Control4 greeted CEDIA Expo attendees today with the OS2.8 version of its home-control operating system, which adds a completely revamped user interface, new security and music-streaming capabilities, and new tools to monitor and personalize access to the home.
With the update, the HC-250 and HC-800 multizone-audio controllers stream Pandora, Deezer and the CD-quality Tidal services, joining Rhapsody, Napster and TuneIn. The Deezer integration will feature Deezer Premium+ and will be available globally, except for the U.S. in the near term, the company said.
The update also adds a consistent user interface across all streaming services, deeper programming including thumbs up/down control, and ability to stream multiple favorite stations simultaneously to different rooms throughout the house. The update also adds native support for Airplay-enabled devices to the HC-800 so that anyone can share music from iOS phones and tablets, and from computers running iTunes, to different zones throughout the home.
In security, multiple new features include Mockupancy, which makes a house looked lived-in while occupants are away. Mockupancy remembers the daily routines of a household and plays back the routines while people are away. Mockupancy can coordinate lighting, shades, and even TV entertainment and music streaming to mimic normal household presence.
Also new:
• Improved drivers that let dealers integrate Control4 systems more easily with security panels from Honeywell, DSC, Interlogix, and Napco. The drivers automate more aspects of home security configuration.
• The ability for dealers to back up and retrieve Control4 smart-home configurations to and from the cloud.
• A new user interface to arm or disarm a security system and get emergency help with a single tap directly on a touchscreen, TV remote, tablets, or smartphone.
• A new iOS and Android user interface to manage smart locks.
• A new single interface with a consolidated view to simplify management of all security zones, including the ability to close a gate or a garage door with a single tap.
• A new searchable event history that records security incidents to provide a sequenced look at activity.
