Have you ever wanted the ability to control your PC from another room but couldn't find an easy way to control it? Well, the folks over at Zanware have found a solution! The Zanware PC Controller has a 128x64 pixel graphical LCD, IR receiver for remote control, and control knob for menu navigation. In addition to that, each unit has a temperature sensor, light sensor, status LED, and buzzer. The controller is powered via the Ethernet cable that allows for a simple single wire installation. Each unit comes with a stainless steel or gold faceplate, and can be installed in either an “old work” or “new work” standard 3-gang UL electrical box. This little controller will set you back $330... which isn't that bad if you think about how extendable it is.

- Available At Automated Outlet

I'll try to find a better photo, but if you look really close, you will notice that this based on the ViewSonic V110 10.4" SmartDisplay. I guess now that MSFT has dumped the line, it makes sense for ViewSonic to partner with Crestron, the leaders in automation controllers. This personal, portable device runs the Windows CE operating system and has embedded PC applications that allow the user to access the Web using Internet Explorer, utilize and view streaming media through Windows Media Player, manage e-mail using MS Inbox, and view popular file formats including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat - all while providing easy control of every system in the home, from audio and video distribution to lighting and temperature to security. I don't have pricing, but like all Crestron products, expect to pay a premium.

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Yup, you read it right... Home Automation, Inc (HAI) the makers of the best home automation controller, the OmniPro II, will be releasing HAI Home Control For Windows Media Center in September. This package can be installed on any Windows Media Center 2005 and controlled via the MCE remote. No pricing is available yet, but it will be less than the Weblink II.

This is actually a pretty cool little piece of software, Microsoft's new Voice Command speech software for Windows Mobile 2003-based Pocket PC and Pocket PC Phone Editions, is now available at retailers nationwide. The software provides you with hands-free access to your pocketPC phone (works with HP's new iPAQ h6315 Pocket PC Phone Edition), contact list, calendar, digital music and more, all without requiring prerecorded voice cues.

Voice Command is now available at more than five national retail outlets, including Circuit City, CompUSA and Amazon.com for about $40.

So we have robotic pets, vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers and now pool cleaners! Aqua Products, the guys that created the aquabot, today unveiled new technology for pool-cleaning robots that independently analyze the size and shape of any pool allowing them to intelligently map out the fastest, and most efficient cleaning course possible. This is the first and only robotic pool cleaner that learns about and becomes uniquely familiar with any individual pool. AquaSmart and Matrix mapping technologies are based on mathematical algorithms that enable the devices to calculate the most effective cleaning patterns and schedules. Very cool stuff... owning one of these will also protect your family from the home-wrecking "pool guy".

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SkipJam iMedia technology will be releasing a "high fidelity, all-digital integrated home entertainment system that combines whole house audio and video distribution with digital recording and home control", in a few months. The iMedia is geared to the high end audio/video users that want to instantly transform any ordinary home computer network into a complete whole-home A/V distribution and control platform. I find it interesting that they are referencing AMX as a "competing product", but maybe they actually have to technology to do everything an AMX system can for a fraction of the price...

"Competing products for home control and distribution from Sony, Philips, AMX, and others provide a fraction of the functionality at much higher prices, while requiring costly custom wiring and professional installation for even the most basic functionality."

The iMedia includes a PVR that records using MPEG-4 to any networked hard drive, universal whole-house remote control so you can control any device from anywhere, even while away from home (the AMX part), live media streaming, a DVR so you can record DVDs, VHS, and music (even radio) to any networked hard drive to watch any time. It can also playback MPEG 1/2/4, MP3, WMA, WAV, Ogg, JPG files. You can even use it as a home intercom that can page to any stereo/TV. It's powered by 32/64 bit superscalar MIPS architecture CPU with separate DSP processors for audio and video, dual PCI buses and dual Ethernet ports, integrated TV and FM tuner. As for connectivity, it has 4 analog video inputs (3 S-video and 4 composite), 6 analog audio inputs, 4 PCM digital inputs (both optical and coaxial inputs and outputs), Firewire, USB 2.0, 3 IR output ports, IR Blaster LEDs, RS232 control. They are saying it should be out in a few months for about $800. If this devices actually delivers what it's promising, then every home should have one...