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- Palm
unveils a smartphone for younger users
Taking the next step toward rebuilding its lineup of smartphones,
Palm announced on Wednesday a new cellphone called the Pixi. Palm
also announced it was dropping the price of its Pre smartphone
by $50 to $150, with a two-year service agreement and after a
$150 instant rebate and $100 mail-in rebate.
New
York Times
(9/9)
- Blu-ray
association wants to take lead in 3-D technologies
The Blu-ray Disc Association wants to take a leading role in the
development of specifications to guide the advancement of 3-D
technology. "Just as Blu-ray Disc has paved the way for next-generation,
high-definition home entertainment, it will also set the standard
for 3-D home viewing in the future," said Victor Matsuda,
the chairman of the BDA's Global Promotions Committee.
Pocket-lint.co.uk
(9/2)
- Nielsen
study shows TV, Internet complementary
More than half of those with high-speed Internet -- 57% of them
-- say they enjoy watching content on TV and online simultaneously,
according to a new study by Nielsen. Gary Holmes, a spokesman
for the research company, said that "what we're finding is
that there's a connection between the two media, and that innovative
marketers can take advantage of that. One medium can be used to
reinforce the other.
Reuters
(9/2)
- HAI
introduces IP-based advanced energy display options for home automation
HAI's
new OmniTouch 5.7e and OmniTouch 10p touchscreens are capable
of displaying real time information about a home's energy consumption,
the current cost of energy, and notifications from the utility
company. HAI's Omni and Lumina family of home control systems
can also respond to changes in energy cost by controlling energy
consuming devices in the home such as air conditioners, lighting,
hot water heaters, pool/fountain pumps, and more.
HiddenWires
(9/7)
- Energy
Star to release stricter guidelines for TVs
The
U.S. EPA-run Energy Star program released new guidelines for TV
sets that will take effect in two waves - the first coming next
May and the second beginning in May 2012. Version 4.0, which takes
effect May 1, will reduce energy use in TVs 40%; Version 5.0,
which starts May 1, 2012, will cut energy use 65%.
ElectronicHouse.com
(9/4)
- Dream
HDTVs On A Budget
Even
in tough economic times, the desire for entertainment is strong
and the pull of those dazzling high-definition screens can lead
consumers to spend when they should save. If you find yourself
about to plop down a wad of cash for a new HDTV, make sure you've
done your research first.
Forbes.com
(9/8)
- TV
services now introducing downloadable applications
DirecTV
and the FiOS service from Verizon Communications have recently
announced app stores modeled directly on Apple’s App Store.
Just a few applications have shown up so far, but already these
few — Bible verses, Facebook updates and fantasy sports team
updates — suggest that people may not be content to sit back
while watching TV but rather want to lean forward and interact
and customize their TVs.
New
York Times
(9/7)
- Apple
slashes iPod prices up to $120
Apple
has chopped $20 to $120 off the prices of most of its iPod line.
The new prices were posted only hours before Apple was expected
to replace most if not all of its existing iPods with new models
loaded with more memory and added functions, such as a camera.
CNNMoney
(9/9)
- NETGEAR
rolls out set-top box for downloaded media
Netgear
has introduced the EVA2000 Digital Entertainer Live set-top box,
a system that allows users to listen to and view their personally
downloaded music, photos and videos through their televisions.
The new device, which will retail for about $150, "enables
people to fully enjoy their home-media collections and online
video from popular Internet sites on the best screen in their
home -- their big-screen TVs," according to Netgear's Phillip
Pyo.
Dealerscope
(9/9)
- Study:
25% of U.S. households now watch TV shows online
A
new survey by the Conference Board reports that 25% of U.S. households
watch TV shows and movies online as opposed to 20% just one year
ago. The survey went on to say that the most popular forms of
content for online viewers was news with 43%, sitcoms/dramas with
35%, reality shows with 20% and sports with 18%.
Los
Angeles Times
(9/9)
- Mobile
video is likely to soar over next eight years
Worldwide mobile-broadband users will view 1.8 exabytes of video
per month by 2017, research company Coda predicts. While the demand
for faster, higher-bandwidth services will probably strain networks
until upgrades are completed, it may also lead to as-yet-unimaginable
innovations.
ReadWriteWeb
(9/8)
- Apple
gives OK to rival music service Spotify
Apple
has approved Spotify, a European-based rival to its iTunes digital-music
service, for the iPhone's App Store. Spotify, which also runs
on the Android operating system, has so far been limited to the
European market. Spotify could also soon show up on Sony Ericsson
devices: The handset maker said last week that it might strike
a deal with Spotify to boost its entertainment menu.
San
Francisco Chronicle/PC World
(9/7)
Click here for
CABA's Industry Events Update
| Large
Building Automation |
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- ZigBee
RF4CE Specification Available for Download
The
ZigBee Alliance, a global ecosystem of companies creating wireless
solutions for use in energy management, commercial and consumer
applications, recently announced the ZigBee RF4CE specification
for advanced remote controls is now available for public download.
Reuters
(9/9)
- EnOcean
emerges as lighting control wireless standard
Today
113 companies, including Leviton, Masco, Distech Controls, Philips
Ledalite and Osram Sylvania, have engineered products that simplify
building automation system installations using wireless and energy
harvesting sensors, switches and controls.
Reuters
(9/3)
- Honeywell
completes solar installation at Toronto hospital
Sunnybrook
Health Sciences Centre and Honeywell celebrated the completion
of an innovative solar photovoltaic installation.
The new installation, part of a $28-million facility renewal program
that also includes a variety of energy-efficient upgrades, will
help the hospital cut energy costs and reduce its environmental
impact.
Marketwire
(9/9)
- Echelon
gets boost from new contract in Finland
Echelon said its partner, Spanish firm Telvent GIT S.A., had been
chosen by Finish giant Fortum Oyj to provide the advanced metering
technology using Echelon's networked energy services. It is the
largest smart meter project in Finland, Echelon said, where there
are 3.1 million electricity customers.
Wall
Street Journal
(8/28)
- FCC
seeks smart grid comments on broadband plan
The
Federal Communications Commission is seeking comments on its draft
broadband plan, which it is preparing to send to Congress in February.
The FCC has released two such requests, one seeking comments on
the role of broadband in teleworking and another on the role of
broadband in building the Smart Grid.
SmartGridNews.com
(9/8)
- Managing
the electrical load
The
bulk of buildings lack operational performance data, which means
that proper management is almost impossible. Jim Sinopoli, managing
principal of Smart Buildings, looks at various technologies to
obtain data in order to manage the electrical load.
ConstructionWEEKonline.com
(9/7)
- Very
smart cities emerging in Asia
South
Korea's Songdo and China's Meixi Lake are spending billions on
intelligent networks with an eco-vibe. Songdo's backers, which
include Gale International and Morgan Stanley , are betting the
city can become a northeast Asia trade hub, linking nearby Shanghai
and Tokyo. It will also be a model for a new Gale project, Meixi
Lake, to be built in China's Hunan Province starting later this
year.
Forbes.com
(9/3)
- HP
releases video wall product for enterprise
The
HP Executive Video Wall enables you to aggregate multiple IP video
streams from across your
enterprise and display them on a single screen thus allowing the
flexibility to view your distribution feeds outside the master
control room. By using the HP Executive Video Wall, you can monitor
your IP feeds from the comfort of your office or a remote location
- using just an HP workstation and display.
HP
(9/9)
- Fluke
releases new themocouple clamp for HVAC/R technicians
Fluke
Corporation, a global leader in handheld electronic test and measurement
technology, has introduced a new, larger pipe temperature clamp
designed to help professionals in the heating, ventilation, air
conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry quickly measure
the temperatures that reveal how well systems are functioning.
Marketwire
(9/8)
- New
introductory guide released by ASHRAE
A
newly released guide from ASHRAE on building information models
and building information modeling (BIM) serves as a resource for
professionals considering BIM tools and applications for their
businesses.
ThomasNet
(9/8)
- Stronger
digital infrastructure, better economic potential
“Building
for the future” is a very hollow statement when the vast
majority of stimulus funding is aimed at maintaining the past.
Though federal stimulus programs might have good intentions, they
really don’t do too much for improving the digital infrastructure,
according to James Carlini, an adjunct professor at Northwestern
University and president of Carlini & Associates.
MidWestBusiness.com
(8/24)
- Seven
deadly sins of building security
You've
got a few security guards and your CCTV system is up to snuff.
You've got your building security covered, right? Think again.
While many organizations are taking the steps to ensure their
building is secure, many are ignoring basic pieces of the puzzle
that is physical security in and around a facility.
Computerworld
(9/8)
- Leviton
charts aggressive India strategy
Leviton
is scouting for distribution and solutions partners in India for
its networking solutions comprising passive components, cables,
and last-mile wireless products. The company is also looking for
systems integrators for its building automation, energy management,
lighting and power control offerings.
CRN
(8/15)
- Unlock
a data treasury trove in existing electrical grids
When
utilities have a wealth of data and don't take advantage of it,
an embarrassment of riches becomes just an embarrassment. That's
the situation facing most utilities as the smart grid goes mainstream.
GE executive John McDonald explains how utilities can make powerful
use of information they may not even know they have.
SmartGridNews.com
(9/8)
- Consider
these items before starting a project
Reed
Construction Data has developed a basic list of some contractor
must-haves for small to medium-size projects. Most are obvious
and general, but it is good to use a checklist. Of course you
must customize your checklist to take into account the requirements
of the project at hand.
Reed
Construction Data
(7/16)
| Member
Press Releases |
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- Global
Caché Launches iTach Family of WiFi and Ethernet Connectivity
Products
Global Caché, known for its highly successful GC-100 Network
Adapters, recently announced the new iTach Family of Products
designed to connect any control system, including the iPhone and
iPod touch, to common household devices so they can be easily
accessed and controlled. Employing the iTach and remote control
software available through iTunes, the Apple iPhone/iPod touch
is transformed into a universal remote control in a matter of
minutes.
- IP
for Smart Objects
This
paper from the Internet Protocol for Smart Objects (IPSO) Alliance
is an overview of the benefits of equipping devices with Internet
protocol interfaces for communications. The Internet protocols
are summarized. The claimed benefits of IP are open, lightweight,
versatile, ubiquitous, scalable, manageable, stable, and end-to-end.
Read
the full report as published in CABA's Public Research Library.
Paid CABA membership provides you access to the full CABA Research
Library, which has grown by 300 new reports within the last two
years.
| Education
& Training |
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- ASHRAE
provides opportunity for continuing education
In
keeping with ASHRAE’s goal of continuing education, the Society
will once again offer fall online seminars. These online, instructor-led
seminars will run from late September through early November and
are available to those interested in expanding their knowledge
of the HVAC industry and keeping up to date with the latest technology
and their applications. Many popular courses will be offered,
several of which will include updated material. Learn
more.
- Eight
new courses available from CEDIA Registered Outreach Instructors
CEDIA
is proud to announce the addition of eight new courses approved
for continuing education through the American Institute of Architects
(AIA), the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD), the Interior
Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC), and the National
Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Now ready for delivery
by registered outreach instructors (ROIs) in your area, this FREE
education will benefit you, your chapter members, and your associates
by providing a basic level of home technology information relative
to the design and build process.
- Webcast:
"Lessons in BIM Adoption"
On
September 23 at 2 pm ET, please join Dennis Neeley, AIA, Cindy
Bremer, and Mark Mergenschroer for a complimentary webcast from
Reed Construction Data, moderated by Rex Miller. The webcast will
examine why building information model (BIM) adoption is important,
how BIM implementations are approached, and provide a full analysis
on the overall results for adopting BIM.
Register
now.
- Webinar:
Data Center of the Future
Data
centers are expected to deliver reliable services and provide
24/7 application availability. As a result, data center operators
are constantly evaluating next generation technologies and methodologies
to address the associated challenges, while mitigating unwanted
costs and risks. Please join Cisco and Panduit for an online event
on Thursday, September 17 at 11:30 am ET, during which you will
have the opportunity to learn how you can optimize the physical
infrastructure of your data center over its entire life cycle.
Register
now.
| CABA
News |
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- CABA
at CEDIA Expo
On September 9, the Connected Home Research Council Family Ecosystem
Forum, hosted by Whirlpool Corporation in Atlanta, GA, brought
together leading companies dealing with the integration of consumer
electronics and other cutting-edge technology throughout the home.
For copies of the presentations, please contact Alex Detre, CABA’s
Research Director at detre@caba.org or 613.686.1814 x228. CABA
will also have a display at CEDIA Expo, September 9 through 13,
at booth 3000. Please drop by to learn more about the organization.
- Connected
Home Study executive summary available for free download
The
executive summary of CABA's 2008 State of the Connected Home Market
Study is now available for free download. The study was commissioned
by CABA's Connected Home Research Council and conducted by Zanthus,
a high-tech market research firm, to investigate consumer attitudes
and behaviors with regard to the connected home. Zanthus conducted
a series of Web surveys among both primary market consumers, defined
as consumers who adopt technology as products first come on the
market, and mass market consumers, defined as those who wait for
prices to fall or to assess a product's popularity before making
new technology purchases. The executive summary contains a precis
of the results and is provided as a free benefit to industry by
CABA.
- CABA
to hold senior housing and living ideation session at CEDIA
On
September 10 at 9 am, in Atlanta, prior to the opening of CEDIA
Expo, Whirlpool Corporation will host a moderated brainstorming
discussion with POCO Labs’ representatives regarding collaborative
research project opportunities pertaining to senior housing and
living. Interested parties should contact CABA in advance of the
meeting to participate and provide input to help frame specific
and strategic interests regarding this topic via the completion
of a project opportunity worksheet. All input garnered in advance
of the meeting will be utilized to develop a senior housing ecosystem
that takes into account existing, new and emerging opportunities.
This information will also be used during an ideation session
with working groups to identify a more strategic focus and approach
for CABA's connected home research. If you would like to participate
in this ideation session on senior housing and living and receive
a copy of the project opportunity worksheet, please contact Alex
Detre, CABA’s Research Director at detre@caba.org
or 613.686.1814 x228.
| SmartQuote |
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"He who never made a mistake never made a discovery."
--Samuel Smiles,
Scottish author
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Don O'Connor 613.686.1814
x226 |
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