Networking Briefs

By TWICE Staff -- TWICE, 1/26/2009

Lutron Goes Single Room

Coopersburg, Pa. — Lutron announced a single-room version of its RF-based RadioRA lighting-control system. The RadioRA-SR, due in the first quarter, enables integrated control of lights, lamps and motorized shades in one room from universal remotes, a wall-mounted keypad and other-brand home-automation systems. It comes with screw-in lamp modules to integrate any room lamp into the system.

iPort Upgrades Docks

San Clemente, Calif. — iPort launched its second-generation freestanding iPod docks and a dealer-installable hardware-software upgrade kit for its in-wall iPod docks. The new docks and upgrade kits are compatible with Apple’s latest round of software changes.

Upgrades available with the new docks and with the upgrade kit for the in-wall IW-2 dock include iPhone compatibility, component-video output, balanced audio and video output for higher-quality multi-room-A/V distribution, and improved preamplification. The IW-1 kit adds only charging capability for sixth-generation iPods and the latest iPhone.

The new $250 FS-21 and $500 FS-22 freestanding docks also feature new cosmetics. The upgrade kit for the in-wall IW-1 and IW-2 docks are $75 and $175, respectively.

Door Locks Networked

Orange County, Calif. — Black & Decker plans summertime availability of a series of keypad-equipped electronic door locks that integrate with Z-Wave home-control and security systems.

The Baldwin- and Kwikset-branded battery-operated locks will automatically lock when a Z-Wave security system is armed. When a door is unlocked, the locks will turn on lights and a whole-house music system and adjust climate-control settings. Different lighting, music and climate-control settings can be activated depending on the code entered into the door lock. Consumers will also be able to monitor and control door locks via security-system panels, handheld remotes, the Web and cellphones.