Best Buy and LifeWare (by Exceptional Innovation) have teamed up to offer home builders a turn-key home-automation package. The $15,000 package includes hardware, software and installation. It is expandable now or in the future.
This system includes:
- An HP z560 Digital Entertainment Center (Media Center PC) with LifeWare software
- A 32-inch HDTV, which becomes the dashboard for controlling lights, climate, security and digital entertainment throughout the home
- An Xbox 360, which serves as a game system and a media center extender
- One networked thermostat
- Two Panasonic surveillance cameras
- Ten Insteon Remote light switches with two keypads
For more details, go to Best Buy For Business.
H-P Products Hide-A-Hose for Central Vacuum Systems. Dirt Devil and VACUFLO, both manufactured by H-P Products, introduced the Hide-A-Hose Retractable Hose System This system offers homeowners a simple solution for using a central vacuum system without having to lug the hose around the house. With the Hide-A-Hose, simply pull out the length of hose needed, connect the vacuum handle, and begin vacuuming. When finished, the system uses the suction from the central vacuum power unit to draw the hose back into the PVC tubing hidden within the walls, attic, and floor joists of the home. Click here to watch the video.
I didn't see the whole show. I was there for less than two days, and the exhibit area covered more than 1 million square feet of exhibits with 1,800 exhibitors. However, I hope that these highlights will help not only those that did not have the opportunity to attend, but the people who did attend but might have missed these products while trudging the aisles. I'm already looking forward to next year — even if my feet are not.
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