Anuva Automation announced an update for the TiO Home app that’s said to correct issues caused by an automatic Android 6.0 update released last week. “The unexpected issue of the Android auto-updates was discovered last week and our team identified the problem while implementing a fix in less than 24 hours,” said Anuva President Sanjay Patel. The app also enables new features including contact closure functionality, infrared remote control and IP camera management, the company said. Additional upgrades for TiO 3.0 include lighting controls and audio integration, adding support for Rhapsody and SiriusXM Internet radio, Anuva said.
URC announced availability of two-way control drivers for Denon HEOS and CasaTunes multi-room music platforms that integrate with URC’s Total Control home automation system. The HEOS driver enables browse and play functions within HEOS-supported music services and allows users to manage the music queue and grouping of players, observe now-playing status with metadata and provide two-way operation of transport controls, volume and playlists, said URC. The CasaTunes two-way control driver allows users to browse, search by artist, album or song in a current music service or across all services and provides the ability to send multiple streams of music from iOS devices to CasaTunes, said URC. The CasaTunes driver also enables users to trigger macros using device events, the company said.
On Controls added Powerline Control Systems to its Partners in Control cooperative program. Under the program, Powerline Control Systems’ lighting and electrical control devices will have seamless compatibility with other manufacturers’ connected devices covering the audio, video, HVAC, security and lighting control categories, On Controls said. The company’s PulseWorx driver works with Universal Power Bus devices, enabling integrators to address clients’ lighting control needs “within a wide array of price points,” it said.
D-Link began shipping two wide-view HD Wi-Fi cameras with 180-degree field of view, the company said. The wide viewing angle enables users to see an entire room using a single camera, the company said. Features of the 720p DCS-960L ($159) include sound and motion detection, a microSD Card slot for local recording and night vision recording at up to 16 feet in complete darkness via built-in infrared LEDs. The 1080p DCS-2630L ($199) adds two-way audio between parties, D-Link said. The microSD card slot allows local recording to the camera to free up Internet bandwidth, the company said. Recording modes can be continuous, triggered or scheduled, it said.
Comcast's Xfinity Home customers can now use the Xfinity Home app to control a variety of third-party devices like August's Smart Lock, Chamberlain's MyQ garage controller, Lutron's Caseta wireless light controller and dimmer, and Nest Learning's thermostat. The aim is a " 'total home' experience" instead of multiple smart home apps, the company said in a blog Friday announcing the move. Comcast said eventually customers will be able to control such devices through their TVs using the X1 platform and voice remote.
On Controls added Honeywell to its Partners in Control program. The program was created to achieve “seamless compatibility” between the On Controls platform and products from connected device manufacturers across the smart home space, the company said. Under the partnership, On Controls' driver will work with a range of Honeywell Wi-Fi and RedLink smart thermostats, said the control company.
URC announced an Accelerator Challenge to be held at CEDIA Expo next month in which the company will give away $3,000 cash winnings per day. The challenge will be held Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., said the company Monday. Contestants will use URC Accelerator software to program an eight-zone Total Control automation system and winners will be chosen based on speed and quality of programming, said Cat Fowler, marketing director.
High-end CE distributor AVAD added Philips hue to its Works with Nest product lineup. “Philips hue has transformed the performance, convenience and technology of interior lighting with their latest line of hue bulbs and fixtures," said Hugh Hughes, AVAD director-vendor management and purchasing. The hue wireless smart light can function as a signal alert, night-light or a highlight for artwork, cabinets, furniture and wall color enhancement, AVAD said. The Myhue portal app connects users to hue products anywhere in the world, giving AVAD custom installation dealers the ability to offer “extensive personalization options” to customers.
OnControls announced its 4.2 software revision that includes two-way IP-based control of Apple TV using a gesture pad or traditional button-style interface. Users can browse and control iTunes content including movies, TV shows, Netflix, Vimeo and photos, said OnControls. Other new features in the upgrade include a device slider for lighting and AV equipment control, a full-screen mode, the addition of horizontal and vertical control for shades, blinds and drapes and a new graphic template called Se7en, which the company said is a new look and feel for control that’s uncluttered and enhanced by customizable screen backgrounds and colors. Access to the Se7en template will be made available to On Controls authorized dealers Monday, said the company.
Audio Control developed a Control4 driver for its Director models D3400 and D4400 multichannel amplifiers, the company said Monday. The driver allows users to manage from a Control4 system: power-on and -off functions; volume up/down and mute; volume over one zone or a group of zones; and control of a local input, said Audio Control.