B&O Tightens Integration
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – Bang & Olufsen went to Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) to integrate its audio and video products with major homecontrol systems.
The company updated its product portfolio to add direct IP control and announce B&O-supported drivers to enable two-way communication with and control from major-brand home-automation systems. The development means B&O’s $1,795 BeoLink Gateway isn’t needed now for third-party two-way status and control, and programming is simpler, a spokesperson said.
When used with B&O’s BeoLink Gateway, however, B&O apps control the homeautomation systems connected to B&O’s A/V products.
The company also said that in upgrading its gateway, B&O is among the first A/V companies adopting the IFTTT (If This Then That) programming option, which lets users combine such actions as “if the air is bad, start the ventilation,” or “if the outdoor temperature is high, switch on the garden sprinklers,” the company said.
The NCC Plans Hub
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The NCC, which markets electrical accessories under the licensed Stanley and Westinghouse brands, plans to step up its activity in the smarthome market with the planned launch of its first home-automation hub.
The Link hub will control the company’s indoor and outdoor smart plugs, which plug into existing electrical outlets and are controlled from RF remotes.
The hub will enable smartphone control via Wi-Fi of the company’s Stanley- and Westinghouse-brand wireless remote-controlled wall plugs.
The hub will be unveiled at the May 5-7 National Hardware Show and be available by the end of the third quarter. It’s positioned as a more affordable option compared with other home-automation hubs.
The company’s other Stanley and Westinghouse products include power strips, surge protectors, extension cords, indoor and outdoor timers, and remote-controlled indoor and outdoor electrical outlets.
Control4 Adds Products, Upgrades OS
SALT LAKE CITY — Control 4 unveiled its smart-home OS 2.7 and multiple products compatible with it, including a new wireless thermostat, new in-wall and tabletop touchscreens with HD video intercom, and a handheld remote.
The company also unveiled an upgraded iOS and Android app that sets up a complete home-control system but has also been optimized to speed up one-room home-entertainment installs, a spokesman said. The original app was launched last year to reduce setup time for large whole-home systems to hours from days and make one-room setups 70 percent faster compared with programming via laptop. The new app will further accelerate setup of a one-room home-entertainment system.
The new version of the app will be available for download on March 24.
Creston Adds Proximity Sensor, Pyng Upgrade
ROCKLEIGH, N.J.– Creston shipped its first Bluetooth proximity-detection beacon for installed home-automation systems, enabling Apple smartphones and tablets to automatically display controls for the room that a user enters.
Crestron’s PinPoint beacon plugs into a USB charging outlet to communicate with nearby mobile iOS devices.
The company also expanded the capabilities of its Pyng control hub and app to enable set up of Crestron multiroom-audio systems via an Apple tablet app instead of through a laptop to reduce setup time. The upgraded app and hub will be available in March.
The Pyng app and hub reduce setup time and boost margins by letting installers use tablets rather than laptops to configure installer-grade home-automation products equipped with the company’s infiNET EX wireless mesh-network technology. They include lighting products, motorized shades, thermostats, occupancy sensors, and door locks.
