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iPort: Wall-mounted home automation for iPad
I have already seen the iPad used in home automation -- Savant is using an iPad app to hook up to some of their home automation systems, using Apple's tablet to control the TV, a whole entertainment system, or even do some remote control of house lights or HVAC, or even monitor cameras remotely with a video feed. And here's another system that does the same type of thing: iPort is a home automation system centered around an iPad, providing an in-wall port where the iPad can both charge and work as a multi-use touchscreen control. On its own, it's basically just a wall-mounted dock, but in conjunction with a home automation system, the iPort turns the iPad into a touchscreen-based interface for the home. Prices on these things are always weird -- because most high-end home automation systems are sold as solutions rather than products, they tend to run into the "if you have to ask how much it is, you can't afford it" range. But I give the iPort folks a call, and they told me that while each dealer has their own setup and pricing, the recommended price is around $500. Some of you may scoff, sure -- $500 is a bit steep for what's essentially a port with a frame around it. But like Savant told me when I saw their products, the iPad is actually a revolution in this industry. For what the same-sized touchscreen interface with similar functionality would have cost a few years ago, sticking an iPad in a wall and building an app to control an automation system is actually a bargain. [via Macsimum News]
This in-wall iPod dock doubles as a home automation controller
Although we usually think it is crazy when an iPod dock costs more than the iPod, this new one from iPort is pretty slick. Rather than just be an in-wall iPod dock that gives those with whole home audio and automation controllers two-way interaction with your music, this one doubles as a control point. What you do is drop the iPod Touch or iPhone into the dock and slap on the magnetic face place -- which looks kinda funny with those squares on it. At this point you can not only access the music on the iPod, but you can also control your lights and other aspects of your home automation system from the same point -- a pretty good idea, we have to say. Not only does this reduce the number of in-wall devices, but we'd bet when the price is announced it'll be considerably less than the $1000+ that other in-wall touch screen controllers will run you -- not to mention capacitive instead of resistive.
iPort's in-wall iPod system gets upgraded with iPhone support
Though we'd have to say this introduction was made just a hair too late, iPort has just introduced a revamped version of its in-wall iPod system that will accommodate the original iPhone. More specifically, each of the firm's five models features a re-designed faceplate that plays nice with Apple's older cellphone and all existing touch-wheel iPods. Aside from that, you're still looking at the same whole home approach to distributing iPhone / iPod content, and while we can't say for sure that the iPhone 3G will work outright, there's nothing that a little Dremel can't fix. %Gallery-24853%
Russound licenses iPort technology, aims to bring iPods into whole home systems
As if the iPod wasn't ubiquitous enough, Russound has just licensed Dana Innovations' patented iPort concept and integrating technologies in an attempt to tie in Apple's darling with whole home AV systems. Apparently the company views said PMP as a "music server rather than a simple portable player," and now that the agreement is in place, we should see a slew of new kit designed with tight iPod integration in mind. Unfortunately, details beyond that are scant, but Charlie Porritt, Russound's vice president of sales, did note that the forthcoming products would be aimed at consumers "who treat their iPods as a primary source of entertainment in the home."
