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Joe — Edmonton Date: 6/13/2010
Review: I got this thermostat about 2 weeks ago. Since then I have had no trouble with it’s regular use or it’s advanced programming features. Insteon programming for this device is simple and well laid out following the serial command list. A little more documentation for the programming newbie would be cool example VB,C++,HTML but hopefully some users make that happen. Allowing customers to purchase the SDK without the hardware would also probably make for a solid solution to the documentation problem.

GERI — CALGARY, AB Date: 6/6/2010
Review: Great device that brings your thermostat right to your finger tips, regardless of where you are.

dkh1020 — Katy, Texas Date: 5/18/2010
Review: Excellent thermostat! Went with the one day unit as I had no need for the extra programming capability. I have a 5 wire system and it installed in minutes with absolutely no hitches. Works exactly as described and connected to my ISY99 controller perfectly. I synced my I-phone to my ISY99 controller and had thermostat control at my fingertips. Now I can adjust and monitor the temperature in my house from anywere. Going to replace two additional thermostats in my home with this unit shortly. Great product!

HAYS — SHERWOOD, AR Date: 3/7/2010
Review: Works wonderfully. Please remember you need a device that sends RF signals to use this product.

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Buy the SwitchLinc Relay – INSTEON Remote Control On/Off Switch (Non-Dimming) 2491T1 at Smarthome.com

Don’t worry about getting up early on Saturday morning to mow the lawn ever again. Robomow® RM400 is an automatic lawnmower that cuts the grass all by itself. Simply install a perimeter wire around the edge of the lawn and other areas you don’t want Robomow to enter. Then, program the time you’d like Robomow to operate.

When it’s time to mow the lawn, Robomow will depart from the Base Station to cut your grass. Once mowing is complete, Robomow will return to the Base Station to charge until its next scheduled operation. Because Robomow works on the schedule you set for it, your lawn will even be maintained when you are away from home for long periods of time. Robomow is also equipped with a rain sensor to prevent mowing, so you won’t have to worry about forgetting to turn off the unit in inclement weather.

The Robomow RM400 is recommended for lawns of up to 3,200-4,300 feet squared (depending on grass type and condition).

Compact one blade mulching system

Remote Control used to mow very narrow areas manually (available as an accessory)

User controlled theft protection including an alarm system

Tilt Sensor – stops rotating blade immediately when Robomow is tilted

Price: $1500.00

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ROBERT — ARLINGTON, MA Date: 3/1/2010
Review: This fit nicely in the 4″ box behind a sconce and solved a problem I was having getting power to another switch. I’ll be installing a few of these now that I have the technique.

JOHN — PITTSBURGH, PA Date: 4/1/2010
Review: New slightly smaller size fits inside junction boxes.

CLAUDE — VARENNES, QC Date: 1/19/2010
Review: First experience with your product, easy to install, easy to configure and do more than I expected

RONALD — MIDLAND, MI Date: 1/4/2010
Review: I wanted to control new task lighting in the ceiling by X-10 without “switch sprawl”. I would have had to change a three switch box into a four. Pulling cable, carpentry and drywall work – all avoided! This dimmer took all of 15 minutes to install in the attic (where ugly is OK) with a new switch box and it worked perfectly the first try.

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Buy the In-LineLinc Dimmer – INSTEON Remote Control In-Line Dimmer 2475D at Smarthome.com

The TrickleStar 300SW-US-W Z-Wave USB Stick allows control and monitoring of Z-Wave enabled products from a USB port device such as a Gateway, Set Top Box or a PC. The Z-Wave USB Stick can be used with a wide range of PC and Apple Mac Home Control software available on the market.

With the Z-Wave USB Stick, you’ll be able to sends commands to other Z-Wave devices from your PC or other web-enabled devices. The USB stick includes a USB extender cable to allow the product to be remotely mounted to improve radio frequency (RF) performance.

The TrickleStar USB Stick is a Z-Wave enabled device and is compatible with Z-Wave enabled devices from a range of manufacturers. Each device in a Z-Wave network is designed to act as a repeater. Repeaters can re-transmit the RF signal to ensure that the signal is received by its intended destination by routing the signal around obstacles and radio dead spots.The Z-Wave USB Stick is designed to be used with a range of other Z-Wave compliant devices such as dimmers, drape controllers and motorized screens. The product is simple yet supports a range of Z-Wave network functionality. The product includes a USB extender cable to allow the product to be remotely mounted to improve RF performance.

Z-Wave Protocol (Static Controller)

Supports USB v1.1 protocol, full-speed

USB power / link LED indicator

Powered from USB port

Price: $29.95

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Don't squid me, bro....

Selling fear: The Vivos network, which offers partial ownerships similar to a timeshare in underground shelter communities, is one of several ventures touting escape from a surface-level calamity. Radius Engineering in Terrell, Texas, has built underground shelters for more than three decades, and business has never been better, says Walton McCarthy, company president. The company sells fiberglass shelters that can...

Hacking ATMs to spit out money, demonstrated at the Black Hat conference: The two systems he hacked on stage were made by Triton and Tranax. The Tranax hack was conducted using an authentication bypass vulnerability that Jack found in the system's remote monitoring feature, which can be accessed over the Internet or dial-up, depending on how the owner configured the...

G. — AUBURN, AL Date: 7/16/2010
Review: works great and was easy to setup.

BRUCE — BRANFORD, CT Date: 7/2/2010
Review: Easy to set up and they do what they are supposed to do. An easy way to add wireless control access to you Insteon modules.

YOLANDA — SAN DIEGO, CA Date: 6/4/2010
Review: The product work perfect and link both phases of the power in the house

JOHN — N. VERSAILLES, PA Date: 5/22/2010
Review: they cured the “hole” in my home automation. all devices insteon and x10 work consistantly perfect. thanks to insteon help line. well worth the price.

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Buy the Access Point – INSTEON Wireless Phase Coupler (2-Pack) 2443P at Smarthome.com

Afraid you are wasting gas and money? Use the LMED-001 EconoDriver to monitor and measure how much you are spending and fuel and how much money you are actually wasting. Use EconoDriver to analyze your gas usage and mileage to decide what you can do use waste less gas and money. Enter the price of fuel, and EconoDriver will do the rest!

The easy-to-read key fob display provides real-time feedback about vehicle mileage, cost of travel and the driver’s “green” score. EconoDriver is simple to install and powered by your vehicle, so no tools or wiring is needed. There’s no need to remove EconoDriver every time you exit your car. The unit is designed to withstand various temperature extremes associated with driving.

Easy to install – no tools, wires, or computers needed

Measures how much gas you are using and how much money you could be wasting

For gas, diesel or hybrid engines in models 1996 or newer

Price: $89.98

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Cisco recently released the 2010 Midyear Security Report and I caught up with one of the principal authors, Mary Landesman, Senior Security Researcher at Cisco.  Mary talks about the outcomes of the report and how the security landscape is changing.

NSP-BHDC2010-MaryLandesman.mp3

Cisco recently released the 2010 Midyear Security Report and I caught up with one of the principal authors, Mary Landesman, Senior Security Researcher at Cisco.  Mary talks about the outcomes of the report and how the security landscape is changing.

NSP-BHDC2010-MaryLandesman.mp3

"Who controls the off switch?" by Ross Anderson and Shailendra Fuloria. Abstract: We're about to acquire a significant new cybervulnerability. The world's energy utilities are starting to install hundreds of millions of 'smart meters' which contain a remote off switch. Its main purpose is to ensure that customers who default on their payments can be switched remotely to a prepay...

The NewKinetix NK100 Re Universal IR Remote Control can turn your iPhone or iPod touch into a universal remote control that works in any room of your home. Away from home, the Re and your iPhone or iPod give you the power to mute the loud TV nobody is watching, or change channels in the break room when the office remote is lost. There are no limits to the number of locations that you can use your Re. There is no need for WiFi, so plug your Re into your iPhone or iPod touch and download the Re Universal Remote Control App (free) to personalize control of your AV entertainment everywhere.

Features typically found only on High-End Dedicated Universal Remotes

Easy to Setup and Fun to Use

Works Everywhere – Take it from Room to Room and to the Office

Remotes for all of your Devices are Instantly Accessible

Supports Virtually all Brands & Types of AV Equipment

No Batteries, No Extra Boxes, No WiFi Required

Replaces Lost or Broken Remotes

Price: $69.95

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DOUG — ORANGE, CA Date: 4/23/2010
Review: You’ve seen it, right? The iPhone commercial that shows a family waiting for their flight at the airport and then they remember that they forgot to lock the door or turn off a light. Well, that commercial advertises a company and service that requires a monthly fee of 13-15 dollars a month. The SmartLinc can do the same but with no monthly fee. Just get this connected to your home router, set your port for accessing outside of your home and add devices to things you want to control lamps: LampLinc, wall switches: SwitchLinc. It uses a web application so you’re not locked into an Apple app. That means you can log into your home and control it while at a computer or mobile phone. Very simple device setup and well worth the price.

DEBRA — CENTERVILLE, MA Date: 6/29/2010
Review: Excellent. Love this item. Very easy to install and use.

CHRISTOPHER — SAN CARLOS, CA Date: 6/11/2010
Review: So far this works great, though you have to be careful about resetting it and losing all your settings, also don’t use DHCP!

SCOTT — SAN JOSE, CA Date: 6/9/2010
Review: I use the product to control my X10 devices from my IPhone through Safari and it works great. The quickstart guide was straightforward and took no time to get it set up. It did take a little extra research time to configure the controller to communicate with the X10 devices, but once I figured out how to code it in, it works great. I recommend it to anyone who would like a way to control their home automation(X10 devices in my case) via your IPhone.

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Buy the SSmartLinc – INSTEON Central Controller 2412N at Smarthome.com

The DNSSEC root key has been divided among seven people: Part of ICANN's security scheme is the Domain Name System Security, a security protocol that ensures Web sites are registered and "signed" (this is the security measure built into the Web that ensures when you go to a URL you arrive at a real site and not an identical pirate...

It’s a scary thought, but there could be dozens of copies of your keys out in the world! Have you ever left a key for the gardener, the electrician, the plumber or how about the housekeeper? It takes a hardware store about 5 minutes to create a copy of a key. If you’ve left a key for anyone working on your home, you may have exposed your home’s first line of security. You may have known your plumber for 10 years, but how often does your plumber send his apprentice without you knowing it?

Ever leave a spare key in a planter box or under a welcome mat? Newsflash – those are the first places a potential burglar will look! Get a grip on your home’s security and install a keyless lock set. With a keypad locket, you can program specific codes for your plumber or housekeeper and change them regularly, so there’s chance they can enter your home when you don’t want them there! As an added bonus, you’ll never get locked out of the house again, and forget about fumbling for the right key for the door. Just punch in your code and unlock the door.

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Irvine, CA – Smarthome announced today that it is one of seven preferred retail partners of the Blue Line PowerCost Monitor™ WiFi Gateway (BLI 31100). The product is in stock and available through Smarthome.com for $159, or bundled with the PowerCost Monitor™ and Energy Meter (BLI 28000) for $268.

The PowerCost Monitor™ and Energy Meter is a device that, when attached to a home’s electric meter, can read real-time power consumption. When coupled with the new PowerCost Monitor™ WiFi Gateway, that information can then be relayed to the Microsoft® Hohm™ online portal where it can be compiled and analyzed. The unit is do-it-yourself friendly and is safe to install without an electrician.

Hohm™ is an online application launched by Microsoft® which enables consumers to analyze their energy usage while providing energy saving recommendations. It gives users the ability to benchmark their personal results with other communities and group members.

“This is certainly an exciting product for us to offer our customers,” said Mike Scharnagl, Director of Marketing at Smarthome. “The WiFi Gateway is the perfect addition for those who already own a PowerCost Monitor. For those who want to start keeping an eye on their energy consumption, it can be purchased as a kit with the PowerCost Monitor. Our core consumers are home automation enthusiasts, and the WiFi Gateway allows them to monitor their energy consumption remotely using Hohm™.”

Smarthome offers a variety of home automation systems that lets users enjoy convenient, energy efficient lighting and appliance control – including its award-winning INSTEON® technology. Using INSTEON®, products can be controlled via switches, keypads and dimmers; handheld remote controls; triggers and motion sensors; touchscreens; and via the Internet or web-enabled devices such as cell phones.

About Smarthome™
Founded in 1992, Smarthome was created based on the realization of a need for automated products that make lives easier, safer and more enjoyable. Today, Smarthome sells more than 6,000 hard-to-find products, including home automation solutions featuring award-winning INSTEON technology. Smarthome sells online through their award-winning website at Smarthome.com, through their direct mail catalog and via their brick and mortar retail store located in Irvine, CA.

About INSTEON®
INSTEON is the best selling Home Area Networking (HAN) technology on the market. It is the only mesh network capable of utilizing two independent means of communication, RF and powerline, thus also making it the most reliable technology. With over 200 products and kits on the market, INSTEON makes it is easy to link together home systems such as lighting, security, HVAC (comfort control), A/V, appliances, and sensors, allowing them to be controlled or monitored from anywhere in the world. INSTEON products can also be used in Smart Grid applications including load shedding, demand response and real-time power reporting.

For more information:
www.smarthome.com
www.bluelineinnovations.com
www.microsoft-hohm.com
www.insteon.net
Contact:
Smarthome
Mike Scharnagl, 949-252-6962
pr@smartlabsinc.com

Do you multi-task while waiting for your shower to warm up? If you’re brushing your teeth in the sink, you can easily tell when the shower is ready. But if you leave the room to make the bed or put on a pot of coffee, you won’t know until you return to the bathroom. And by that time, the hot water could have been running for minutes, wasting water and adding unnecessary dollars to your utility bills.

With the evolve SS-1002PB-US Ladybug Showerhead Adapter you’ll know exactly when your shower is ready, and conserve water until you are able to enter your shower. The Ladybug Showerhead Adapter attaches to virtually any shower arm with industry standard 1/2“ fittings. Equipped with ShowerStart™ technology, the showerhead adapter is designed to lower the water stream to a trickle once the ideal bathing temperature is attained. Once you hear the “drip drip”, you’ll know your shower is ready. Then, resume the normal flow by flipping the switch.

Adding this adapter to your existing showerhead can save up to $75 in utility bills and 2,700 gallons per year (based on family of three, showering daily and saving one minute of hot water per shower).

ShowerStart™ technology – save time, water & money without lowering water flow

Compatible with virtually all showerheads

1/2’’ fittings

Quick and easy installation

Solid brass construction

Anti-lime protection

Integrated debris screen filter

Price: $27.18

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Polished brass Brushed nickel Oil rubbed bronze

Okay, this is just weird: Mark S. Price, a specialist in public security, and his privately held company, Paradise Lost Antiterrorism Network of America (www.plan-a.us), have recently applied to the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a Utility Patent on their Suicide Bomb Deterrent, a security device designed, manufactured and distributed by PLAN-A. This device has been designed to...

Well, not quite; I have a few more hours of getting packed and work before I head to the airport, but close enough.  But around lunch, I’ll be throwing all my stuff in the trunk of the car and heading for Las Vegas, Black Hat, Defcon and BSides!  I find this trio of events to be my favorite get together of security professionals.  Black Hat has the slightly more serious, business oriented presentations, Defcon tends to be a bit outrages and inflammatory, while BSides is the new kid who’s experimenting with different formats and venues.  If you’re a security professional of almost any stripe and you’re not at least petitioning to attend these events, you need to start.  The networking opportunities alone are worth the cost and when you throw what you learn about current threats, it’s not that difficult to justify, especially BSides and Defcon.  Tell your boss you heard about an amazing panel going on Sunday at noon called PCI, Compromising Controls and Compromising Security.

Whether you’re going or not, Rob McMillan over at IDG has done a good job of summarizing some of the key stories you should be watching come out  of Vegas this week.  I should be able to get interviews with at least a few of the people giving these talks, so keep an eye out here and the podcast page for this year’s series of microcasts.  Or if you hate those, you might just want to unsubscribe until next week.  In fact, if you don’t want to hear about the events going on in Vegas this week, you just might want to stop reading most security blogs, Twitter, Facebook, blogs and most other social media outlets security folks use for a little while. 

Following the twitter stream, it’s easy to see that there are a lot of security professionals eager to get to Las Vegas, meet with old friends, make new ones and get the party started.  And the parties really are an integral part of the the whole experience.  If nothing else, try making it to the IOActive Freakshow Saturday night; if last year is any example of what they have planned for this year, it’ll be worth it if only so you can say you saw it.  Just be careful how much you drink and what you say, you don’t want to be this year’s example of someone who ignored that cardinal rule.

So much for seeing eight hours of sleep a night for at least a week.