In the past, you needed a PC connected to your home automation controller to take remote control of your house from any where in the world. Smarthome is about to change that with the PowerLineIP and the SmarthomeLive service. The PowerLineIP module, acts as a gateway to SmarthomeLive, eliminating the need of a PC. It's compact, about the size of a deck of cards, never needs rebooting and allows users to remotely control, monitor or receive messages from home automation devices. It will be available end of April for $129.99... a good alternative for someone that doesn't want to deal with PCs and all the configuration traditionally needed.

I ordered this switch for my theater room a couple months ago and I have to say this is the best looking wall switch ever made. It took about 6 weeks to get, since Lutron custom makes every single one of these. They come in a variety of finishes, I chose the satin nickel (just like the photo) and it's really machined solid nickel, not plated... surprising nowadays... that's probably why this face plate costs a little mint. Custom engraving on the membrane is available. There's not much else to write about, since it is just a switch, but if you are into the little details, this can really finish a room up.

To get this kind of form factor in the past, you'd need to shell out mega bucks for a Crestron or PHAST controller/automation system. Universal Remote's MX-3000 has taken that popular form factor and turned it into an IR/RF remote. This is like the MX-600 but has a 3.8" color LCD screen and is loaded with features like a sound recorder, so you can add talking help buttons for the less techy family members. They really thought this remote thru, a common problem with LCD remotes is the lack of hard buttons, they have a bunch of them on the MX-3000, these can be programmed for common tasks and accessed with a quick button press. Customization can made with their free editor software, making each task as intuitive as you'd like. The Home Theater Master® MX-3000 retails for $999.95.

The folks over at CorAccess have been doing it right from the start. Slick, intuitive, fast user interfaces and great looking touchscreen panels is want we all want in a home automation control panel. Their Companion line interfaces perfectly with HAI's OmniPro controller panels and can be used to control lighting, HVAC, security, media controller, and as a picture viewer. The interfaces can be customize with Macromedia's Flash authoring tool... Very cool! I hope to get a demo unit and write a review as soon as I get my OmniPro II installed and setup.

NOBU is now shipping the PC-N12WTS, which is a 12.4" LCD in-wall Windows XP touch-screen PC. It's perfect for home automation control and because it's a full featured PC, you can use it as a small control server. The CPU runs at 733mhz and has all the standard I/O ports as well as audio and ethernet.

Remotes rarely get the same reaction as in-wall touchscreens, but sometimes I even prefer a simple easy to program handheld remote. A la, the Home Theater Master® MX-600... this remote gets the highest reviews for usabilty and features. It not only is a learning IR remote, but it transmits everything via RF to its base unit so you don't have to point it at your devices. If you want a simple to use IR/RF remote, the MX-600 may be the perfect one for you.