Google Goes Home: Android Feet On Your Couch
By Bob Snyder
Editor, rAVe Europe While more and more all our homes are connected to the mainland of Internet, the rooms in our homes (with their various devices) remain the world's largest archipelago. Millions of rooms, hundreds of millions of devices that can't talk, won't talk with each other remain islands without digital bridges to one another.
Many companies, many groups, many associations have tried and failed to integrate home appliances via a home network. Now Google wants its turn as bridge-maker — the masters of Android will offer open source libraries that will enable developers to build Apps that can discover, connect and communicate with devices and appliances in the home.
Google announced its new platform in a keynote address at Google I/O 2011: Android@Home will be a system for connecting home devices via Google protocols and APIs.
"We want to think of every device in your home as a connection to Android Apps," says Hugo Barra, product management director for Google, in the keynote. (Remember Barra from the famous Google IFA keynote?)
In the past, many companies designed protocols and integrated the technology on the appliance side, leaving client-side software and devices to integrate as they chose. Android@Home works the other way around… and appliances will have to catch up. There are over 100 million Android phones activated worldwide across 36 phone makers, 215 carriers, and 450,000 Android developers. Over 400,000 Android devices are activated every day, and there are more than 310 Android devices across 12 countries.
There are over 200,000 Apps available in the Android Market and there have been 4.5 billion app installs.
If you think about it, this strategy will attempt to force the untamed home networks into capitulation by launching an overwhelming outside force. As an example of an outside force, imagine a fleet of thousands of Android ships (devices), powered by OS hitting the shoreline of each and every island.
Google did not say which OS Android@Home will use: presumably it could be the new Ice Cream Sandwich (launches in Q4) that unites Android for both the tablet and the phone.
But no matter which OS, Android@Home will connect a user's Android device to other appliances in the home via a suite of new services (released date unknown, but it sounds like Q4).
Examples shown at Google I/O 2011 include Lighting Science, who will launch wireless lighting products to support Android@Home. They plan to ship by end of year at least five products, including internal lamps and external lighting fixtures that use the technology. One external lighting fixture features an attached security camera. According to Lighting Science, Android@Home will use a new version of a wireless network developed by Google. This wireless network will be designed to allow for enough bandwidth to transfer video. Lighting Science says the network itself will consume "negligible power" compared to the 12 watts of power a typical lamp consumes.
Google says it will be low cost and they also apply Android@Home to smart-grid applications.
Another example shown at Google I/O 2011 was Project Tungsten. A Tungsten device runs the Android OS and the Android@Home framework. It drives a whole-house wireless speaker system (that can be synced via Android), wireless light switches (that can be synced via Android) and other appliances (that can be synced via Android). Google TV will be upgraded to Android 3.1 this summer. Google will also dive once more into the battle for content, launching a music service, Music Beta by Google. Users can upload their music to the cloud both on the web and on a mobile device. Google also announced Android Open Accessory, where Android device builders can build an accessory and integrate into any Android phone. One example included an exercise bike that connected to a phone via a charging plug that also launched a cardio App.
If everything else runs on Android, can the homes resist?
Google, the Great Disruptor, is sailing home and if Android-enabled devices are like the launch of a Thousand Ships, then the larger force of independent Android App developers are more like an irresistible tide, an enormous wave of applications… Companies like Sonos, associations like ZigBee, DNLA and many others stand now in a new position whether they can either ignore or embrace this giant tide of App developers… a mile-high tsunami of developers that promises to not just wash up on shore but to wash away many of the familiar landmarks in residential.
Watch Barra on stage at IFA with Google’s Eric Schmidt here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RApmPikUEMM&feature=youtu.be Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top A New CEDIA EXPO Designed to Help Your Business Adapt to a Changing Industry CEDIA EXPO registration opens in mere days. Are you ready for a new show experience? CEDIA EXPO provides a forum for you to explore new avenues, whether that means taking courses that will help take your business to the next level or scouring the show floor to learn about the latest technologies entering the market. Check out some of the new CEDIA EXPO offerings that can help your business stay ahead of the curve.
Course Selection Tool
CEDIA has created a new course selection tool to help you make the most out of all courses offered at CEDIA EXPO. This new resource helps you simplify your education decisions and recommends courses based on your interests and business needs. The course selection tool provides a defined list of options that are tailored specifically to you, your employees, and your business. Access the course selection tool here. In addition, all courses offered at CEDIA EXPO 2011 have been categorized to help you make smarter decisions based on business goals, strategies, and job function. Categories include Business Growth, Operational Excellence, Emerging Trends, Technical Excellence, and Forging Alliances.
Members-Only Education Pass & New Courses
Once again, this year CEDIA will offer the $299 Members-Only Education Pass, enabling participants to take as many courses as they can fit into their schedule. This year’s course offerings include over 30 new and revised courses. Check out some of the new courses listed below:
ESD033 – Apple, Google, and the Cloud – Content Delivery in the 21st Century Home – This panel session will feature experienced electronic systems contractors who have first-hand experience selling and installing content delivery systems. Learn what’s new, hear about the real projects from experienced ESCs and get your questions answered by the experts.
ESCR001 – Business Opportunities for Energy Management in Green Tech – Discover the many ways your company can make money in the fast-growing field of home energy management, from energy-efficient home control technologies to the Smart Grid to LED lighting and more. Also, see real-world examples of homes with energy-saving technologies.
ESB086 – Wash, Rinse, Repeat: Standardizing Your Business Model – Increase your company’s efficiency, profitability, and success with standardization. Regulate your company’s operations to streamline processes and increase the velocity and volume of predictable, highly profitable projects. Implement policies, procedures, and best practices that, when followed, repeatedly provide amazing results.
To see a full list of new and updated courses, click here.
The Future Technology Pavilion:
Last year’s Future Technology Pavilion was the buzz of the show floor. This year, the Future Technology Pavilion returns, showcasing all-new technologies. The 2011 pavilion will simulate a future home environment, with rooms focused on technologies for the kitchen, bath, bedroom, game room, and garage. This year’s pavilion will include home health technology, wireless power for cooking and charging, and immersive gaming. The Future Technology Pavilion provides you insight on what you need to learn now to be profitable later. Make sure your schedule includes a visit to this year’s pavilion. Back to Top TV One Sold to Nortek Earlier this week, TV One was sold to a subsidiary of Nortek, Inc., the company that owns Niles, Magenta Research, SpeakerCraft, OmniMount and Panamax among a plethora of other companies. Back in 2009, they filed for bankruptcy (Chapter 11) but times must be looking up for them with the $26 million purchase of TV One. The sale includes all TV One related, wholly-owned companies in the US, UK, Taiwan and China. TV One will be included in Nortek's Technology Products segment and closely aligned with Magenta Research LTD. The transaction was completed on April 28, 2011.
David K. Barnes, TV One CEO, stated, “We recently celebrated our 25th anniversary in the Pro AV industry and have established a record of consistent growth, profitability and product innovation. At the upcoming InfoComm Show, we will launch an entirely new technology and product range that will usher in a new era for TV One. As part of the Nortek family of companies, I look forward to maximizing the opportunities that will take TV One to the next level. I personally look forward to being part of that continuing success.”
TV One is probably best known for their scaler products – including as an OEM manufacturer to AV industry companies Kramer and DVIGear. They can be found online here: http://www.tvone.com/index.php Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Star Wars – Finally on Blu-ray This is my publication so I can print any story I want – and I’m a Star Wars fan, so I choose to print this one! -Gary
Reprinted from THX BLOG
On May 4th, Star Wars fans throughout the galaxy rejoiced at the news that LucasFilm and 20th Century Fox would be releasing the complete saga on Blu-ray Disc this coming September. As an added bonus, all 6 films will be THX Certified for audio and video quality. The certification of these discs marks an almost 30 year relationship between THX, LucasFilm and Fox that dates back to 1983, when audiences got their first taste of a THX Sound System at the box office debut of Return of the Jedi — which also marked the introduction of THX Deep Note.
As audio and video materials are mastered and encoded for optical disc, many things can go wrong, resulting in degradation to image and sound quality. This is where THX comes into play, working closely with the LucasFilm team to ensure that each film maintains every bit of artistic and technical detail as the sound and visuals move through the post-production chain.
Want to order it? Go here: http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Complete-Episodes-Blu-ray/dp/B003ZSJ212/ref=amb_link_355035642_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1B5QJX3NM2EG77AYBS3Y&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1297099062&pf_rd_i=281446 Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top iPort Finally Has IP Control iPort’s FS-23 — the company’s iPhone/iPod dock — now supports IP two-way control, including cover art, artist and album information.
If you already have an FS-23, you can get a free firmware upgrade via IP-connection to a Mac or PC – via a browser.
Learn more here: http://www.iportmusic.com/products/free-standing/FS-23 Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top XpanD 3D and Panasonic Try for New 3D Standard A new standard developed by 3D specialist XpanD and Panasonic is called M-3DI. ExpanD will license the new active-shutter 3D tech, hoping to become the standard for the universe of 3D (3D TVs, computers, home projectors and cinema projection).
Panasonic, the first licensor of the M-3DI standard, is founding partner but others are already joining in, including Changhong, Funai, Hisense, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Philips, Sanyo, Seiko Epson, Sim2 and Viewsonic.
The American industry association CEA is looking for an industry-wide 3D standard and, of course, M-3DI is one of the standards applying for the job. Universal 3D eyewear (where you don’t have the market splintered by separate eyeglasses required to match different brands and different categories of 3D products) is an important step to spur widespread consumer adoption. In fact, you could wonder how 3D TV ever hoped to make it without putting such a standard in place first.
This standard allows communication between glasses and components (IR technology now, but RF communications may be used in the future). You put on the glasses on and they recognize the brand and model in use. Using a PC/tablet/netbook or through an XpanD app on a handheld device, the user can adjust to user issues (transition time and dark time, ghosting and brightness).
XpanD expects most of the same companies that backed HDMI standard to get behind the M-3DI standard. The first wave of CE products incorporating the M-3DI standard may appear as soon as IFA Berlin in September, but will they arrive in time to make any real impact for the all-important Q4 sales?
The cost of licensing terms are "very small, a few cents per unit." Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Crestron Launches Next-Gen DigitalMedia System Last week, Crestron introduced DigitalMedia 8G+, what they are calling the next generation of its single-wire digital AV network infrastructure technology – using standard CAT5e, Crestron’s DM 8G Cable or CresFiber 8G.
DigitalMedia carries virtually any mix of digital and analog AV signals over a single wire, and is capable of carrying uncompressed 1080p HD video with Deep Color, 3D video, and high-definition computer signals, plus HD digital audio, control, data, and Ethernet. It can transmit them up to 330 feet over standard CAT5e or DM 8G cable, or 1,000 feet using CresFiber 8G.
Interested in learning more, go here: http://www.crestron.com/products/digitalmedia_analog_digital_audio_video_av_distribution/ Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top IOGEAR Shows USB-to-HDMI Adapter IOGEAR recently showed the industry’s first “portable” USB-to-HDMI Adapter, the GUC2025H, designed to connect additional HD displays to a desktop or laptop computer using a USB 2.0 cable. With a USB-to-HDMI Adapter in place, laptop users will be able to have up to three displays showing content — the laptop screen, a second display via the built-in VGA port and a third from the USB port courtesy of IOGEAR’s new adapter. The GUC2025H complements convergence since it provides a hard-wired streaming solution to get any standard or HD content from a PC to the TV with only a single HDMI cable connection. YouTube, Hulu and other computer content can be streamed to the TV interference-free with ease. Want all the specs? Go here: http://www.iogear.com/product/GUC2025H/ Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Onkyo Debuts Midline Networked Receiver That Scales to 4K Not the high-end but not the low-end either, Onkyo’s new TX-NR809 THX Select2 Plus, 7.2-channel, network-capable home theater receiver is specifically an upgrade to last year's TX-NR808 model. Capable of upscaling all inputs to 1080p or to 4K resolution (3840 x 2160), the 135-watts-per-channel receiver includes seven HDMI inputs, a plethora of legacy-analog ports including composite, s-video and component video and two HDMI outputs. And, this receiver is certified for Windows 7 and DLNA, and can playback a wide variety digital audio file formats via a home network or USB devices, and it is capable of wireless connectivity via Onkyo's optional UFW-1 wireless USB adaptor.
The Onkyo TX-NR809 will be available from Onkyo dealers in May with suggested retail price of $1,099 and you can see all the specs here: http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=TX-NR809&class=Receiver&p=i Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top SANUS Ships VisionMount Super Slim Mount SANUS is now shipping the VisionMount VMF308 Super Slim full-motion wall mount, a 1.1" depth, full-motion wall mount for all HDTV’s from 26" – 47".
SANUS first launched the Super Slim category in July 2009 with the introduction of two Super Slim low-profile mounts. The brand has since expanded the Super Slim offering to include Super Slim tilting and full-motion mounts. The VMF308 is the second full-motion wall mount being offered in the SANUS Super Slim category; the first was the VLF311 which was released in January of this year.
The VMF308 features include fingertip tilt, a cable management guide system integrated into the mount, an easy-glide system for moving the TV for different viewing angles and a decorative cover.
The VMF308 lists for $199.99 and details can be found here: http://www.sanus.com/us/en/products/visionmount/full-motion-mount/VMF308 Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Screen Innovations Debuts Black Diamond G3 Screens Screen Innovations Black Diamond G3 screen materials (in sizes ranging from 80” to 142”) promises better images in brighter environments. Offered in a new 2.7 gain so it can be used for 3D applications, SI claims it offers better viewing angles than their other screen materials.
The Black Diamond G3 2.7 started shipping this week. You can find all the specs here: http://www.screeninnovations.com/commercial/fixed/black-diamond-venue/ Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Custom Cut Grilles from TK Living The new TK Living laser-cut grilles are designed specifically to conceal speakers and add a unique decorative feature to theater columns and pilasters. They are available in two heights, 6 foot and 5½ foot in order to accommodate various room heights and are finished in a tinted steel patina (silver or bronze).
Check them out here: http://www.tk-living.com/grilles/index.html Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top KEF Announces KEF Blade, a Single Apparent Source Speaker This month KEF announced global availability of KEF Blade, which is the evolution of KEF's Concept Blade, first shown in 2009. It uses KEF's Single Apparent Source Technology, which allows the entire frequency range to radiate from one point in space in order to sound more like that of a live performance. Four 9” (22.5 cm), newly developed bass drivers deliver the KEF Blade’s distortion-free low frequency response. The engineering principle behind their configuration is simple, according to KEF – let the huge forces of each moving cone cancel each other out by arranging them in opposed, symmetrical pairs. The force produced by the bass drivers is so strong that the massive rear magnets have had to be bonded directly to each other to obtain the full benefit of this technology. They are side firing so their acoustic center coincides with those of the all-new, latest generation Uni-Q midrange driver and tweeter – forming the Single Apparent Source technology. KEF Blade is available in a standard Gloss White and Gloss Black, but will also be available in custom colors. MSRP is $29,999. To see all the specs, click here: http://www.kef.com/us/release/bladeloudspeaker/blade Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top HAI Ships Omni-Bus Lighting Control Network Suite Designed for the 220-240v/50Hz international marketplace, the DIN Rail style HAI Omni-Bus Lighting Control Network provides hardwired and wireless solutions. The products are broken down into four segments: core products (required), load control modules, switch interfaces, and accessories. Products are available for control of lighting loads, fans, motors, pumps, and more. 27 new SKUs are available, including two styles of switch interfaces (white and brushed stainless) with wired and wireless options available. HAI switch interfaces may be used to control anything running under a HAI system, including shades, audio, and more. Using HAI's 6-Channel Universal Switch Interface Module, 3rd-party switches can control the Omni-Bus network and anything under the purview of an HAI system. The HAI Omni-Bus lighting system fully integrates with HAI automation controllers, providing control of Omni-Bus devices using standard HAI interfaces and software applications, including Snap-Link Mobile for iPhone and Android. HAI says the Omni-Bus lighting products are easy to install: power modules feed power to Omni-Bus devices on the network. Switches, load control and other DIN rail modules connect to the Omni-Bus network using standard Cat5 wiring. Each hardwired switch connects to the Omni-Bus network using Cat5. Omni-Bus communicates with Omni or Lumina home control systems using the Interface Translator DIN Rail Module (the "gateway of the Omni-Bus system”). Programming is accomplished with a software tool using the USB Programming Interface Unit. You can watch a video on it here: http://www.youtube.com/user/HomeAutomationInc#p/u/1/9WgAyrwK_sQ Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top BenQ Debuts "Living Room" Projector BenQ has finally shipped its W1100 and W1200 living room projectors, designed to give multidwelling unit (MDU) clients their own theater’ish experience with two DLP projectors, both spec’d at 2000-ANSI lumens and 4500:1 contrast ratio, using 10-bit color processing at a 1080p native output. They also include built-in speakers (two of them that only deliver 10-watts per channel) and are designed to be sort of a portable, pull-out-of-the-closet media room AV room solution.
The W1100 and W1200 are available at MSRPs of $1,499 and $1,999, respectively, and more information on them can be found here: http://www.benq.us/products/product_list.cfm?plid=8&pltag=7&ptag=88 Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top NEC Launches Green and ADA-Compliant LED-Based LCDs For those HomeAV’ers out there who also do digital signage installs, NEC has finally officially launched its LED-based LCDs in the form of two models – a 46” (X461S) and a 55” (X551S) edge-lit monitor. Designed for 24/7 operation, both are integrated with Intel's Open Pluggable Specification (OPS), which is the first industry-wide standardization in option slots to simplify digital signage. The OPS option slot allows for easier installation, use and maintenance of digital signage. Using a native 1920×1080 LCD, both monitors offer up a 4000:1 contrast ratio, use less than two watts of power in stand-by mode, can be positioned in landscape or portrait mode, have 10-bit HDMI ports, include closed-captioning decoding and have integrated 5-watt speakers. But one of the most interesting features is the carbon-footprint tracking, which calculates the conservation of green gas emissions. The X461S and X551S will be available in May and June 2011 at a minimum advertised price of $2,399 and $3,799, respectively, and can be found here (click on “NEW” on the left side of the screen): http://www.necdisplay.com/category/large-screen-displays Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top VISIX's Launches PoE Interactive Meeting Room Sign Speaking of digital signage products, Visix has finally added a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) model to its MeetingMinder line of meeting room signs (you know, the ones that sit next to the entrance of a room and can be used as a sign, a meeting schedule calendar or even as a small digital signage display). A new 15-inch model interactive display allows a single Ethernet cable to supply both power and data to the room sign, addressing concerns of both physical concealment and AC proximity for power bricks. Want more details? Go here: http://www.visix.com/meeting_minder.html Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top MSE Audio Acquires Rockustics, Inc. MSE Audio last month announced the acquisition of Rockustics, a manufacturer of rock speaker products. To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top Atlona Joins HDBaseT Alliance Atlona Technologies announced this month that it has joined the HDBaseT Alliance. The HDBaseT Alliance was formed by LG, Samsung, Sony, and Valens Semiconductor to promote and standardize HDBaseT technology for whole-home distribution of uncompressed HD multimedia content. To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe HomeAV Edition out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are — we are 100% opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the high-end HomeAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that’s why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: we run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
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A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I’ve been in the AV-industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don’t think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue – which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe Publications has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.
rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA, launched in February, 2004.
To read more about my background, our team, and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Back to Top Copyright 2011 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 210 Old Barn Ln. – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – 919/969-7501. Email: sara@ravepubs.com
rAVe HomeAV Edition contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. |