On Jan 15, 4:39=A0am, Robert Macy wrote:
Actually that's the root of the problem. I've been doing small to middling automated lighting for lots of years now. More recently in connection to home theater installs. No one has been able to come up with an integrated system that was generally accepted . Back in the X10 days was the closest (in my opinion) that home automation was in one basket. But only because it was the only basket. And it was never that good to be totally dependable.
There have been and are a wide choice of products out there but nothing, so far has been able to catch the imagination of the installers or the public. With the advent of Zigbee and Zwave, there's been a little more interest however, WiFi networking has emerged as a strong candidate, what with the fact that anyone who would have some interest in automation already has WiFi. The newest entrants in the home auto arena are coming in with the two "Z's". and they're "packaging" it. Package A, Package B, package C. No customization but with those items that market research has show to be most desirable. This will gain some momentum simply because of the deep pockets they have for advertising. Most people who would succumb to this are not what I would ever consider as being my market. Also, I think that these companies that are marketing these services still haven't learned there lesson regarding service. This is by no means a plug - and- play product. there are glitches that can occur with this kind of technology that could result in some very inconvenient and possibly destructive consequence. A thermostat that doesn't turn on in the winter time while the client is in Florida for 3 months. Thermostats that don't turn down in the winter while away in the Caribbean, Humugus oil bill and run out of fuel before degree day fuel delivery is scheduled. Of course all of this could happen with any technology that's used for such purposes, however, if it were me, I certainly wouldn't want a Freebe, National, mass marketing, non caring, monopoly minded company with legal resource thousands of times greater them mine ..... to be installing, monitoring and caring for it. So, I think that this latest push will attract those who can't see past the glitz. I think that the companies will gradually pull back, once they get a taste of the support and follow up that's needed and do the same thing they've done in the past when eyeing and trying to enter the alarm installation and monitoring market.
Personally I think that WiFi is going to be the ultimate winner because there's been more of a need to make it as simple as possible for the technophobes who own computers. What with auto linking and DLNA, IPods, IPads, all using WiFi, it's and easy transition to controlling other devices in your home. All the manufacturers who make appliances, thermostats and other devices that could be controlled have to do, is use WiFi technology. This obviously makes it easy for the novice end user to do it themselves but ...... that's the way technology normally evolves.
Jusst my take on it.