What is Home Automation?
Home automation … designates an emerging practice of increased automation of household appliances and features in residential dwellings, particularly through electronic means that allow for things impracticable, overly expensive or simply not possible in recent past decades… particularly the automatic or semi-automatic control of lighting, doors and windows, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and security and surveillance systems.
- From Wikipedia.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_automation
What is “g!”?
g! is a brand new Home Automation system from Elan Home Systems and HomeLogic. It is a family of products designed to provide more convenience, comfort and peace-of-mind than you ever thought possible. Personalized to fit your specific lifestyle, these solutions range from simple family room control to full whole-home entertainment and management – even remote monitoring of vacation homes.
What does ”g!” do?
HOME
Think of the things you do to get ready in the morning: turn on the lights, check the weather and traffic reports, maybe even turn on the morning news. g! delivers your world at a glance with a personalized dashboard for your home. Customize your screen with the things you use most such as weather forecasts, camera video, lighting, even security system features. With g! it’s all about you.
MEDIA
What if you could press a button to access your entire collection of music and movies – from anywhere in your home? g! catalogs your discs and displays them with brilliant cover art right on your TV, touchscreen, or iPhone, making it easier than ever to find your favorites. If you’re really into music, you’ll love finding new favorites with Pandora®, Rhapsody™ and SHOUTcast streaming services.
SECURITY
Does your current security system ramp up the lights when the alarm sounds? Does it flash the exterior lights to alert the neighbors? g! adds this intelligence to better protect your investment and your family. Plus, it can send text message alerts to your cell phone and allows you to remotely arm or disarm the system.
CLIMATE
Studies have shown that lowering a thermostat just three degrees can save up to 10% on your energy bill. With g! not only can you automate these adjustments, but you also gain access to detailed history views that allow you to monitor the system and make informed decisions about consumption. And if you own a vacation home, you’ll love the remote access that gives you control while away.
LIGHTING
If part of your bedtime ritual involves going from room to room checking the lights, there is a better way. With g! a simple touch can quickly turn them all off, or set the perfect party mood for the entire home. Save energy by dimming lights and creating custom schedules for landscape lighting. Plus remote access features will ensure you always arrive to a well-lighted home.
IRRIGATION
The dials and switches used by many irrigation systems can be confusing and difficult to use. g! takes the guesswork out of watering your lawn and puts you in control with a simple, easy-to-read display. Conserve water by detecting rainfall and setting up personalized schedules, or give landscapers limited remote access to monitor the system and make adjustments.
MESSAGING
While g! can’t drive your children to ballgames, it is your digital personal assistant allowing you to check your email and leave recorded messages for others. Each family member can easily create a custom greeting for their voicemail and be sent alerts or emails when new items arrive. And you can play messages directly from the touchscreen or remotely using a PC or phone.
VIDEO
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then video must be priceless. Whether you’re checking on a vacation home, wanting to keep your family safe, or simply wondering who is at the front door – nothing gives you peace of mind like seeing them at your fingertips. And best of all you can view the same live video from your home, office, iPhone or anywhere in the world.
POOL / SPA
Wouldn’t it be cool if you could turn on the spa from the bedroom as you don your swimsuit? Conserve energy with scheduling of pumps, water features and lighting, and harvest the sun’s rays using automated solar covers. Also monitor pool health, receive customized alerts and even control the system from your cell phone. Time may not float on by, but with g! you can.
PHOTOS
In this new digital world, too often photos stay trapped in a PC or camera. Unlock those memories by turning every touchscreen and TV into a digital picture frame. Nothing gets the family together for “movie night” like a larger-than-life slideshow of your last vacation on the big screen.