Mainstreaming home automation

Recently, according to a WallStreet Journal article, a nearly unknown consumer company, Id8 Group R2 Studios, is going “mainstream” with home automation by possibly collaborating with three of technology’s biggest players: Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Finally, home automation, via mobile devices like cell phones and tablets, will become simpler and more affordable, according to experts.

This little-known company, founded by Blake Krikorian, founder of Slingbox debuted its only product in early 2011. “R2” is $99 software for Android devices that lets homeowners remotely control lights, thermostats, home theaters or other devices on a Crestron system.

The talks between R2 and these major corporations are said to be “preliminary” and may not go anywhere. None the less, we’re now seeing how crucial technologically controlling and “claiming the living room” has become.

The big three are already thinking about ways to tap into the living room, and the next logical step surely goes beyond media and entertainment. Both Google and Apple have already taken the first step to making their mobile devices more full-featured personal assistants. Apple has come a long way on the developments of its assistant Siri and Google’s version, Google Now.

Microsoft’s very vital Xbox franchise has made them a major player for video and gaming content and has its Kinect interface, a motion-controlled gaming console. And last year, it unveiled its Android@Home initiative, which enables various devices around the home to be controlled by mobile devices running Android. However, there are many areas for the company to tackle in the living room.

Apple has Apple TV and has plans for an actual television. But could Apple do more than just TV? Apple doesn’t make any home appliances itself, however, it has been very supportive of former executive Tony Fadell’s iPhone-controlled Nest thermostat, which it sells in Apple Stores. It also sells Phillips LED smart light bulbs, which use iOS technology and devices to control lights.

As we can see, a revolution is taking place in the home automation. The expensive and complex home automation solutions are now being replaced by cheaper and simpler solutions.

Apple is at the center of this revolution despite the fact that Apple is doing very little to promote any platform or news for home automation. It’s plausible that we can expect to be hearing about iPhone-controlled home automation in the next few years.

But how necessary is home automation? How do you know whether or not it’s even a practical tool for you? And with so much incompatible software and high expense, obviously home automation is still in its early stages of development. But technology changes quickly, which poses the question: when these devices and systems finally debut, will you want one? 

 

Technology journalists and bloggers are buzzing about this topic, such as Erica Ogg, senior writer at GigaOM. Ogg reports primarily on the Apple Inc. and its developments. Information about her can be found, here.