Of the apps by Crestron, Lifeware, Z-Wave and Control4 we've seen here at CEDIA, Crestron's seems to be farthest along (pictured above). It can control multiple rooms in multiple houses all via Wi-Fi or AT&T data, and is a free download and add-on. Z-Wave, probably the most accessible system that you don't have to have a Cribs-worthy home to run, will sadly charge you $10 a month for the privilege of freaking out your pets while you're on vacation or locking your doors from bed. Lifeware's app is still in its nascent stages, but it will pack more Media Center integrations (in case you're running the baddest Media Center in the world).
Control4's app (above) is the least impressive—the first version will only work in your home on the same Wi-Fi network as your system, which is puzzling. And it'll cost you a "license" that will likely be "over $100 and less than $500," to make up for lost touchscreen remote revenue.

All the apps are currently getting finishing touches, but each will be available before year-end. For now, check out iViewer.

[Space Invaders via Not Cot]

ROCKLEIGH, NJ, April 16, 2008 — Crestron announced today its touchpanels and control systems now support Windows® SideShow™, providing access to a wide-range of PC and Web-based content such as news feeds, sports scores, stock tickers, weather alerts, media guides, email messages, and appointment notifications all through a simple network connection to a Windows Vista™ computer. SideShow content can be viewed on all Crestron touchpanels and 2-way devices that support dynamic text such as the APAD wall mount controller and MLX-2 handheld remote. Windows® SideShow™ is a new technology in Windows Vista that supports a secondary display screen to view flight reservations, news, weather, sports or read email even if the laptop is "off" or in "sleep mode." Crestron now provides support through its SIMPL Windows program to also deliver SideShow data to its touchpanels and controllers, including the APAD and MLX-2. Crestron control systems retrieve SideShow data from any mobile or desktop PC running Vista via basic Ethernet communication. SideShow sends data from the SideShow gadget displaying text information and even providing some control functionality. For example, Crestron SideShow-enabled controllers can access the Windows Media Player gadget to allow users to browse song lists and play selections directly from touchpanels. Crestron support of Windows SideShow delivers information from your computer to Crestron devices. Windows SideShow is available in Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate.

The Bath-O-Matic is equipped to run on home automation equipment from AMX and Crestron if you want to fill your tub from the comfort of your couch, and can fit on tubs both old and new. It also includes a motorized plug so no water is wasted, and adjusts to pressure and outside temperature so you won't have to worry about getting burned. Just slap a toaster and an iPod on this baby, and I think we have a real winner. It sells for 4000 (about $8000) so you better get one before supplies run out. [Bath-O-Matic via CE Pro]

If that wasn't enough, you can also enjoy stereo speakers, an ambient light mode and a touch-to-wake power saving mode for the not-so low low price of $6—$7,000 depending on the screen size (8.9" and 12.1") and the finish you choose. [Product Page via Electronic House]

Imagine hooking up everything in your home with these Z-Wave devices, where blinds raise and lower with the sun or temperature, lights only turn on when you need them, and the temperature and tunes are carefully regulated throughout the house. Amble into your home theater, bellow out something like "let the festivities begin," and your smart house responds. The HSM100 doesn't have voice control, but with Z-Wave, that and a whole lot more can be arranged.

Home Seer isn't the only one is the Z-Wave game, and also on board are more than a hundred manufacturers, including heavyweights such as Leviton, Monster Cable, as well as Cooper, Intermatic and ACT. The HSM100 Z-Wave Multi-sensor will be available this month for $99.95.

Product Page [HomeSeer, via eHomeUpgrade]

What's the point of this? Just to have a richer GUI compared to other home automation solutions thanks to the HD output. Because we all know how inconvenient it is when you meant to wirelessly shut off the TV but turned off the light instead. Boy, that's a problem the average working man can relate to. – Jason Chen

Control4's New HC-300: Faster, Sexier Home Controller [CEpro]

Considering the price, we're not sure that it's worth it just to have a cheap-looking picture of your room around to remember which switch turns off what. Unless you're setting this up for grandma, in which case it may be worth it just to avoid the midnight tech support calls when she can't figure out how to turn everything off to go to bed. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Simply Automate via Automated Home via Slashgear]

One step in the right direction comes from the Siemen's serve@Home Home Management System. Designed for mobile and remote interaction, this system can let you control various systems and appliances around your home wirelessly and via cell phone or internet.

And unlike similar systems cropping up, the serve@Home communicates wirelessly with appliances via encryption (VPN tunneling) to help alleviate some security concerns.

The system works by networking appliances equipped with a small slot in which a retrofit-able System Interface card is inserted. Using a 230 volt power supply and an Ethernet interface, this home management system can communicate with appliances via a wireless network. Using the home automation portal dubbed "cockpit" you can interface with your devices via PC, tablet PC or PDA. All features of your appliances can be changed or checked via this interface, as well as providing normal PC information functions such as email, web, music and television.

The serve@Home can you let you control pretty much everything in your home, from kitchen appliance, heating/air conditioning, lights and blinds to webcams and security systems. Preheat the oven from your office, turn on your AC on the ride home, check to see if you really switched off the oven—the possibilities are endless.

The system can also integrate switchable power sockets, which would be helpful if you wanted to disconnect your expensive LCD during a thunderstorm when away from home.

Since the infoModule was released in 2005 there are now 15 Siemens products integrated with this system and more on the way. You can easily add appliances at a later date thanks to the existing infrastructure and standard wireless protocols. According to Siemens, networked appliances carry an additional charge of around $66, while the system starter solution including infoModule is available from $330 to $1,322, depending on the options selected.

Still no word as to whether or not it puts your pants on for you. –Dana Bushman

Siemens serve@Home Home Management System [Siemens via Appliancist]

Sure, it's $15,000, but Best Buy says it will install this entire system in your house, anywhere you are. But there are no substitutions in this package, so if you already have a home network, a PC or an Xbox 360... tough. And, they're not going to be installing those light switches, for inexplicable reasons. But something like this might be very difficult to get going on your own—especially if you're not, uh, technologically inclined.

Is this a rip, or what?

So the prospective customers of this ConnectedLife.Home package don't have an Ethernet network in their house? Obviously, this system is not aimed at the geeksters. Perhaps that's why Best Buy sees fit to charge $15,000 for $10,000 worth of equipment. You think that's steep? Try getting an installer to put in a Crestron/AMX system in your house: that'll be $50K please. This racket is along the same lines as Best Buy's high-margin practice of charging $75 for a $12 HDMI cable. There is an asymmetry of information here, where the uninitiated fall prey to those with a little bit of knowledge and a big-box store.

The home automation business is the stomping ground of a special breed of professional installer, people who are in business for themselves and pray upon the technophobe with lots of disposable income. As soon as you say the words "home automation," the price tags spiral into the realm of the absurd. One telltale sign you're about to be fleeced: these companies never call the place where you're living a "house," it's always referred to as your "home," which has a warmer sound and seems to get people to want to spend more money. Expect the words "family" and "children" to be used a lot, too.

You'll also notice that it's nearly impossible to find the prices of the individual items in this special ConnectedLife.Home package. That's because many of the components are sold and marketed within the realm of the professional installers, who buy this gear wholesale from suppliers and then mark it up to a price this well-heeled market will bear. For instance, Lifeware home automation software and its associated equipment is commonly quoted at around $2 per square foot. This means that commonly-available LCD panels, a bit of home automation software and everyday networking technology is fattened up with margins not seen anywhere this side of a Rolls-Royce dealer.

Since the home automation industry is in its infancy, there are no economies of scale to bring prices down, nor is there much competition between these clubby companies. It's similar to the situation in the home theater industry (which is now just starting to loosen up a bit) where as soon as you utter the words "home theater," prices are suddenly quadrupled.

To be fair, putting this stuff together and making it all work is quite difficult, and in many instances, impossible. The installers bring expertise that very few people possess in integrating home automation equipment. None of it is anywhere near what could be remotely called plug-and-play. Sure, Best Buy's $15,000 price tag sounds like a lot, but it's a step in the right direction—quite a bit better than the $50,000 you'd pay for a Crestron system.

Those bonanza days for these installers are numbered, however. I'm thinking that as soon as all this technology is completely wireless and plug-and-play, all that will be left for installers to do will be to mount a few panels on the wall, the equivalent of hanging a picture frame. And who needs an installer for that? – Charlie White

Best Buy, Exceptional Innovation and ConnectedLife.Home [CEPro]

Worthy of (shhh!) applause [JS Online]

This Swing Door Opener works on left and right swinging doors, and the remote can be assigned to two different openers simultaneously. A timer mode allows the door to be automatically closed after being open a pre-set period of time.

All this automation will run you $324.99, which is worth it if you're in one of those three categories above (young, old, sickly), but not if you're just a fat slob. – Jason Chen

Add Remote Control to your Doors [Gizmos For Geeks via Coolest Gadgets]

Simply Automate plans to release it soon, but there's no word on whether this will cost you to upgrade.

We're just wondering what the toilet icon is for. Can you flush the toilet remotely, or just monitor the status—empty, full, overflowing— from your couch?

New Plugin for Harmony / MCE [Automated Home via eHomeUpgrade]

• Water Sensor - Detects flooding
• Open/Closed Sensor - Shows doors, windows, cabinets and drawers
• Power Sensor - Any device in an electric outlet
• Reminder Sensor - Filter changes, lawn watering, any scheduled event

Other non sensor items that can be attached are range extenders for large homes, attention sensors that send instant messages, and a home key for sensor notification just like on a cell phone.

A base station and one sensor starts at $175, and can be configured to send alerts through your PC or Eaton's processing center.

Complete home automation may be a long way off, but being able to tell whether something's gone wrong with your home is quite useful.

Home Heartbeat [via CNET via Blurtek]