't already starting running wild think about this; someone rings your doorbell, Battlestar Galactica pauses and a message box pops up on your HDTV, so you click the remote and now your viewing your front door camera. Until recently you had to be Bill Gates to have this kind'a stuff at your house, but thanks to companies like mControl, it's a reality even if you're on a budget. Another picture after the jump.
Embedded Automation launches mServer for home control
It seems we've been on the verge of home automation for the past couple decades, but for some reason those dang consumers have stuck with their "Clap On Clap Off" light fixtures and continue to open the door for themselves instead of stepping into the future. We're not sure if Embedded Automation's new mServer product for home automation will make a difference, but it sure has the feature set to give it a decent shot. The product can work via a PC browser, Media Center Extender, and also can be managed remotely over the internets. With the system you can manage lights, security, HVAC, IP cams, irrigation and IR devices all with a bit of plain-jane home networking, and it's interoperable with protocols like Z-Wave, INSTEON and products like Elk security, Axis cameras and Global Cache network adapters. Sounds like good fun, but the $1,400 pricetag might curb your enthusiasm.[Via Chris Lanier's Blog]
