Mobile commerce (mCommerce) is gaining traction in the US and Europe. Statistics from AOL-McCann reveal that in the US, mobile usage will grow by 60% in the next two years and that one out of every seven minutes of media consumption take place via mobile devices, writes Margot Douaihy.
The McCann study also shows that 1.5 billion apps were downloaded at the iPhone app store in the first year, and that iPhone app success is inspiring others like Blackberry, Verizon, and Palm to support apps.
So it makes sense that the CEDIA channel would also offer apps to simplify household systems and AV operation. At CEDIA Expo, manufacturers such as Shlage, Control4, Boston Acoustics, and Bowers & Wilkins all debuted apps for control systems or residential AV products that work with the 3G iPhone and smart phone platforms.
Savant Systems showed off its ProtÈgÈ, an iPhone-based home automation product enabling total control of the home. Through the Savant iPhone or iPod touch application, users can control both the embedded features of ProtÈgÈ along with A/V equipment from many premium brands. The app offers control of an integrated iTunes media server (delivering eight simultaneous and independent audio streams to any room), multizone audio distribution (any four audio sources to eight rooms), cable and satellite TV, HVAC, carbon footprint/power consumption management, and more.
Utah-based control and automation manufacturer Control4 demonstrated a new OS (Control4 OS 2.0) and new iPhone- and iPod-friendly products, including an iPod dock (pictured). The ‘My House UI for Control4’ application was developed by Control UI, an authorised Control4 development partner. By downloading the application to an iPhone or iPod, users will have the option to control the Control4 system from their device within the home. Since the handheld interface is the same as on the Control4 suite of touch panels and on-screen interfaces, there is no need to learn a new navigation style.
