Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2021 i Residential Tech Today

In a recent conversation, Tony Edwards, the owner of UK custom integration company, Jooced Custom Sound and Vision, was asked about how he is using virtual reality technology in his business. Although many look forward to the entertainment potential of VR, business owners like Edwards are first seeing the benefits of the tech in virtual showrooms and interactive room design mockups. Here’s what else we learned from Edwards, from his office in Wombourne, England. CEDIA: First, how are you using VR in your business? Tony Edwards: We use VR for mockups of our cinema rooms to help engage the client and give an accurate representation of the design and space. This allows our clients to make informed design decisions before moving forward. We also used VR for the design and…

The LCD and OLED TVs in Sony’s new Bravia XR line-up include what the company calls Cognitive Processor XR, which was created to more accurately mimic how the human brain detects and analyzes visual and auditory information. The new processor is at the core of how Sony is differentiating its A90J, X95J, X90J, A80J, and Z9J TVs from other models that primarily rely on artificial intelligence to detect and analyze video elements like color, contrast, and detail. According to Sony, its new processor incorporates “cognitive intelligence,” which the company describes as the way a person’s brain receives information from his or her eyes and ears. Conventional TV processors that depend entirely on artificial intelligence can only detect and analyze elements like color, contrast, and detail individually. Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR,…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an intense rise in at-home internet and smart home product usage. Unfortunately, more smart product use also means increased potential for cyberattacks. Residential Tech Today recently had the opportunity to get in touch with representatives from various smart tech suppliers about the challenges of keeping their products safe from hackers, using Z-wave wireless protocols to gain tighter security. Ashwanth Anadasu, COO of Hogar Controls, explained the smart home industry has already taken many steps to address consumer concerns about security and privacy. Examples include getting rid of the need for multiple passwords and strengthening company privacy programs by hiring independent, third-party organizations to verify compliance to federal and regional policies. Additionally, end-users can take steps to ramp up security and privacy while adding…

Opportunities for enhancing outdoor living spaces with technology doesn’t need to stop with weather-resistant loudspeaker. Consider mounting that outdoor video display on Auton’s Model BG-72-30-PS subterranean lift, which conceals and reveals a TV at the push of a button. The lift is constructed of T6061 aluminum and 316 stainless steel. An IP55 rating and onboard weatherproof 120V receptacle makes it completely waterproof. Shipped fully assembled, it installs in minutes. Also, look to RTI’s U3 remote control, which utilizes inductive charging and wireless programming updates for the ultimate in outdoor TV channel surfing. The U3 is resistant to water and chlorine and floats if dropped in the pool. The device features RTI’s dual-RF platform, supporting both 433-MHz RF for one-way control and 2.4-GHz ZigBee for bidirectional communication with RTI processors and…

2020 was a great year for me. I found a hat in my parking lot and learned how to play Parcheesi. On the other hand, my Great Aunt Irene passed away, and her funeral wasn’t catered. But in the tech world, 2020 was quite a rollercoaster. People went from 15.5 hours looking at screens to 16 hours. The re-worked Sonic the Hedgehog movie united a nation. Apple probably did something. With all our 2020 calendars in the trash and 2021 calendars about to go on clearance, here’s what to expect in the realm of tech this year: Decade-old tweets will become the leading cause of unemployment. While most of us lost our jobs last year due to gross incompetence or office supply theft, old social media posts will emerge as…

During virtual CES 2021 earlier this year, Domalys, a French leader in health technology, premiered the Aladin smart lamp, which is designed to anticipate and prevent falls for assisted living residents and dependents. Domalys Founder Arnaud Brillaud explained that the Aladin smart lamp has proven to reduce the risk of falls by providing automatic lighting to help ensure safety for residents, then also detecting if a fall does occur and immediately alerting caregivers with the built-in fall detection. “Throughout the western world, the so-called ‘baby boomer’ generation is aging, at risk of losing their independence altogether,” Brillaud said. “Aladin is ideal for securing nighttime activity and increasing autonomy for seniors, alleviating stress for residents and caregivers.” Multiple Sensors The fully customizable smart lamp is equipped with multiple motion sensors for…

Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is a new advanced video doorbell complete with 3D Motion Detection with radar, enhanced audio capabilities with an array microphone, and customizable privacy features. Combined with new Head to Toe video, 3D Motion Detection and Bird’s Eye View, the new device gives homeowners more context about what is happening at their front door. Motion Detection with Radar Technology and Distance Thresholds Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 ($249.99 MSRP) uses radar to better detect objects. Homeowners can customize which areas of their property they want to monitor by selecting distance thresholds. The radar sensor determines when an object crosses the distance threshold by measuring its specific distance from the camera. The camera only starts recording once that threshold is crossed and sends homeowners a motion alert.…

Just as a business continuity plan helps a company continue operations when problems arise, a residential continuity plan can do the same for the systems in a home. A residential continuity plan (RCP) can help reduce risks to the smart home such as the lack of proper network security, power problems, equipment failures, software updates, loss of internet access, lack of physical security for break-in/fire/water leaks, and lack of computer file backups. Residential continuity planning can assure a smart home is reliable and will service a family for years to come. It can mitigate the risks that come with the added convenience and safety provided by smart home systems. However, the process of creating a plan, especially for a complex, highly integrated home, may require a combined effort between homeowner…

While technical difficulties prevented the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) virtual exhibits from being accessible as planned earlier this year, attendees had the unique opportunity to focus their attention on all of the programming being offered. Though shocking at first, I realized that being able to spend all of my time taking in presentations, panel sessions, and media briefings provided me both a broader view of the industry and a better understanding of its needs. In the Connected Living Pavilion, design trends, smart home technology briefings, and tech integration insights were shared and the subsequent chatter about it across the social media sphere suggests design-build and integration pros are connecting at a much more rapid pace than in years past. Here are some of the highlights: The 5th Room…

The home entertainment category continues to see growth as consumers spend more time entertaining at home. With access to unlimited digital content via popular streaming platforms, consumers have the movies that they would normally see in theaters right at their fingertips, creating a need for upgraded home theater, living room, and media room spaces. Throughout the past year, it’s obvious that consumers are eager to make entertainment upgrades in the home and the starting point for making these updates starts with the visual display. In 2020 and through the start of 2021, television displays have been flying off the shelves in PowerHouse Alliance distributor warehouses as homeowners continue to seek quality video to complement the at-home streaming and entertainment experience. Seventy-six percent of PowerHouse Alliance vendors and members surveyed in…

PerListen Audio, a new audio company founded by an all-star team of industry professionals, is developing a full line of THX Certified Dominus loudspeakers. Dominus is the newest and the largest performance class of THX certification meant to bridge the gap between large home theater speakers and those used in commercial movie theaters and exhibits. PerListen Audio is the first audio company to include THX Certified Dominus in its product line, both in the U.S. and around the globe, bringing a truly cinematic experience to the home. “From distortion-free sonics to overall impact, Dominus is a remarkable engineering achievement,” said Dan Roemer, CEO of PerListen Audio. “It’s truly a privilege to work with THX on its home theater technology. PerListen Audio is the first company to offer the demonstrable benefits…

Like other smart home technologies, shading systems save power and reduce utility costs, while providing unprecedented levels of convenience for homeowners. Where they really shine, however, is in their ability to deliver these benefits while contributing to the overall wellbeing of a home’s occupants. By conveniently controlling the admission of natural light into the home, shading systems increase comfort and prevent light glare for greater enjoyment. It’s clear that the demand for automated shading systems by homeowners of all kinds is growing – whether it’s due to COVID-19 or the trend for large, open floor plans. It’s also clear that dealers who have embraced the technology are reaping the benefits. We at QMotion thought it would be helpful to reach out to some of our dealers who are already offering…

Where I live in Arizona, I’m able to enjoy year-round outdoor living. During our extended stay-at-home time this past year, I realized it was finally time to turn my home’s old yard into a more serene and enjoyable area to relax and entertain. Outdoor speakers were a key piece of that plan. After years of working for several manufacturers, and even being involved in the design of many speakers myself, I knew that I wanted something that not only sounded good but looked good. It used to be that outdoor speakers were mounted to the outside of your home. This created a bit of an eye-sore but also limited controllability of the sound, increasing the chances that your neighbors may end up enjoying your music more than you did, or…

Nortek Control’s 2GIG EDGE Security and Automation Panel features artificial intelligence (AI) edge analytics and secure face recognition touchless disarm. By engineering the panel using edge analytics and technology built right into the panel, the homeowner’s biometric data stays secure by saving it only on the panel. Once homeowner data is deleted, it is deleted forever. There is also 100-percent compatibility with the live feed of ONVIF cameras to the panel, allowing homeowners to use existing ONVIF devices for their surveillance needs. Access Networks ARCC is a cloud-based wireless controller solution built on Ruckus architecture to provide streamlined and fully customizable deployments, remote access, and control of networking systems. ARCC offers a source of recurring revenue, as it enables networks to be easily monitored and managed remotely. Quick and easy…