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“This is the type of experience that every home systems integrator strives to provide their clients. Some of these integrators, inevitably, sometimes fall a little short. To ensure that homeowners get a true sense of what smart home systems can do, Control4 has launched a showroom certification program of the hundreds of dealers that offer its smart systems worldwide. The objective of the certified showrooms is to provide an ideal destination for consumers, as well as architects, builders, and interior designers, to observe home technology at work in settings that are interactive, engaging, and personalized.”

“Hintze says Control4 recognises that the company is not the first and won’t be the last to take this approach to interesting more people to custom technology, but states that the manufacturer very much views it as its “responsibility” to help share best practices and “make the channel better.” It also believes the accessibility of the programme, with 140 locations to grow in the next quarter and year ahead, is a clear point of difference to others. “I think we’re in a unique in that some manufacturers have experience centres, but they’re only in a handful of locations,” he explains.”

“They sound old-fashioned, but when putting together connected devices, getting a chance to test and try as many products as possible can be appealing. That's the thinking of Control4, which builds smart home solutions across multiple products, and opening 140 new locations.”

“For all the visibility of smart-home technology these days, it’s still tough for consumers and the trade to experience the stuff first-hand, he explains. Control4 wants its dealers to be the destination for such experiences.”

“Transforming an initial wave of 140 showrooms across the world into Control4 Certified Showrooms, the home automation giant is exemplifying why a dealer is critical to the success of a home control equation for both consumers, and the architect, builder, and designer communities.”

"As smart-home platforms like Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home, Apple’s HomeKit, and Samsung’s SmartThings have matured, it’s now entirely possible to set up a robust smart-home system all by yourself. The downside? Doing it yourself can still be a tremendous pain in the ass."

"Not only did it supposedly come with a basketball court decked out in Miami Heat colours (*heart eyes emoji*) it’s also got Control4 tablets in every room for controlling the air con, window blinds, lighting and music."

Control4 has won an unprecedented nine of CE Pro’s 2018 Quest for Quality Award categories. Nominated by home technology professionals, Control4 has broken the record for the highest number of CE Pro Quest for Quality wins awarded to one manufacturer in a single year. Control4 received Platinum for General Communication/Customer Service, RMR Support Programs, and Shipping Policies; and Silver for Technical Support, Sales/Marketing Assistance, Dealer/Integrator Website, Training Programs, Dealer Protection Policies, and Social Media Presence.

"Striking the right balance between functionality and ease of operation can be tricky for hotels. To find that balance, the hotel and technology vendors must understand their client base and design a solution suitable for the typical range of guests. The kind of technology a technology vendor would put into an ultra-modern city hotel with a clientele of predominantly under-30 young professionals, for example, versus a historical rural retreat like Adare Manor, are very different."

"Since the resort’s reopening, the feedback on the technology changes has been positive. “The best feedback you can get is that guests walk in and enjoy their stay. They’re not asking how to shut the curtains or how to operate the TV,” said Fitzgibbon. “We’re delivering a one-stop shop. Control4 manages everything from start to finish versus working with third parties. Audio, video, lighting, networking—we deploy the whole WiFi distribution. It is all Control4.”"

"More than a year ago, Control4 identified a major problem within the industry: a broad deficit of network installation and configuration skills. Control4 found more than 30 percent of dealer support problems were related solely to a network issue—and not to hardware deficiencies. After working with their global Control4 and Pakedge dealer base, the revelation was clear—most dealers got into this industry through AV and control systems, and they were intimidated by the concept of the home network."

"PCNA training is not just for those installers who lack experience. Having a team that operates from the same standardized knowledge base can help efficiency by minimizing discrepancy. This is why Bell decided that each of their technicians—no matter their experience level—needed to become Pakedge Certified Network Administrators."

"Twelve dealers were recognized as Dealer of the Year, an award given to those who are exceptional in their business practices and customer relations, as well as at designing and installing Control4 automation systems, Pakedge networks, and Triad audio. Homemation was named Distributor of the Year."

"In total 28 international dealers and distributors received awards across categories acknowledging overall installation and business excellence, in addition to highlighting outstanding installation projects in specific environments, at its annual reception during ISE 2018 in Amsterdam."

"“The global smart home market potential is significant,” Thomas said. “Control4's easy-to-use products, reliable platform, broad device ecosystem, and knowledgeable pro-installer network give the company a powerful base from which to grow, and I look forward to collaborating with Control4’s directors and management to continue building the business and delivering shareholder value.”"

“Maria brings deep digital operating and leadership experience to the board, and she has a strong track record for driving brand-based experiences that consumers embrace,” commented Martin Plaehn, chairman and chief executive officer of Control4. “We look forward to applying Maria’s vast experience and thinking to help shape our strategies, plans, and priorities as we continue to work to accelerate Control4’s growth.”

"Consumers and industries, such as the hospitality industry, are looking for more than a just collection of independent, smart devices. The new CA-1 and Control4 OS deliver that needed capability and customer experience – orchestrating all of the smart devices in any given environment. Tailored specifically for projects that desire smart lighting, comfort, and/or security, the CA-1 Automation Controller includes Ethernet, WiFi, Zigbee, and serial communication, leveraging the large Control4 database of thousands of third-party devices to ensure easy integration and interoperability."

"Tailored specifically for smart home projects that desire lighting, comfort, and/or security, the CA-1 Automation Controller includes Ethernet, WiFi, Zigbee and Serial communication, leveraging the Control4 database of thousands of 3rd party devices to ensure easy integration and interoperability."

"Designed specifically for smart home projects that desire lighting, comfort and/or security, the CA-1 Automation Controller includes Ethernet, WiFi, Zigbee and serial communication, leveraging the large Control4 database of thousands of third-party devices to ensure integration interoperability. "

"The $350 CA-1 is designed to appeal to homebuilders, building developers, and hoteliers that need a simple but powerful way to integrate control of various smart home devices like lighting, security, and temperature products."

"Among professional home-automation systems, Control4 is already considered “mainstream,” but the new CA-1 controller, introduced this week at ISE 2018, is downright affordable. It takes the best of Control4’s IoT solutions – including integration with lighting, energy management, security, surveillance, Alexa and more – and packs them into a $350 (MSRP) box."

"Whatever unique situation you’re facing, the CA-1 is yet another unique tool in the Control4 dealer’s toolbox. It opens a door to opportunity for those smaller jobs that might have been overkill for Control4 gear in the past, and at $350, it’s a flexible and affordable solution for extending control into those parts of larger homes where entertainment isn’t an issue."

CE Pro, along with sister publications Commercial Integrator, Essential Install, and TechDecisions, worked with a team of judges to rate the top products and services in five residential categories and 15 commercial categories. Control4 earned wins for Business Operations with PCNA, Home Theater / Multi-Room Audio/Video Product with the Triad One Streaming Amplifier, and Control and Automation with Control4 Whole-Home Control with OS 2.10.

"With stocks at a high and careful acquisition proving a roaring success, it's never been a better time to be a Control4 installer."

"LG Electronics’s 2018 LG OLED and LG Super UHD TVs will feature Control4 Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP) technology. The integration enables LG to offer automation-ready televisions for consumers worldwide."

"Control4 announces its receipt of three TechHome Mark of Excellence awards for its newest software release, OS 2.10, the Triad One Streaming Amplifier, and the Pakedge Certified Network Administrator (PCNA) training program. The awards are presented by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) to recognize the best products in custom integration and installed technology across more than 30 categories."

"On this week's episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Control4's Director of Product Marketing, Brad Hintze, to discuss the company's recent acquisition of leading RSM provider, Ihiji. Brad also shares several other updates that will excite home tech pros and end-users alike as we head into what will be a busy 2018!"

"By combining Control4’s BakPak, with its strong network management capabilities, and Ihiji’s Invision, with its device monitoring and management capabilities, Control4 can provide a set of unified cloud-based services to our dealers to securely and efficiently monitor end-customer systems,” commented Martin Plaehn, CEO of Control4."

"The idea is to combine Control4’s existing BakPak solution which provides remote monitoring and Invision from Ihiji into one unified service platform. Control4 says the move will provide thousands of professional integrators with powerful device monitoring and management capability to efficiently and proactively support their connected-home customers."

"Got a smart home? Hope that’s working out for you! One way to make it work a little better is to connect it to Alexa, which supports Nest, Control4, SmartThings, Philips Hue lights, Lutron, Insteon, and pretty much any other hub or platform you can think of."

"Since acquiring Triad, the line has received overwhelming dealer support and record sales – further proving that that audio is an integral part of the smart home."

"In this first video, we show you what the home looked like before we began, complete with aging electronics and control systems. Watch as we begin to gut the house of its old wares, and lay the groundwork for a technological transformation. When we’re done, you’ll see a state-of-the-art connected smart home, run by Control 4 and Alexa voice commands so intuitive anyone can walk in and make the TVs and sound system work. "

"Homeowners have been forced to choose between the autonomy provided by standalone smart devices on the one hand, and the robustness, sophistication, and extensive device support of professional automation systems on the other. Until now, that is."

"Integrator Joe Whitaker of The Thoughtful Home, who will review the training program for CE Pro, calls it one of the highlights of CEDIA 2017, where it was announced to dealers. 'The thought of having a training course that provides the equipment needed for hands-on training at lower-than-dealer cost is amazing,' he tells CE Pro. 'Pair that with the fact that this puts the gear in the hands and homes of the technicians is brilliant. Now certified techs will live with the same gear they deploy.'"

"the all-new PCNA program is designed for newer techs who have, for the most part, had to resort to self-teaching through trial-and-error to learn the ins-and-outs of effective wired and wireless IP network design and setup. With this Pakedge Certified Network Administrator program, techs will get a professionally created but practical, real-world educational program on the fundamentals of system architecture and emerge as true professionals with deep knowledge of best practices for “bullet-proof” reliable network system performance."

“Instead of having to flip 10 light switches before you go to bed, the Control4 system lets you turn them all off with one click – plus lower the blinds, adjust the thermostat and more.”

"This new line-up is designed from the ground up to deliver high-performance, high-resolution audio throughout the home."

"To make top-shelf network performance possible on all projects, Pakedge introduced the new WR-1, the company’s first router with Wi-Fi built in."

"Yes, indeed, the Triad One is a single-zone amp, perfect for easily tacking on an extra zone of audio to your larger distribution systems. It’s so much more than that, though."

"With Control4, users can stream music throughout their home using any Control4 EA Series controller without any additional media players; and now with the new Triad audio line, homeowners can source their own high-resolution music library for that premium listening experience."

“With an expansion to the platform's 4Sight automation service announced today at CEDIA 2017, the smart-home service provider wants to help users take control of their own setups. Control4 blends the best of professional and DIY home automation with a new feature called When/Then, which allows consumers to personalize their own smart-home systems after a professional installer sets it up.”

"It's all about making things more efficient for its network of technicians, and ensuring that customers feel empowered to make the sort of fine adjustments they've long been requesting. 'One of the hesitations they have around professionally installed home automation is giving up control,' Hintze said. 'This puts them back in control.'"

"With multiple digital and analog inputs, a subwoofer output, and an infrared repeater, the Triad One is capable of rallying a turntable, PC, TV, and pretty much any other source under one roof and offering complete control of those components through Control4’s app for smartphones and tablets, no added equipment required"

"Designed with new construction in mind yet also suitable for some existing homes, the Triad Designer Series speaker packs two 3 x 6-inch woofers and a 2.5-inch “Ultra Broad Dispersion” tweeter into a cleverly ported box that disappears behind the wall, with only a tiny 4-inch speaker grill offering any visible evidence that a speaker is anywhere to be found."

"For the first time, Control4 provides homeowners with the direct ability to create smart home actions when a button is pressed, when motion is detected, when a condition occurs, when it’s a specific time, or when a door is opened or closed."

“Control4 is designed to make your home, not just your AV system, easier and more user-friendly. Triad fits into that setup by allowing your music system to be as visible or invisible as you want it to be. When you think of custom install speakers, you usually think of something you’ll put inside a wall or ceiling. Triad goes much further, letting you truly customize your custom install speakers as much as you would like.”

"The audiophile editors in a preview of the new speakers oohed and aahed appropriately, telling me privately that the performance was, in fact, rather extraordinary. On top of the sound quality, Triad’s sound dispersion is broader than most – about 150 degrees – so you won’t need to install a bjillion of them in a single space."

"The Designer Series delivers a trifecta. Homeowners get the sound quality that enhances and supports their love of music; designers and architects deliver the audio performance their clients expect without compromising aesthetics or design; and dealers get completely serviceable speakers without cutting a hole in the finished ceiling."

"I was blown away by the speakers’ incredible dispersion. And I don’t mean incredible for an in-ceiling offering; I mean incredible. And all of this sound cranks out of a single four-inch port, which can be covered by either a round or square flush-mount grill."

"The good news is there are many new products on the market that make taking care of your outdoor space easier by adding connectivity. The Triad Garden Array speakers released this May are installed on the ground like landscape lighting — so sound levels are evenly dispersed throughout your entire yard."

"In my home, I love to use a combination of devices in order to create that right atmosphere. When you're cooking dinner and it gets darker outside, to turn the lights on your hands are full, you're busy doing other things so that's when voice control is really important."

"More than merely a necessary part of the connected home, the home network is the very foundation on which every reliable connected home is built. More so than any other component of the connected home, the network can make all the difference in terms of reliability, scalability, and a pleasurable day-to-day user experience."

"One of the most modular, integration-friendly home automation systems available, Control4 was utilized in 10 of the homes honored as a 2017 Home of the Year. In the business of smartening up homes since 2003, Control 4 has a long history of offering systems that can suit one room or an entire estate."

"Control4 is on the IBD 50 list of top growth stocks and is also a leader in its own industry, and was just named the top home automation provider in the 2017 CE Pro Top 100 Brand Analysis for the third straight year."

"It was designed to be easy for the clients to manage from any location, and easy and intuitive enough for their guests to enjoy without complicated explanations. It's a whole-home automation system that controls everything including the thermostat, TVs, audio system, lighting, door locks, shades, and alarms."

"With Control4 Hospitality Solution and a fully integrated Web Management Console, hotel managers can provide personalized comfort for each guest with easier oversight and energy efficiency. For its optimization of the hotel guest experience, Control4 has earned our Editor’s Retail Choice Award for Hospitality Automation Solutions."

"“Smart home control is such a highly personalized thing,” says Ratka. “What matters to me in home control might not matter to someone else. Offering a solution to fit each buyer’s demands is not easy on a national scale. We are proud we have been able to accomplish that.”"

"Take a look at the features inside the custom Control4 Airstream and find out what makes it such a useful tool for understanding how to design for the smart home."

The CE Pro Top 100 Brand Analysis determined that Control4 is once again the brand leader for the whole-house automation and control category with 61% of respondents. Pakedge, the Control4 Networking product-line, was named the brand leader for home networking with 46% of respondents, a category in which CE Pro coins “arguably the most important category in home electronics these days.”

"The new Control4 system allows home owners to control all of their favourite devices from their backyard with the same ease as they have with their lounge room entertainment system."

"After purchasing Triad Speakers just two months ago, Control4 is ready to release their first line of products – a family of outdoor speakers and subwoofer"

"A space once home to rows of dilapidated homes on the coast of Estoril in Portugal has been transformed into a fully automated sanctuary thanks to inventive integration work recognised as the “Most Innovative Use of Control4” in 2016."

"Control4, the company behind the award-winning home automation platform favored by many electronics integrators, has taken the smart home on the road. A new "Smart Design, Smart Living" Airstream RV trailer outfitted with room vignettes designed to show off C4's technology is in the midst of a 12-week, multi-city tour to teach interior designers, architects, and consumers what home automation really is and what it can do."

"The US Department of Veterans Affairs has long embraced technology to aid veterans. In 2014, 6.6 million people took advantage of VA health care services, and everything from custom wheelchairs to more common gadgets like an Amazon Echo and smart lights have been used to help vets live more independent lives."

"Home technology systems baffle and frustrate many homeowners. But it doesn’t have to be that way, says Brad Hintze, senior director of product marketing at Control4, a technology company that develops smart home automation to control lighting, entertainment, security, energy, and other connected devices. “We wanted to find a way for homeowners to benefit rather than to be engaged in a fight with technology as they try to get it all to work together,” says Hintze."

"Building a dedicated home theater offers technology enthusiasts a chance to flex their high-tech muscles, and the homeowner of this 12,000-square-foot house took full advantage of the opportunity. “If there are special events, like you want to watch like the Super Bowl, movies that are still only in the theaters, or the premiere of Game of Thrones, it would be nice to have a venue, where you can have a dozen or so friends over and watch something together,” says the homeowner."

"Installing a security system is one of the best methods to protect your home and family. In fact, homes without security systems are 300% more likely to be broken in to than those with an alarm system."

"Bryce Judd, Control4's SVP of Worldwide Sales, is excited to offer Triad's premium line of audio options to both dealers and their customers."

"One of only two home automation systems to make our 2016 Top Picks of the Year list, Control4’s EA-1 bundle sets a new standard for affordability and opportunity when it comes to professionally installed AV control and home automation."

"TheRiverSouth homes incorporate smart home and high performance home technology and building techniques. The smart home systems include lighting control, music, home theater, climate control and security. A smart home creates personalized experiences that enhance your life and provide added comfort, savings, convenience, and peace of mind, Brickman said."

“Entertainment is integral to the connected home and our Control4 dealers are designing end-to-end experiences for family room entertainment, home theaters, and indoor and outdoor multi-room music for their customers,” says Martin Plaehn, Control4 Chairman and CEO. “The acquisition of Triad brings proven premium-acoustics experience and innovation to our company, enabling us to immediately deepen our entertainment offering and develop new integrated-audio experiences for the future.”

"Triad manufactures a range of built-to-order premium audio speakers for home theaters, family rooms, whole-home or multi-room audio, as well as for outdoor environments. This acquisition is a strategic addition to the Control4 entertainment portfolio, which includes the fully programmable Control4 EA-series controllers with native high-resolution streaming music services, its family of multi-room audio matrix switches and amplifiers, and its family of ultra-HD 4K video matrix switches with audio down-mixing capabilities."

"Talk to Control4 Chairman and CEO Martin Plaehn for just a few minutes about the purchase, though, and it starts to seem a lot less weird. 'The homeowner looks to Control4 for the entire experience,' he told me last night in a phone call, ahead of today's announcement. 'They don't differentiate between their automation solution and their entertainment'."

"The acquisition of Triad is a strategic addition to the Control4 entertainment portfolio, which includes the fully programmable Control4 EA-series controllers with native high-resolution streaming music services, its family of multi-room audio matrix switches and amplifiers, and its family of ultra-HD 4K video matrix switches with audio down-mixing capabilities."

“'At Triad, high-quality audio, custom design, and seamless integration have been the standards that we will continue delivering to our dealers and their end customers,' said Larry Pexton, founder, and CEO of Triad. 'Becoming part of the Control4 family enables us to expose our engineering expertise to those homeowners in the broader market of home automation and entertainment who are passionate about their listening experience.'"

"The results were reported after the closing bell on Thursday, Feb. 9. The next day, shares of CTRL jumped 20% to $13.93. Monday they were up another 13% to $15.74. You’d think Control4 would throw a party or something. Oh wait, they did! As earnings were being announced in the U.S., Control4 was throwing a party in Amsterdam for more than 400 dealers during ISE 2017, the big trade show for home- and building-technology integrators."

"Control4 receivers are designed to control everything under your roof -- TVs and streaming devices, gaming consoles and Blu-ray players, lights and thermostats, you name it. With Control4, you can automate all of it using preprogrammed "scenes" that trigger multiple devices all at once. Add in Control4's Alexa skill, and you'll be able to trigger those scenes using a quick voice command on your Amazon Echo or Echo Dot smart speaker. For instance, saying "Alexa, turn off the flat" could turn off all of the lights and media devices, lower the thermostat, and lock the doors."

"Residential Systems invited executives from a wide cross-section of the industry to tell us where we’re headed–not in February 2017, but in February 2022–five full years down the road." See what Control4 Chairman and CEO, Martin Plaehn, has to say about where the industry is heading.

"BakPak manages both the IP network and connected smart devices delivering real-time visibility of network health in one interface allowing diagnostics and troubleshooting, before problems happen allowing installers to increase their support effectiveness and to cut costs by keeping physical visits to a minimum."

"To help its dealers bring intelligent home networks to more customers, Control4 has made BakPak management software available on Pakedge RK-1 Routers. BakPak proactively manages both the IP network and smart home devices, for real-time visibility of network health, diagnostics, and troubleshooting before problems happen to mitigate downtime, service calls, and unhappy customers."

"With the Control4 solution, BakPak is just there. It’s in the router. And Control4 just stopped charging dealers a monthly fee for BakPak service, so they can structure their own RMR (recurring monthly revenue) programs as they see fit."

Expanding our lighting solutions multiplies the opportunity for Control4 dealers to offer custom lighting control in both new construction and retrofit projects in either residential or light commercial buildings around the globe.”

"The Control4 Smart-Home Skill allows homeowners to use voice commands to generate whole-home automation through activating smart home scenes or controlling individual devices. A single voice command can initiate an automated sequence of functions, with support for nearly 10,000 popular lighting, audio, video, security, and comfort products."

"The home is completely wired with Control4, an automated system that allows users to adjust the lights, temperature, blinds, security cameras — you name it — all from your smartphone. It's a convenience factor. When you're out of town, you can even program it to change your lights."

“You don’t realize how important it is to be able to press a button and just open up the blinds. It buys an extra five minutes. So basically, you’re buying time with a smart home."

“Control4 is basically a smart home hub that connects thousands of devices to a central, intelligent brain. And you can control it with the app, or a remote. And it’s now got Alexa integration so you can actually control Control4 with your voice, which then spreads to thousands of other devices.”

"Control4 works hard to be at the forefront of all trends, which is why, when Amazon quietly began opening up the Alexa platform to developers, Control4 engineers began experimenting with it."

"With a custom-installed Control4 smart-home system, for example, you can use Alexa to control any device connected to it, including security panels, door locks, garage-door openers, and home entertainment systems. Control4 also lets Alexa activate "scenes," or a preprogrammed group of activities. Alexa, for example, will simultaneously turn off lights, lock doors and arm the security system when you're ready for bed."

Lodging Magazine has named Control4 one of the top ten innovators in technology, stating that "Control4 is used to automatically change the atmosphere of a hotel guest room."

"Every install whether big or small needs to have one common denominator: a quality robust IT network. And that means a whole lot more than just picking right router."

"Control4 has been a life-changer for me, as clichéd as that may sound. My home is so much more livable and enjoyable. My rooms have a cleaner look with all the gear hidden out of sight. The ability to control my music from any remote or touch screen from anywhere, even the dock behind my house, is a joy."

"Control4 and Pakedge have proved to me that they have covered every base in my network, in my monitoring, and in my full system management."

“And Control4 prominently featured Bakpak 4.0, which offers some nice upgrades to the platform originally developed by Pakedge before they were acquired by the company.”

First Look video of Control4 and Alexa--whole-home voice control!

“Even before the show began we started to see the channel working together with the announcement that they were working with Crestron, Lutron, Control4, and more. That trend continued when Control4, Crestron, and others announced their Amazon Echo integration.”

“All that’s really needed is to have the Control4 Smart Home Skill enabled inside of the Alexa app and it will do the rest – connect with the Control4 whole-home automation system and detect the scenes and devices. The new Alexa skill comes bundled with the Control4 4Sight subscription for $99 per year.”

“Crestron. Lutron. Control4. Savant. These high-end home automation service providers may not sound familiar, but they're the names that typically dominate the headlines coming out of the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association's yearly tech expo for luxury AV gear and the dealers who provide it. This year, Amazon joined their ranks.”

“Control4 is said to be the first home automation companies to combine smart home scenes with the convenience of the Alexa far-field voice recognition, synching connected devices all through the home, supporting nearly 10,000 types of popular lighting, audio, video, security, and comfort products.”

CEDIA 2016: LTS Talks About IP Cameras Now Capable with Control4

“The Amazon Echo only launched in the UK and Germany yesterday, but over on the other side of the pond smart home systems have openly embraced the Echo and its smart voice assistant Alexa. The latest adding support? Control4 – which has just announced that Alexa control is now available to its customers, as long as they sign up to a $99 annual subscription fee.”

“’Control4 is one of the most respected and adopted whole home control solutions in the market – we are thrilled to welcome them to the Alliance,’ said Mitchell Klein, Executive Director of the Z-Wave Alliance.”

“…Control4, which develops home automation equipment, has linked up its systems with Amazon.com's voice-controlled home technology, through a new "Skill" for Amazon's Alexa platform, the company said today, in a move which appears to be shaping a strategy for the firm to adapt to Amazon's entry into the home automation market.”

“If you happen to use both Control4 and Alexa, just open the Alexa app on Android and enable the Control4 Smart Home Skill to get started.”

“Control4 CEDIA announcements include new integration partnerships, the release of Control4 OS 2.9 packed with new consumer enhancements and dealer tools, and the introduction of Bakpak® 4.0 - the cloud-based network and automation management solution. Control4 also unveiled their Amazon Alexa Smart Home Skill for voice-enabled whole-home automation, delivering hands-free control of a Control4 system.”

The smart home technology provider Control4 is a prime example of the turn in terms of how smart innovations are applied by announcing that it is adopting “Alexa” for the services it offers. Users could lock doors, turn off the lights, and even manage the home’s temperature with voice command.

“First, very cool that another control company is talking with Amazon Echo. It will be interesting to watch this relationship develop. Control4’s CEO made great pains to emphasize they have no plan to get out of the dealer channel. “Double down” was used more than once during the hour long presentation.”

“Control4 EA series customers will now have an enhanced blinds and shades experience with Control4 OS 2.9, bringing enhanced personalization for homeowners and expanded integration tools for dealers. OS 2.9 includes a more intuitive interface to make it easy to control and automate window coverings throughout the home. Key to the new experience is support for integrating Lutron shades.”

Control4 integrates Amazon's popular virtual assistant Alexa for using voice controls in high-end, custom-installed connected home setups.

“…It’s the combination of having networking and home automation working together to provide a smart home experience and you’re starting to see the fruits of that labor.”

CEDIA 2016: Control4 Demos OS 2.9 Software Update With Improved Blind and Shade Control

CEDIA 2016: Control4 Now Has Integration With Amazon Alexa

CEDIA 2016: Control4 Shows 4K Video Switching With Audio Downmixing

Home automation leader Control4 (CTRL) is releasing OS 2.9 at CEDIA 2016, featuring voice control through Amazon Alexa, support for Z-Wave, deep integration with motorized shades. Plus, more personalization for the customer.

“If you’re wondering why this is big news, the answer lies in a single sentence: “Alexa, turn off the house.” This one phrase can turn off the lights, lock the doors, turn down the thermostat, and even arm the security system, letting homeowners walk out the door without wondering whether the proverbial stove is on.”

Thanks to a new Alexa skill from Control4, you can trigger scenes in high-end, custom-installed connected home setups by talking to Amazon's popular virtual assistant.

“In a classic, “And just one more thing…” moment to begin the finale of its press conference today, Control4 announced that they have launched Amazon Alexa skill for voice-enabled whole-home automation control.”

New BakPak 4.0 service from Control4’s Pakedge networking business is now free. Monitor, diagnose and manage remotely all the networking and IoT devices in the home, including Z-Wave and ZigBee products.

Control4 personalizes a smart home by coordinating connected devices throughout the house into pre-set scenes to set the mood, create ambiance, and provide convenience.

Control4 is heavily invested in helping dealers deliver customized smart home experiences for its customers, and one of the ways they do this is by Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP) that identifies a product and loads the correct driver.

Control4 is… Cohesive. Elegant. User Friendly. Lower Cost. Integrative Technology.

“About any voice command you can think of can activate virtually anything in C4. In my house (true story) "Alexa, play movie" turns off lights, drops shades, turns on projector, turns on Kaleidscape. So SWEET! Amount of beers set down to make that happen? None! NONE BEERS SET DOWN!”

“Control4 is heavily invested in helping dealers deliver customized smart home experiences for its customers, and one of the ways they do this is by Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP) that identifies a product and loads the correct driver.”

“Control4 personalizes a smart home by coordinating connected devices throughout the house into pre-set scenes to set the mood, create ambiance, and provide convenience.”

"Control4 set a new standard in home automation products by including high-resolutional audio and built-in Ethernet switches in its new EA line of controllers, starting at $600."

"SAVI Controls leverages the many strengths of Control4 by delivering untapped market potential for Control4 dealers and providing a comprehensive commercial control solution all with minimal specialized training."

"The new facilities, along with the extra capacity added to existing Control4 training centers in the United States and Shanghai, China earlier this year, will serve to meet the growing demand by Control4 dealers to train more technicians to become Control4-certified integrators."

"Once you turn the knob, the lights and television come on automatically and the curtains open to showcase the view you'll be enjoying for the duration of your stay. What's more, the technology is able to memorize guests' personal preferences and restore them when they return to their room."

"From doors to drapes, Control4 provides a complete automation solution for the hospitality industry. By uniting systems that were once disparate, Control4 delivers operational efficiencies for hotels and a personalized, five-star stay for their guests."

"Control4 is already a big name in the residential space, but the Control4 Hospitality Solution is the company’s biggest push into the commercial sector yet. With it hotels will have complete control over their guest rooms from a central command system."

"The Smart Skills library launches today, with more than 15 videos in a variety of categories including lighting, entertainment, comfort & convenience, safety & security, and networking."

"Now Arnold is retiring, handing over the reins to Bryce Judd, who joins Control4 from with more than 20 years of technical sales and operations experience, primarily in mobile services and enterprise software."

“An automation platform that has traditionally done well in the hotel sector is Control4. The platform argues that as the concept of automation spreads, more and more resorts are realizing the efficiencies and business advantages offering systems can deliver, so rather than seeing automation as a luxury, increasingly it can be sold as part of the hotel’s normal infrastructure and one that offers immediate business advantages.” (Page 42)

"Showing that 2015 was no fluke, Control4 not only maintains hold as the most frequently used brand in the Control and Automation category, it increases its lead over perennial stalwart Crestron. Savant retains third place, while RTI moves from sixth to fourth."

"I have a new-found appreciation for the brand and what it is capable of. I have recommended Control4 to a few other dealers I know who are looking for an easy-to-implement control brand that doesn’t require extensive coding."

"Control4 is a very powerful system that allows anyone to build agents and do complex programming. The system is physically built, then each component is added on the system design screen. Once designed, you then go to the connections window where you can link all the products."

"Control4 is present from the moment you step up to the front door station, which can transmit an image of a guest at the entryway on all the Control4 touch screens in the house, complete with intercom communication."

"Dubbed the Smart Home Essentials Tour, this year the company's message focuses on selling, installing and supporting networking, lighting and entertainment."

"For just about $600 plus approximately a $200 installation fee you can have an immediate start to your smart home with Control4. They focus on a full-scale solution allowing you, the customer, to completely customize the smart home experience to your liking."

"Control4 is the Rolls Royce of home automation systems…The system works with just about everything – he integrated my system with Sonos, and switches that say “Music”, have “Next” buttons, and up and down volume buttons. When I press them it plays the current song in my Sonos queue through my Sonos speaker or controller. With just the tap of a wall button it stops the song putting the home back in silence."

"There’s a big population of music lovers who really appreciate good-sounding audio,” says Paul Williams, VP Solutions for Control4. “Why not sell them a high-performance media player that, by the way, has home automation built in?”

"We want to keep smart-home-as-a-service providers like Vivint and Control4 in mind. For years, they've been offering whole-home automation solutions that include high-end takes on smart audio and video. Services like those typically don't come cheap, but they do paint a pretty compelling picture of what smart entertainment nirvana can look like."

"The past few weeks I’ve been watching far more movies in there than usual. That’s because I had a Control4 EA-5 system installed in there. Now despite the complexity, even my 4-year-old can operate it."

"Control televisions, sound, security cameras, lighting, thermostats, alarm systems, door locks, or raise and lower blinds. 'We can even control the temperature in your shower,' said Bushnell. Residences and businesses can have complete automation and everyone living or working in the space gets his or her own code to keep records of comings and goings. The Control4 works in all homes, no matter the age, and automation is controlled with mounted detachable touchscreens or with an iPad."

..."There’s no doubt about it: Control4’s EA lineup is the future."

“Control4’s purchase of Pakedge shows not only an understanding of the market, but also a commitment to this space and the same appreciation of the importance of providing dealers and end users a more complete solution and experience.”

"The new Square Wireless Lighting products when combined with the recently launched Entertainment & Automation Series controllers, make it easy for homes of any size to experience the benefits and convenience of automated lighting, whether in a single room or throughout the whole home..."

"Smart home solutions provider Control4 made a bit of a splash at ISE 2016 on Tuesday. The company announced that it will begin delivery of its new line of intelligent Square Wireless Lighting products, which will expand the custom and retrofit lighting opportunities for Control4 in the European and Asian markets."

"In what may be the smartest acquisition ever in the home-technology channel, leading smart-home manufacturer Control4 (Nasdaq: CTRL) has acquired Pakedge, the No. 1 brand of networking gear among CE Pro 100 home-technology integrators." -Julie Jacobson, CE Pro

"...Seamless, scalable, reliable, and secure networks are not just desired, they are required. Pakedge provides Control4 with this important foundation for use in any connected home or business..."

"The acquisition will let Control4 dealers bolster their networking capabilities..."

“Called the Control4 EA Series (that's "EA" for "entertainment and automation"), the new line of connected home controllers will range from $600 for a single-room setup to $2,000 for a unit powerful enough to smarten up a large home.”

“Today’s big announcement of three new EA Series home controllers stays the course, from the entry level ($600 MSRP) and up ($2,000). Speed and reliability is the mantra, says CEO Martin Plaehn, who wants the company to be known as an infrastructure provider rather than a device manufacturer.”

“Despite looking similar (and being pretty much the same size), the new EA-5 boasts twice the processing power of the old HC-800. And there's good reason for that. As Williams explains, over the past three years, the number of devices per home integrated by Control4 has pretty much tripled.”

“Unlike other current single-room home-entertainment controllers, the $600 EA-1 controls home systems such as lighting not just in the home-entertainment room but also in other rooms, the company said. It also delivers true home automation, not just control, because it delivers event-based automation in which actions can be triggered automatically by such events as an exterior door opening, said solutions VP Paul Williams.”

“When used with compatible smart devices (and there are a freighter load of them), the EA-1 can dim the lights in your living/theater room, close the curtains, lock the front and back doors of your house, adjust the thermostat, plus a number of other things, like providing access to video from security or baby-room cameras.”

“Today’s big announcement of three new EA Series home controllers stays the course, from the entry level ($600 MSRP) and up ($2,000). Speed and reliability is the mantra, says CEO Martin Plaehn, who wants the company to be known as an infrastructure provider rather than a device manufacturer.”

"Because at this year’s CES, Control4 stepped up to demonstrate a proof-of-concept implementation of SmartDeviceLink that effectively turns the head unit of your car into a controller for your home." -Dennis Burger, HD Living

"Control4 used a doll-house-size home display song in conjunction with an Android phone and a Toyota vehicle display head unit to demonstrate a proof-of-concept smart home app that will enable single-button, one-touch control of a smart home from the driver’s seat without requiring the driver to take his or her eyes off the road (or driveway) ahead." -Darryl Wilkinson, Sound & Vision

"The Control4 proof-of-concept smart home app for the connected car demonstrates one-touch smart home integration using an Android phone and a Toyota vehicle head display unit." -Robert Archer, CE Pro

One of the best things about Control4 are the “scenes.” Say you want to watch a movie: Click the “movie” icon on your Control4 remote and your lights will turn off, the blinds will come down and the TV will pull up Netflix. Or click “dinner party” to dim the lights to 25 percent, turn on the Barry Manilow Pandora station on your Sonos and light the gas fireplace.

In a leafy Toronto neighborhood, a Cor-Ten–clad family home is wired for the future...With Control4 automation, everything from music to lighting can be managed with the tap of a touchscreen.

Control4 (Nasdaq: CTRL) is now the top home automation provider for CE Pro 100 dealers – the nation’s largest designers and installers of smart-home systems, including audio, video, lighting controls, whole-house controls, security systems, motorized shades and other electronic devices.

"The Control4 HC-250 with OS 2.6 is a compact, home controller featuring IP, IR, serial and relay control capabilities, along with an updated software platform that delivers integrated access to streaming music services and pool/spa controls..."

“Let’s say you return home at 8:00 at night,” says Henry Clark, Senior Design Consultant at BrightSky Home Technology, a Sarasota-based provider of home entertainment and control systems. “You open the front door, and the system already knows from that little security contact. The air conditioning comes back down to 72. The shades may raise a little bit. The lights come on in the hallway and the kitchen. It’s part of automation.”

“…there’s going to be families in the future and homeowners in the future. And that’s a very big opportunity for us to just keep focused on and be the best at delivering solutions to homeowners and their families—to make their entertainment systems easier, their lighting and comfort systems intelligent and more comfortable, and make their houses safer and more secure." - Martin Plaehn, Control4 CEO.

“The sound system is controlled through the couple’s iPads, iPhones and the computer, but a separate system, Control4, manages the media content: two Sky boxes (so they can watch different things at the same time) and a big media server with the couple’s music and film collection.”

“The ability to tie pool, outdoor audio, deck lighting, and entertainment system together with the simple touch of a button is a really compelling and cool outdoor experience.”

“Think about a watch that could choose a playlist based on your heart rate,” Sonnen continued, “or have a screen where you could see who is at your front door when the doorbell is rung, or just serve as the voice-activation side of your system remote. We think that in terms of integration and if these devices eventually have the voice recognition and the wireless communication speed to be as responsive as, say, your handheld Control4 system remote, then they could become truly useful for home automation..."

Paul Williams demonstrates the new Control4 Thermostat and OS 2.7 with the new Comfort Experience. [VIDEO]

Paul Williams demonstrates the new T3 Series of Touch Screens at ISE 2015. [VIDEO]

DeNyse also uses an iPad and software from Control4 Corp. of Salt Lake City as a master control for his home’s electronic systems ... “It’s all very cool to be able to access the house systems from our iPhones wherever we are,” DeNyse said. Besides, said DeNyse, “I’m a geek. To me, it’s a hobby.”

“This year has been all about software, for us- getting our software and user experiences and personalization interaction really fluid, getting out architecture underneath- since we operate with lots and lots of different devices – getting that more modern.”

“Manicured, mature landscaping frames the residence, while snazzy tech by Control4 keeps the house smart.”

"Control4 has continued the expansion of its global sales team with the appointment of two regional sales managers and a new Asian Pacific managing director."

"Control4 solutions are designed to scale and deliver exceptional home automation experiences for installations of any size," said Martin Plaehn, Control4 Chairman and CEO.

"Sony is the first full line of automation-ready HD and 4K Ultra HD TVs to ship with Control4 SDDP, extending device interoperability in the smart and connected home."

"Mobile app streamlines large whole-home and single-room Control4 installations, and creates a new and more efficient entry-labor model for Control4 Dealers."

"Control4 also launched at CEDIA Expo this year its new OS 2.6 software update, which includes advanced pool and spa controls (including animated icons that give instant, at-a-glance feedback about the state of your pool or spa system), enhanced security integration, and a new music interface that greatly enriches the listening experience by fully integrating the music services available on attached devices (like the aforementioned Sonos system) as if they were native Control4 apps."

"Control4, one of the big home automation companies, was showing off one of Sony's new "home automation friendly" TVs with Control 4's Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP), which makes integration easier."

"Control4 is already the company for affordable home automation, but a new mobile programming platform called Composer Express makes it even cheaper and easier to sell."

"One significant reason why configuration time is reduced is due to the fact that Composer Express is capable of auto-integrating SDDP-enabled (Simple Device Discovery Protocol) devices into the system 'with a single touch'."

“But the most stunning announcement is that Sony is incorporating Control4’s device discovery protocol, called SDDP, into all of its premium sets, starting today.”

“We are extremely pleased to formally add the expertise and talent of the Extra Vegetables team to Control4,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president, products for Control4.

“We have made it our goal, in each product category we’re in, to make sure we’re providing the top devices and rock-solid device drivers for our dealers, so they can be confident when they’re installing products they’re just going to work.”

"The gold standard of home automation, you name it and the Control4 system does it. Your smartphone or tablet can be used as the command center for the entire home, conveniently integrating lighting, music, home theater, climate and security. Program the perfect "wake-up" setting with your favorite music, followed by a gentle opening of the shades and a brightening of the lights or impress your friends and get the hot tub bubbling with a touch of your smartphone."

"The popular Control4 smart home application provides secure access and control of connected homes via the new Fire phone."

“What if I told you that you could control literally every connected electronic device in your home with it? Not just your music, but lights and thermostats and security and even your home theater system? It’s all true, thanks to the Control4 app for the Fire Phone.”

“I first met with Carley Knobloch, an HGTV Home Technology Expert to learn about how a smart home makes things easier and more efficient in a downtown LA apartment powered by Control4. Basically, everything was controlled from one interface--imagine full control over the shades, lights, TVs, and security systems from your iPad or phone!”

"The whole essence of a smart home is to make things easier and more efficient…this is the Control4 system that runs the entire house, and what's so cool is that it takes all of this computing power and puts it into that very easy to use interface."

"The house represents the latest in construction technology and in smart home technology the marriage between the two technologies" said Paul Williams, VP of Security and Communications at Control4.

“Control4 helped change the face of home automation over the past decade, helping to bring a modern software-centric approach to the custom installer channel.”

“The analytics and heuristics you can get from smart devices can help real estate agents understand more about the value of that home and the areas that are being utilized by the existing homeowners…”

“Imagine all your lights, thermostat, TV and music, and maybe some appliances connected to each other AND controlled from home or even while you're away…”

“…one of the most robust and easy-to-use intelligent home systems that we reviewed, despite its requirement for professional installation and difficulty in expansion and personalization. Control4 works with Z-Wave and ZigBee home control technologies and is well equipped for use with the KNX protocol. This system is a great choice if you're planning to remodel your home and wish to add a powerful home automation system in the process.”

“Control4 home automation solutions and platform enables homeowners to connect a broad variety of devices and systems throughout their home and control everything from a single app via a smartphone, tablet or in-wall touch screen.”

"The strategic partnership that Control4 and LILIN share allows us to work closely together to bring together best-in-class home automation technology with best-in-class camera solutions that enhance the customer’s smart home experience and truly deliver on the promise that other manufacturers are telling the story of, yet unable to fully deliver."

“The concept is for us to be able to take all of those elements and bring them together and control them from what we call a single interface…”

“Unlike your average universal remote control that's just supposed to work behind the scenes to control your equipment, a Control4 system provides an experience, uniting the control of your AV components, lighting, temperature, and other options in one clean, simple interface.”

“The Wireless Music Bridge is a great addition to a Control4 system, providing an easy, flexible way to integrate a variety of portable devices and expand the number of music-streaming options you can enjoy through the system.”

“The important thing is to reiterate what it means to have a truly connected home. Often consumers think that home automation is having an app that turns one light off, a different app to set your thermostat and another to arm your security system – when in fact home automation is hitting just one button that can do all of that for you.”

“Consumers increasingly rely on surveillance cameras and NVRs to bolster the security of their homes and businesses. Integrating these security solutions into a Control4 automation system helps consumers better protect their homes and businesses by providing remote viewing of the property from any location at any time via smart connected devices, such as smartphones and tablets and the Control4 4Sight service.”

“And who monitors all of that?” “I do,” I said, whipping out my iPhone, “via a secure 3G connection with bank-level security encryption. Heck, I would know if you were trying to break in before you got in the door because the system would send me a text the instant you started tampering with my Yale locks,” I said, intentionally using second-person pronoun to clue this joker into the fact that I knew he was up to no good.”

“In the spirit of the 2014 Winter Games, Control4 has awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze monikers to three high-tech ski homes that exemplify dedication to slope-side living.”

“…we can all dream of a cozier escape than our current digs. A place in which design and technology commingle to create the perfect atmosphere for watching the snow fall whilst sipping hot toddies. Control4 may have felt something similar when it picked its top three most idyllic winter home escapes–all featuring the company’s intuitive home automation systems–that accomplish just that.”

“Today's 'always-connected' consumers expect the same level of convenience and personalized control of their homes as they do of their smartphones and apps. We are thrilled to partner with Toll Brothers, a leading luxury home builder, to deliver exceptional, personalized automation experiences to new homeowners. Our jointly-defined offerings will provide new home buyers tailored choices to best integrate Control4 automation into their new home and personal lifestyle," said Martin Plaehn, Control4 chairman and CEO.”

“Under the agreement, buyers will be able to choose from several pre-configured automation packages offering intelligent lighting, smart thermostats, smart locks, multi-room audio/video solutions, and smartphone/tablet control integration. New homeowners will also have access to additional automation capabilities and products via a network of independent automation specialists trained and certified by Control4.”

“With the vast number of surveillance cameras and two brands of NVRs now supported by our SDDP technology, which automatically identifies and loads drivers for supported IP-connected devices, we expect security automation in Control4 projects to grow even more. Our dealers will be able to integrate a broader range of security monitoring options into homes, multi-dwelling units and commercial projects.”

“The connected home, the connected consumer, is an expanding opportunity for all of us. Every device with a battery or power cord is going to be network aware, and our job at Control4 is to orchestrate connected device so they work together to improve homes and families’ lives.”

“Even with professional installation, there’s no denying systems must be much simpler to integrate and configure if the pros are to compete with mass-market offerings. Cotnrol4 is on a mission to do just that with an initiative launched in 2012 called Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP).”

“That will allow homeowners to do things like link their Nest thermostats to Control4’s automation options, such as temperature settings that take daily schedules and comfort-vs.-energy efficiency options into account -- things that Nest already does, and that Control4 also does with a number of wireless thermostats available today.”

“The biggest news from the show is that Control4 has added three big manufacturers – HARMAN, Epson, and TiVo – to the list of companies whose devices support the Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP).”

"...There will be a bit of time before the incandescent light bulbs completely go the way of the dinosaur, “but people need to plan, and you need a flexible product, like the Adaptive Phase Dimmer…”

“Part of the newly enhanced 4Sight™ service, Anywhere Access allows a secure connection to the Control4 system via a mobile devices from virtually anywhere in the world via a 3G/4G or Internet connection.”

“One of the great things that our solution offers is a whole degree of personalization, and what we are able to do is really make the home interact with the consumer the way the consumer wants it to interact.”

"Everything from entertainment to lighting to temperature to security can be connected, and, best yet, monitored remotely. Control4′s integration with HouseLogix VoicePod allows them to speak commands like “turn on the lights” or “turn up the thermostat” and the house will respond accordingly."

“A Control4 home automation system lets you monitor and remotely manage your home’s lighting, climate control and security from the company’s MyHome app on your smartphone or tablet from nearly anywhere in the world. When you are home, enjoy the benefits of an automated system that can control your home theater, music and intercom.”

“Like what you've read about above, but don't want multiple automation services in your home? That's where an all-in-one home automation package can be the solution. Control 4 covers an array of home tasks, including automating and monitoring lighting, temperature, and security.”

“In 2003, founders Will West and Eric Smith (with Mark Morgan) attempted one of the most substantial home-control launches of the generation – coming out of the gate with a full suite of products from smart thermostats to lighting controls to amps and whole-house audio/video.”

"Homebuyers today enjoy smartphone apps that control virtually everything, including web cams, lighting, thermostats—even appliances. So why wouldn’t you offer smartphone or tablet control in a home? iPad or tablet control is also a great way to get prospective homebuyers jazzed about technology options—and your homes—by showing them hands-on what systems like home control, lighting control and climate control can do."

“Another new product that seeks to simplify the entertainment experience is the Wireless Music Bridge from Control4. It allows a homeowner to stream music right from her mobile device to any room in the home, and unlike the Sonos system, it connects to Airplay on iOS devices or Bluetooth on Android devices.”

“Thanks to a nifty little program called Control4 Composer Home Edition, you can enjoy all the benefits of a professionally installed, personalized control system, but still make tweaks and changes yourself – from setting up and modifying your favorite channels to managing your music collection to managing text message alerts to creating your own advanced automated events – all with a few clicks of the mouse.”

“We all know that home break-ins and burglaries are all too common. We strive to leverage home automation in more creative ways than a simple home security monitoring system to provide homeowners with even greater knowledge and control,” says Paul Williams, Control4 VP of Security & Communications Products.

“In any 'haunted house' you always suspect that someone is hiding in a back room pushing buttons. In this case, that’s true. Those buttons, touchpanels and iOS apps are all integrated with a Control4 system...”

“Various components of the Control4 home automation system are showcased throughout the Innovation House, including the automated media room, music room, living room and kitchen.”

“The Control4 Wireless Lighting family includes ambient light sensors to automatically adjust the brightness of status LEDs and button backlighting.”

“Lighting control has been a key element of our business model since the very beginnings of Control4, and it represents significant revenue potential in the custom integration channel. This launch provides Control4 dealers with a comprehensive lighting control product line that is second to none.”

“I’ve written a lot about how easily expandable and scalable Control4 is, allowing you to start small with a one-room system and expand as your needs and desires grow. This was my first chance to put that to a real test in a real home, though. And I was outright shocked by how easy it was.”

“Sub-Zero and Wolf, recently announced a Smart Appliance App and Smart Appliance Module that is available through Control4, a leader in affordable IP-based home control systems. The free app lets you engage in a number of services to make your kitchen like easier. Having people over for dinner? The “party” mode ramps up ice production and also lowers a home’s temperature before guests arrive. You can also raise and lower shades, adjust climate control, and monitor security cameras from a phone.”

"I [Geoffrey Morrison] got a demo of the Nest, as controlled by a Control4 system. The result is seamless. Inputs on the Learning Thermostat get sent to the Nest cloud. The Control4 system accesses the cloud and updates its interface (and vice versa). So changing the temperature on one gets updated on the other, while still interacting with Nest’s servers so you can still get personalized monthly energy reports."

"Dish Network announced today its Hopper DVR system will be integrated with media distribution services from the home automation gurus at Control4, opening a virtual Pandora’s box of opportunities for home entertainment control for the Hopper."

"DISH and Control4 have teamed up to integrate the Hopper HD DRV into the Control4 home automation system, spreading control of the digital video recorder across any in-wall touchscreen, remote, tablet, or smartphone used in the home. Building on DISH’s API, which the company launched back in July, the integration means that those living in a Control4-enabled smart home will be able to manage setting and playing back their recordings from third-party devices, as well as have EPG information fed into the system and displayed on other screens."

"Dish announced in July 2013 it would open up the API for its Hopper multiroom DVR system to select developers of mobile apps. Here at CEDIA Expo 2013, the satellite box manufacturer is demonstrating two-way integration with a Control4 home automation system. Solution includes SDDP for Control4."

“We’ve been working with Nest to bring our customers and installers a level of integration that previously hasn’t been available with the Nest Learning Thermostat,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president, products at Control4. “For customers, the partnership means they’ll be able to control their Nest thermostats through any Control4 interface such as a remote, touch screen or mobile app.”

"Nest won't start the program until early 2014, but it's already partnering with Control4; eventually, all of Control4's apps and remotes will commandeer Nest hardware."

"Nest isn't just waiting for others to join up — it's also announcing a partnership to integrate with the popular Control4 home automation system, setting the stage for a big new push into the home market. Control4 owners will be able to control Nest thermostats through their remotes, touch screens, and mobile apps, but the Nest will still program itself automatically with tricks like auto-away and predictive scheduling, and you'll still be able to use Nest's apps."

"Along with the developer program, Nest announced Wednesday that home automation company Control4 will be its first partner in the program. The Salt Lake City-based company manufactures and markets home theater controllers."

“The WMB is the perfect example of technology neutrality. Apple, Android, Windows, Bluetooth, it doesn’t care where the music comes from or what technology was sending it. The WMB just makes it available for your listening pleasure. The iPod is dead. Long live the Wireless Music Bridge!”

“After a week or so of living with Control4, it stopped feeling like a ‘thing’ and became more of an invisible ecosystem. Sort of like the plumbing in the walls,” commented Dennis Burger, editor of Home Tech Tell. “Control4 has become a central nervous system for my home and is the only affordable AV control solution that makes my home theater feel less like a collection of boxes and wires, and more like a cohesive, instinctive experience.”

"Control4 automation technology allows you to have touch-of-a-button access to independent temperature controls for your pool and spa, as well as spa jets, pool lights and even the system filter pump, and since almost every device in your smart home system is connected, you can tie your pool, outdoor audio, deck lighting, and even your TVs and sound system together to create an outdoor entertaining experience that will amaze your family and guests."

"Generally speaking, although I love the look of the new lighting products, our clients are usually unfamiliar with smart home technology, and they’re just so amazed by the functionality that the aesthetics are just a bonus."

"So far, I’ve found the Wireless Music Bridge to be unbelievably easy to use. As far as the Control4 system is concerned, the bridge simply shows up as another available source of music. With my iPhone and iPad, as well as my MacBook Air, it’s a simple matter of selecting the bridge as the AirPlay playback device."

"...especially when you consider the fact that a Control4 home controller, Wireless Music Bridge, and all of the custom programming required to make your life so much simpler and easier doesn’t cost much more than you’d pay for a really good AV receiver."

"While the Wireless Music Bridge does essentially a simple thing—connecting your smartphone media to your large A/V system, and a lot of other devices are available to do this in more basic applications, this is a first for an integrated system. More than that, it operates with the ease that owners of a professionally-programmed home automation system expect. If you’re a Control4 owner, get this. You’ll use it every day."

"With the Control4 Wireless Music Bridge, if you can listen to it from your smartphone, tablet or computer, you can listen to it in any audio zone in your home. In addition to stored music libraries, the new Control4 Wireless Music Bridge also provides a convenient path for Control4 customers to connect to streaming music services such as Pandora, Spotify, or Rdio from their personal smart devices -- all while preserving full phone and smart device browsing and app capabilities."

From security to lights to climate to entertainment, there is an app for all things home automation, allowing you to control your house whether at home or away, in real time: “Control4’s system goes beyond management of just lights and security to integrate control and monitoring of the entire home. For example, you can remotely shut down consoles if you see that your child is playing video games instead of doing his homework while you’re still at work…”

"Control4, a market leader in home automation systems, is introducing its next-generation of wireless lighting control that makes smart lighting easier, more elegant and accessible than ever before. With a sleek new look, an expansive slate of features, and support for virtually every type of lighting, the new Control4® Wireless Lighting solution lets homeowners add sophisticated, automated and personalized control of lights and ceiling fans to any home."

"How often have you found yourself miles from home when that moment of doubt starts to creep in: 'Did I lock the door when I left?' Control4, a market leader in home automation systems, today announced that it is now offering secure access, management, and control of your Control4 home automation system with its exclusive Control4® Anywhere Access, making it easy to remotely check that you turned off the lights, armed the security system, or turned down the thermostat. Now, you can just pull out your iPhone®, iPad® or Android® device, and your entire home is no further away than the palm of your hand."

It's in our cars and on our phones, now voice recognition software is making its way into our homes: “VoicePod translates commands like ‘turn on lights’ or ‘secure the house’ and sends the appropriate instructions to the Control4 system. Your vocal chords act as the remote control, allowing you to be completely hands-free.”

“Home-automation supplier Control4 is making wireless connections to mobile devices for the first time, turning smartphones and tablets into wireless whole-home music sources for its multi-room-audio systems…The Bridge works with Control4 systems running Control4 OS 2.5, which also enables control of the company's new wireless and panelized lighting control systems.”

Turn off the lights or change the temperature with a remote control that suits your needs: “Like other control manufacturers, Control4 offers an app that gives you a secure 3G/4G connection to your home’s lighting, security, energy, climate, and entertainment systems via your mobile device when on the go.”

"Control4 has been on a roll lately with new releases and big new updates to its home control platform, but today’s announcement tops them all. The company just took the lid off of a major new overhaul of its wireless lighting control products, with a ground-up redesign focused not only on enhanced aesthetics, but a seriously ginormous increase in the range of loads controllable entirely within the Control4 ecosystem."

“We spent eight years learning a lot about lighting,” says Scott Stephenson, Control4’s senior product manager of lighting and comfort. “We have been watching the way the world is changing with LED and have incorporated everything dealers have asked for. This new Control4 Wireless Lighting is incredibly sophisticated.”

“This one is huge. HYOOGE, I tell you. Not so much in the features it adds, but in the way it changes the Control4 business model altogether. Okay, there are new features, to be sure. The biggest is the addition of TuneIn right from the Control4 UI.”

"...Fortunately, home automation technologies like lighting and climate controls have evolved in the last few years to become smarter, and more usable, in part by allowing programming from smartphones and tablets. Most now use wireless technologies so they do not require ripping out walls."

"It’s a Trojan horse. Hidden within its metal belly is a full-fledged Control4 home automation processor. (Control4 people tell me it’s somewhere in between the HC250 and HC800 in terms of features and power.) This means that when you buy the receiver, you have in your hands not only an amplifier and signal processor, but also the means to move from a messy basket of remotes to a fully-integrated control system. Let me assure you, that’s no small thing."

"Companies like Control4 offer the ability to manage your home with a universal remote that lowers the blinds, dims the lights, and turns on the music, all while beef bourguignon roasts in your smart oven for your dinner party."

"...Our Control4 in-room system is a great example for you. Basically, you never have to leave the bed in order to get things done: You can lock your door from your remote, which is connected to Control4 through your television; you can set a schedule to open and close your curtains, and that could go together with your wakeup call. You can set the mood and choose music from whatever channel suits you best, and you can wake up to that, as well. Something else about Control4 that’s pretty amazing is that the room will actually welcome you. By using your key to open the door, music softly turns on, your sheers and curtains open so you can see the beautiful view, both during the day and at night. It’s very soft and very seamless."

"I am now controlling those two lights and kitchen lighting, all the television equipment in two rooms, music in four rooms, the heating and cooling systems, an outdoor security camera and even the front-door lock from a Control4 touch screen iPad, iPhone or Droid smartphone. While I'm away, I can adjust the temperature, even unlock the door for the pet-sitter, via the Web. And when the door-lock batteries run low, I'll get an email notification. That, my friends, is brilliant."

"The promise of one remote to control an entire home is something I think a lot of people want. Including that potential in something that many people are looking to buy anyway (a receiver) is a logical step in making home automation more accessible to a wider audience."

"Technology is being integrated in the planning stage so that it complements the design and enhances the job of the space…with Control4 home automation systems, it’s never been easier to manage a busy household. A single remote enables you to control music, lighting, security, and appliances."

"Just a few years ago, the term 'home automation' meant a bunch of blinking lights and a headache. But thanks to simpler interfaces and the rise of smartphones, new technology can transform your house into a safer, more comfortable, less wasteful place."

"Give a glow to your house or landscape…for instance, press the ‘entertain’ button and the front gate lights up, or lights illuminate your plants while music plays softly through the outdoor speakers."

"In addition to tracking energy consumption, this sleek system allows you to control virtually all your household electronics and lighting."

"I advocate people to ask what they want to make happen today, this week, this month and this year," he says. "It inspires people to get up in the morning and make things happen. Don't ride waves—make waves."

"...hoteliers are jumping on the control bandwagon, which is the 'wow' amenity of the moment that puts luxury hotels a cut above... A Control4 system acts as the backbone, allowing simple control with a straightforward interface."

"...[this] Four-Star hotel is programmed with Control4 technology that detects when you enter your room—so you'll be greeted as the lights turn on, the curtains open and the temperature adjusts. The wired rooms aren't just impressive, but also save energy for the LEED Gold-certified hotel."

"As I entered the room for the first time, the drapes and sheers opened, music started playing the lights gradually brightened. Was I impressed? Yes."

"Control4 makes home automation systems that allow centralized and remote access to various devices and appliances."