Wednesday, 18 December 2013

INSTEON Hub home automation made easy.










INSTEON Hub easy home automation and configured from your smartphone.




The Insteon Hub can be used to control all your Insteon and X10 modules locally or remotely using an iPhone or smartphone. The Insteon Hub can be set up to send you an email or SMS to warn you when a motion sensor or door/window sensor is activated.


Features

Control Anywhere

The Insteon Hub plugs directly into your broadband router and through an iPhone App orAndroid App allows you to locally or remotely set up and control your Insteon and X10 devices. Easy to follow videos are include in the apps making the set up straightforward and simple. Alternatively the Insteon Hub can also be set up using the free HouseLinc software from SmartLabs. 




Scheduling & scenes

The Insteon Hub can be used to schedule a sequence of events as the result of a trigger. The trigger can be a time, date or activation of a sensor or switch. This allows you to automate your home as you want it, from security applications through to setting scene lighting at the touch of a button.
Receive AlertsThe Insteon hub can send you a text message to your mobile phone or an email to alert you when a particular event has occurred. Whether its a motion sensor being activated or the kids getting home from school , you can be aware of what's happening in your home.


In the Cloud



The Insteon Hub stores your homes configuration in the cloud which allows access from any number of smartphones and tablets you may own. Want to add another smartphone? Simply download the app, sign in and all your settings (devices, scenes, icons, timers, etc.) are there to enjoy. Also there is no monthly fee for this service so its great value compared to some other systems out there.


Advantages:

cloud-based offering would be the simplicity of not dealing with dynamic DNS
no need to worry about potential loopback issues when running the software at home,  and something I saw when using the free HomeControl app with the 2412N
finally, an accurate clock, based on giving the smartphone app permission to use your smartphone’s GPS/location, greatly simplifying sunset and sunrise time set up
easy ability to check status and turn things on and off, even when not home, using minimal cellular data
low price
simple and quick one-time configuration, given my INSTEON network settings stay largely the same for years

Disadvantages:


cloud-based offering, which relies on Smarthome continuing to run this service for years to come
not as full featured as some higher end products with complex macros and scene configurations (that I never needed or used)


Thursday, 5 December 2013

SmartQ Z-Watch

The SmartQ Z-Watch

This stylish SmartQ Z Watch Gear connects wirelessly with your Android cell phone and Tablet PC, and makes sure you have everything you need right there on your wrist and within reach. You can keep your cell phone in your pocket, with the Z Watch on your wrist, you can control your phone, receive calls notify or messages and more.




















Highlights

Android 4.3 OS
1.54 inch 240*240 capacitive touch screen
JZ4775 1.0GHz
512MB DDR3 RAM and 4GB NAND FLASH ROM
Built-in motion sensor
Support SMS
Support Bluetooth, Wifi function
IPX7 Water-proof
Get calls notify(does not support answering calls) and receive messages from your wrist
Pedometer function










Details

ProcessorIngenic JZ4775 low-power processor: 1.0GHz
Cache512MB Mobile DDR
Mass Storage4GB eMMC flash memory
BluetoothBluetooth4.0, support BLE( Bluetooth low energy ) tech.
WLANIEEE 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi wireless network
USBUSB 2.0 port
Acceleration SensorThree-axis accelerometer
Headphone port3.5mm waterproof stereo headphone port
MicrophoneBuilt-in high sensitive Microphone
Screen1.54-inch TFT LCD, Resolution 240x240, Capacitive multi-touch tempered glass touch screen
Size of dial49.9mm(length) × 38.5mm(width) × 12.2mm(thickness)
Size of strapwidth:22mm; length:24.5cm( including dial )
ColorBlack, Red, Blue
WeightAbout 42.5g
ReminderMicro vibration motor
Water resistantIP-X7 water resistant
Operating temps0°C~45°C
Battery Capacity & Type300mAH Li-poly battery
Input voltage5V, 0.5W
AccessoryUSB cable, Instruction book, certification, warranty card









The price for all of this? 100 us dollars or about 80 euros not bad hey?

The firmware for Z Watch: Go here!
There you will find how to flash your watch with the latest firmware.

As soon as I get one, I will do a video on it.

Update Here is the video.

the review






zwatch review by cyberlite

Monday, 2 December 2013

China launched a lunar probe.



China on Monday launched a lunar probe carrying an exploration rover in what is expected to be the nation's first soft-landing on an extraterrestrial body.
The Chang'e-3 spacecraft carries a lander, as well as a rover named "Yutu," which means Jade Rabbit, according to the Xinhua News Agency, China's official news service
The Long March-3B rocket carrying the Chang'e-3 lunar probe lifts off from the launch pad at Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan province on Monday. The Chang'e-3 lunar probe comprises a lander and a moon rover called "Yu Tu" (Jade Rabbit) which will be deployed to explore the surface of the moon. The lunar probe is expected to land on the moon in mid-December. (Photo: Reuters/China Daily)

The probe is scheduled to land on the moon in mid-December, Xinhua quoted Wu Zhijian, spokesman with China's State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.