MAVROMATIC » Home Automation

Did you pre-order an iPad today?

Danny Mavromatis — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:14:45 +0000

Just pressed submit and placed an order for a 16gb iPad… it’s been a pain developing applications via the simulator so I can’t wait to get this device in my grubby hands. Did you guys order an iPad today? Why or why not? How do you plan on using it? I’d love to hear — lurkers, now’s your time to post a comment…

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- Apple — Pre-Order iPad

Niles MS220 – The Best IR Sensor!

Danny Mavromatis — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:00:32 +0000

It’s freaking 2010 and we’re still using IR, WTF? Oh well… if you are looking to find the most reliable IR Sensor to connect to your IR connection block (used in applications where you want to put AV components in a remote area but still have control), I highly recommend the new Niles MS220. I have used different units by Xantech, Russound, even Niles and the MS220 is the most reliable. How do I know? For starters, all the others I have used you needed to choose between CFL/Plasma friendly and not. You’d get weird noise (the LED on the sensor would flash) from stray “IR” signals. The MS220 utilizes a “smart” electronic circuit to filter out noise and works with all IR formats. Check out Niles Audio for more information.

- Product Page
- Product Specification Sheet [PDF]

Myro:Home Automation Controller Running In Apple iPad Simulator

Danny Mavromatis — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:53:28 +0000

Just downloaded the newest iPhone SDK (3.2) and ran the Myro:Home iPhone app in the iPad Simulator. It works (you can press the 2x to zoom it, seen in the second image) Once I release the iPhone app, I will be focusing on making a native version for the iPad. This should be fun! A $499 home automation controller is perfect — the iPad is Myro Control’s wireless home controller!

SNEAK PEAK: Myro:Home for iPhone (HAI Controller)

Danny Mavromatis — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:08:26 +0000

Here is a sneak peak of the Myro:Home iPhone application. As you can see, progress has been coming along. I’ve been getting the design finalized and now I’m just tweaking the look and feel a bit. The mobile framework has also been set in the core Myro:Home application which acts as a server on your home network. The iPhone version connects into Myro and loads and controls the HAI panel via a secure channel.

The key focus has been getting control of your home via the iPhone in the quickest time possible. As it works now, I can load and control in less than 3 seconds (if on WIFI).

- MYRO CONTROL – Myro:Home

The Energy Detective (TED) 5000 Whole House Power/Energy Usage Monitor — Mavromatic’s 2009 Holiday Gift Guide

Danny Mavromatis — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:00:52 +0000

TED 5000 WHOLE HOUSE POWER MONITOR ($239) — Give the gift that keeps on giving money back and can also help make the world a cleaner, better place! The TED 5000 is the latest in home energy monitoring from Energy Inc. that can measure electricity usage in real-time. Just recently, Google and Energy Inc. announced that anyone in the U.S. can purchase and install the TED 5000 and see personal home energy data online using the free Google PowerMeter web application. This device not only lets you manage energy usage but predicts your monthly energy costs and carbon footprint instantly, thus helping you reduce power waste and save you money.

For the complete 2009 Holiday Gift Guide, click here.

TRUFIG – Flush Mount Everything In The Wall

Danny Mavromatis — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:37:16 +0000

There are all sorts of wall plates, touchscreens, light switches, and other control devices that never seem to match either in color, finish, or how they mount on (into) the wall. TRUFIG from Dana Innovations, the parent company of speaker manufacture Sonance, have created a solution for this problem. TRUFIG is a system that lets you match a variety of devices from different manufactures. A great idea and product for those that want a consistent look and feel… especially useful in a ultra-modern/contemporary home where less is more.

- TRUFIG

Somfy ILT Z-Wave Interface works with HAI OmniPro II/Myro

Danny Mavromatis — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:22:22 +0000

A friend of mine is in the process of building a home and requires a lot of outdoor sun shades. We have been trying to find a cost effective way to control them and get feedback of the position they are in. There are countless ways to get this kind of feedback but all of them are very costly. It seems like we’ve found the solution… Somfy has released a Z-WAVE interface which works with their ILT line of motors which give you status feedback and control into the Z-Wave environment and will enable optimized performance through Myro:Home touchscreen panels. The plug-in design also allows a simple connection to the ILT 2-way communicating motor head and can be setup in less than a minute. As an added bonus, the interface doesn’t require additional external power which keeps the energy footprint low too.

– Somfy Systems

Arlington Wire Bushings – Pass Low-Voltage Cable Through Walls

Danny Mavromatis — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:47 +0000

Have you ever had the need to punch through some sheetrock to pass through a few network cables? The problem is, you drill the hole then the craft paper begins to rip and the gypsum crumbles as you pull the cables through. Arlington has a solution for this problem. The Wire Bushings come in 3 hole sizes ranging from 1.125″ to .500″. They are paintable and available now from your low-voltage suppliers!

– Arlington – Wire Bushings

Updated Myro Control 8″ In-Wall Home Automation Control Touch Panel (HAI OmniPro II)

Danny Mavromatis — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:15:51 +0000

I’ve been busy getting ready the next updates to Myro Controls line up. We have an iPhone application in the works and have also updated our panels. The MYRO-8W now feature a much more powerful Intel Atom based processor which will allow us to do some more CPU intensive tasks. We have also updated our Embedded XP build to accommodate some of the panel’s new features like the edge glow effect. This effect makes it easier to see if the system is armed (red) or disarmed (green) from a distance.

For more information check out www.meetmyro.com.

Myro:Home iPhone Application In Development

Danny Mavromatis — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:37:54 +0000

I’ve been learning Objective-C and have been working on a few iPhone apps… one of which will be the official Myro:Home iPhone application which will allow you to control your HAI panel and view IP cameras. This application will only be available to users of the Myro Control 8″ In-Wall Panel (MYRO:8W). The application is in early BETA and should be ready for release beginning of November.