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ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME CONTROLS LIGHTING AND SOLAR WITH A HIGH-TECH TWIST: florida, miami, smart-home-stories,

ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME CONTROLS LIGHTING AND SOLAR WITH A HIGH-TECH TWIST

May 6, 2018

It takes a community to raise a house that’s so efficient it produces excess power to sell back to the local utility. It requires environmentally conscious design and construction, plus a bevy of green, eco-friendly products and systems to put a residence on a path toward achieving the coveted Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environment Design) rating. And, it paints a realistic picture of how technology can play a role in promoting a cleaner, healthier and greener way of living.

CONTROL4 PUTS AUDIO POWER IN THE PALM OF THE HAND

May 6, 2018

Of any space in a house, a home theater probably packs in the most technology. There is the rack of sophisticated gear that processes, amplifies and feeds content to the surround-sound speakers and video projector...

AIR, WATER, AND LIGHT

May 6, 2018

In this retired couple’s dream home, automation is elementary. “I’ve always tried to stay up with the latest gadgets out there,” the owner notes. “I liked the Control4 system because of its simplicity, and the user interface that I could have in controlling the lights myself.”

HOW THE WEST WAS WON

May 5, 2018

A newbie installer smartens up a top floor in Texas.

FIT FOR A KING

May 5, 2018

Automation gives a Texas homeowner the power to live happily ever after.

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

May 5, 2018

A suburban street in Texas has no residents, but lots of smarts.

HOLY HOME MAKEOVER!

May 5, 2018

A New York City church becomes a smart home, with a surprise interior.

A WELL-KNOWN EATERY TURNS INTO A HIGH-TECH HOT SPOT

May 4, 2018

When Martin Bobak, owner of the Tilted Kilt in Illinois, wanted to make his restaurant an entertainment knockout, he contacted Control4 integrator Procom Enterprises to design an automation system that would add a high-energy, American twist to his traditional pub.

EXTRAORDINARY LIVING

May 4, 2018

From the sleek, in-wall Control4 Touch Screen residents can retrieve messages, connect to the concierge, valet, or make a service request with building management—all with the touch of a finger.

CONTROL4 AUTOMATION FOR ENTERPRISING MINDS

May 4, 2018

This is certainly no ordinary workspace. Winklevoss Capital Management (WCW), a 5,000-square-foot office in the heart of New York City, is brimming with innovative technology, all with the aim of...

CUTTING-EDGE CONFERENCING

May 4, 2018

It's hard not to judge a book by its cover. If you want to impress potential clients, you need a conference room that represents the brand of your business.

CREATIVITY, CONTROL & CARTOONS

May 3, 2018

Simon Oré uses Control4 to inspire his animation work—and avoid the Hollywood runaround.

BLOCK-BUSTER: THE HOUSE THAT HOLLYWOOD BUILT

May 3, 2018

There are dream destinations, and then there are destinations for your dreams. Los Angeles, California is the latter—a veritable dream Mecca. A real-world fantasy-land where...

SPEC MEETS SMARTS

May 3, 2018

When a speculative home spans 7,249 square feet and carries a price tag of $15 million, certain amenities are to be expected. Granite countertops-check. Marble flooring-check. Luxurious landscaping-check. But Richard Simis took luxurious living to another level by adding a full-blown, soup-to-nuts Control4 automation system...

BE DAZZLED

May 3, 2018

"One of my favorite features is that at the end of the evening when we’re upstairs getting ready for bed, we’re able to turn off all the lights and set the alarm without having to make the extra trip downstairs.”

A LEVEL ABOVE

May 3, 2018

Home Control and Automation Are True No-Brainers in This “High-Desert Modern” Haven. Hands Aren’t Required, Either.

OLD ENGLISH PUB PACKED WITH SMART HOME SURPRISES

May 3, 2018

A secret biometric button on a statue of Beethoven swings open a door to reveal a hiding place

A KEY TO THE COOLEST PAD

May 3, 2018

Whatever you do, don’t call them switches. Control4 wireless keypads can certainly control your lights, but that’s just the beginning of what this customizable hardware can do.

MODERN MAN CAVES

May 3, 2018

The classic “He-Man Hideaway” gets updated with automation.

SAFE AND SOUND

May 3, 2018

A New England family uses automation to add security and comfort to their home.

BOSTON UNCOMMON

May 3, 2018

Automation takes a stunning urban home to the next level. And the next, and the next, and the next.

HI-TECH FOR HARDBODIES

May 3, 2018

At this New England gym, Control4 does the heavy lifting.

WE KINDIG-IT! KIN YOU?

May 1, 2018

When a custom design business enlists the service of custom design automation, the result can only be unique. Welcome to Kindig-It Design, not only the hottest custom car design shop in Salt Lake City, but also the star of Velocity’s reality series “Bitchin’ Rides"...

A SMART HOME NEAR THE SLOPES

May 1, 2018

This Park City family wanted to increase the comfort of their home by integrating single-touch control throughout. Using Control4, a smart home system now offers single-touch control of the lights, A/V, security, and comfort in nearly 30 rooms.

SOME LITTLE BIRDIE

May 1, 2018

Fully equipped with 100+ speakers, 260 TVs, and 42 miles of wire, this facility in Midvale, Utah is the 27th Topgolf to swing through the U.S. It’s “like a digital driving range,” says a Yelp review.

MONTAGE AT DEER VALLEY

April 30, 2018

Montage Deer Valley and Control4 combine the very best in comfort, luxury, and convenience.

UP, UP, AND… AMAZING

April 30, 2018

For Greg Windisch, from the moment he found this secluded slice of wooded heaven, it was about slowly but surely transforming it into something of his very own—a space that both worked in harmony with the forested environment and yet equally complemented his lifestyle, which means, yes, just as air is to the bird, a decent dose of technology was needed for Greg’s vision.

SMART HOMES… TO GO

April 30, 2018

Gone are the days, it seems, of the “shoe box” modular home. Companies like Irontown Homes use designers and architects to truly customize a homebuyer’s plan. “As long as it can be broken down into pieces and moved down the road, we can put it together..."

BRODY VS. AUTISM

April 30, 2018

With personal experience with both a child who has autism and what home automation is capable of, Mark engineered his house to make everyday life with three and-a-half-year-old Brody a little easier. One-touch buttons and preprogrammed scenes do everything from help him start his day with a smile, engage harmoniously with his therapist and one creative application has even helped curb a new development of Brody leaving the house unannounced.

IT AWAITS...

April 18, 2018

Alas, have you ever been to one of those psychological thriller movies where things are too perfect? The type where there’s something subtly amiss with the flawless house, town, family or friend in spite of all outward appearances? Spring is like that for a homeowner.

Spring Chickens

March 27, 2018

With Easter Sunday soon upon us and ads everywhere for chicks, I seem to have eggs on the brain. So it was kind of a surprise when I overhead a co-worker talking about his automated chicken coop. Say what? I’ve heard of people automating some weird things over the past years

Can smart home technology reduce home insurance rates?

March 22, 2018

...The benefits of having a smart home system installed go beyond safety and convenience. Another benefit you may not be aware of is the potential to receive home insurance discounts for installing smart home technology.

TOP SMART HOME TRENDS OF 2017 & “TECHSPECTATIONS” FOR 2018

January 24, 2018

Like any technology, smart devices designed for use in the home exist in a constant state of evolution. New developments in electronics, circuitry, and software have enabled devices to become increasingly intelligent, fast, and affordable, and to perform tasks that were once unimaginable.

Remote Control World: 5 Must-Have Automated Home Accessories

January 4, 2018

The home of the future has arrived, thanks in large part to state-of-the-art automation accessories. These “smart” devices can transform an ordinary house into one with improved energy efficiency, safety, and privacy (while making daily tasks a lot more convenient and fun). From controlling your home’s temperature, lighting, and security system, to making it all work together with just a simple voice command, here’s a look at five must-have smart home accessories.

Home Maintenance Tips for Every Season

November 20, 2017

You could “spring” into frenetic activity every March or April to maintain and improve your home’s safety and appearance. Or, if you prefer a less stressful approach, consider accomplishing a few routine tasks every month for added benefits. Use the checklist of home maintenance basics below to keep your house clean, safe, and secure, as well as save on monthly utility bills.

5 KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK A CONTRO4 DEALER BEFORE YOU INSTALL A SMART HOME SYSTEM

November 8, 2017

It may have taken a while, but after researching your options from some of the world's leading smart home brands, you've finally decided that Control4 home automation system is the way to go. Now there's just one crucial question left to answer: Which Control4 dealer will you work with to supply, install, and ultimately maintain that system?

Giving “House Music” a New Meaning

October 2, 2017

There are a variety of ways to pipe music around the twenty-first century home. You could get a massive boombox, crank it to 11, and stand in your foyer all John Cusack Say Anything style. You could snag a bunch of cheap clock radios on Amazon, carefully tune them all to the same station and volume, and then enjoy some sweet (and nostalgic!) FM as you move about the house. You could carefully scatter Bluetooth speakers in different rooms and then play a fun little technology game called “How far is 33 feet away?” Or you could go with a professionally designed and installed audio system carefully crafted to maximize the performance for each listening area. If the last approach sounds like the way you like to roll, then read on to learn what kinds of primo audio experiences you can create in different areas of your home!

How Smart Home Automation Can Increase Your Home's Property Value

September 21, 2017

From smart thermostats to automated lighting and everything in between, there's no question that innovative, Internet-enabled technology can make a home more fun, convenient and safe. What you may not know, however, is that it also represents a potentially valuable investment.

iOS 11 Updates Affecting Legacy MyHome App for Control4 Homes

September 20, 2017

Today, Apple released the latest version of Apple® iOS for iPhone and iPad. With iOS 11, Apple is ending support for 32-bit iPhone and iPad apps. For homes running Control4 OS 2.5.3 and earlier, the legacy Control4 MyHome apps (with the grey app icon) will not be able to be installed on iPhones and iPads running iOS 11.

STEM EDUCATION LEARNS ABOUT HOME AUTOMATION

August 15, 2017

Recently, our very own Salt Lake City-based Control4 Technical Trainer, Jake Erickson, had the opportunity to visit a local Elementary, Falcon Ridge, to teach kids in the STEM program about smart technology. He gave them a virtual “tour” of his own smart home from his phone, demonstrating how to remotely turn on/off televisions and lights, check in on cameras, and start the music throughout the house. He also talked about the addition of voice control and the many ways you can use verbal commands to interact with your house.

How Home Automation Can Help You Care for Loved Ones

June 29, 2017

Advances in home automation products are making it easier to feel safer in our homes, automate routine tasks, and help us gain insight into our behavior. But these “smart” devices are more than fancy gadgets—for the elderly, they also offer the promise of freedom.

Five innovative ways to disguise your television

June 28, 2017

We all love nice TVs. One thing you may not love, however, is having your television be the focal point of the room. Luckily, several companies have created options to conceal even massive TVs from view. Some of the innovative solutions for television concealment range from simple TV frames to TVs that double as mirrors or artwork. Here are five of the most innovative products on the market today.

7 HOME IMPROVEMENTS FOR SUMMER 2017

June 7, 2017

Summer is almost here, and there’s no better time to upgrade your home. Evolving trends and improving technology mean there’s a lot you can do, but here are seven essential updates for your home this summer.

CHECKLIST: Some Helpful "To Do's" Before You Take Off

June 7, 2017

Going on vacation is all about getting away from reality. When you’re sitting on the beach with your toes in the sand and a drink in your hand, you don’t want to spend a single moment wondering if you emptied the trash or left the lights on deter would-be burglars back home. As important as it is to be prepared with everything you need for your trip, it’s just as important to be certain things at home are taken care of at home while you’re away.

Expert Interview Series: Brad Hintze of Control4 on Trends in Home Automation

May 9, 2017

Our mission is to bring technology into the home that the whole family can love. Technology that makes life easier and more relaxing. It’s quite true that there is a lot of home technology available today. But the challenge has been making it easy for the whole family and something that fits naturally into home life. Control4 is focused on making your lighting smarter, entertainment easier and more engaging, and helping families feel safe and secure.

Offset Accent Pieces with Lighting Scenes—a Bright Idea for Home Decor

May 3, 2017

There’s a lot more to lighting than your standard-issue overhead lights and lamps. When used thoughtfully, lighting can highlight artwork and sculptural pieces, direct attention to an accent wall or interesting feature in your home, or add drama to your landscaping and hallways. And now, with smart lighting, it’s easy to program multiple settings for a single room...

Smart Lighting: a Home Solution with Lots of Health Benefits

March 23, 2017

Fluorescent lights, computer screens, neon signs—there is certainly a lot of peripheral light in our lives. And to your circadian rhythms, that light can read like a lot of excess noise. Fortunately, smart lighting and scheduled scenes can help you cut back on the effects of unwanted light—at least in your home—keeping you alert throughout the day and helping you fall fast asleep at night.

Building with Control4: Barroso Homes Spotlight

March 20, 2017

Over the years, our projects have become increasingly larger, more complex, more beautiful, and ultimately more technology focused. I have an awesome team backing me up all the way. We all have one common goal—to make beautiful, innovative communities one custom home at a time. We all take great pride in our jobs while we focus on being a leader in innovation, technology, and energy efficiency.

How to choose the right home security system

March 13, 2017

According to FBI statistics, there were more than 1.5 million burglaries in 2015. As a homeowner, this might be alarming—especially for those who have families. There are several measures people take to help keep their homes and families safe.

Unique Smart Home Features You May Have Never Heard About

March 2, 2017

All the connected devices in my home give me the ability for control from apps on my phones, tablets, and computers, which is great in itself, however ‘Home Automation’ should take things one step further.

Wi-Fi: What it is, Why You Need it, and How to Make It Work Better.

March 1, 2017

Wi-Fi used to be considered a nice convenience in the home — now it’s an absolute necessity. The number of connected devices will reach about 50 billion in the next five years, according to Dave Evans, former chief futurist at Cisco.

Perks of Regular Home Maintenance

February 17, 2017

We tend to take care of our nice, expensive things. We regularly change the oil in our cars and go to the car wash. We polish our shoes and dry-clean our clothes. However, we often skip routine maintenance tasks on our homes—arguably our most expensive and best investments.

5 Easy Updates for a Safer and Smarter Home in 2017

December 20, 2016

With the coming new year on the horizon, it’s a great time to audit your home for easy safety and technology improvements. There are many simple upgrades you can make to improve your home’s safety—all you’ll need is a few smart devices and some tried-and-true hacks.

Using Smart Lighting to Stage a Home

November 28, 2016

Homebuyers are most amenable when they’re feeling bright and happy, so generally, flooding your interiors with warm, yellow light really gets them in the mood to sign. However, with a smart lighting system, you can use programing to cycle through various scenes that a buyer might go through in their day-to-day lives, helping them project themselves into your home’s spaces.

BITS & PIECES: FROM HOME SMART HOME MAGAZINE

November 28, 2016

Check out these fun facts in this infographic featured in our most recent issue of Home Smart Home magazine. Download this issue for more fun, inspirational and entertaining articles and stories about automation and technology.

Is Online TV Killing Traditional TV? [INFOGRAPHIC]

November 14, 2016

With the rise in SVOD (subscription-video-on-demand) streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, the internet has become increasingly important in the way that consumers now watch television. But is online TV killing traditional TV? Check out this infographic with statistics on how people in the United States and the United Kingdom are consuming their shows and movies.

7 reasons to put Alexa in your conference room

November 7, 2016

Now that the smaller and outrageously low-priced Echo Dot is hitting the market it’s becoming harder to resist trying what many consider to be the most convenient piece of tech they’ve bought in years. Most Echos end up in the kitchen (where hands-free timer setting and DJing tend to be the most helpful), but we’ve been wondering about its potential in the conference room. We put one in ours and here is where it shined.

HOW'S YOUR HOME NETWORK?

September 14, 2016

Stop for a moment and think about the number of devices in and around your house that rely on your home network. Ten years ago, this might have amounted to no more than a laptop, a desktop or two, and maybe a DVR. Today, your network is likely congested with tablets, TVs, media streamers, music systems, multiple smartphones—including those of your frequent guests—and maybe even a few appliances. And that’s not even considering the fact that the home network forms the foundation for any home automation system.

The New Frontier in Cinema: An Immersive Home Theater

July 5, 2016

A dark space, high definition crystal clear clarity, ear popping surround sound, and the smell of buttery popcorn. Going to the cinema holds a great appeal for many, but what with long lines, crowded malls, and exorbitant prices for tickets and concessions, that appeal can quickly wane. Luckily there’s a new frontier in cinema currently taking place which eradicates these issues. The home theater includes all of the immersive advantages of a traditional cinema but at your own convenience, control, and customization.

Smart. Safe. Secure.

April 16, 2016

The FBI reports that in 2014 we had 1,121,416 residential burglaries nationwide. Spacing those out evenly across the entire year gives us one burglary every 28 seconds. But here’s the good news: that number is down 10% from 2013. In fact, that statistic has been steadily dropping each year since 2011. Not coincidentally, by 2011, more than 75% of U.S. homes were connected to the Internet. Wireless home monitoring was the new trend...

Smart Appliances & the Kitchen of Tomorrow

April 5, 2016

Would you like to make your kitchen futuristic without having to break the bank or spend months waiting for your home to be renovated? That’s now very easy to achieve in the modern era of smart kitchen technology, where fridges can tell you what’s inside and for how long each item has been there, or cookers that can interact with your smartphone to tell you when your meal is ready to be served. This infographic by Pennywell (www.pennywell.ie) takes a look at the impact of smart kitchen appliances, giving you a peek into an exciting future.

The Backbone of the Connected Home

March 22, 2016

Network stability is the foundation for every smart home. It’s not just a “nice to have,” it’s a requirement. Whether you spend $2000, $10,000 or $100,000 on an AV system or a smart home system, its performance is only as good as the network it runs on. Would you buy a high performance Lamborghini sports car and fill it with unleaded regular gasoline? Of course not, but that is exactly...

Redesign Your Home Office to Be More Efficient and Tech Savvy

February 23, 2016

Working from home has its luxuries, including a flexible schedule, no dress code, and the lack of office environment stress. But that doesn’t mean it’s an all-day movie marathon pajama party. You have important tasks to accomplish that require tuning out numerous distractions, and you must tackle menial side-tasks without getting derailed. When you’re physically uncomfortable or worried about activities going on outside of your office, a whole day’s worth of productivity can fly out the window.

Smart Home Technology to Improve Your Life

February 17, 2016

Smart home technology is all about the automation or management of your home and daily life. This could be anything from lights that can be controlled remotely or on a schedule, to connected home entertainment systems for streaming media to multiple screens, or added features to enhance your home security. To some, smart home technology might seem like an appealing concept for gadget-gurus. But in reality, a big selling point of smart home technology is that it can actually save money, in addition to making life more convenient...

Top Home Safety Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

January 12, 2016

Home burglaries and break-ins are common, far more than you may think. Though property crime has come down in the United States in recent years, a report released by the Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the FBI says that 1,121,416 residences in the country were burglarized in 2014. Fortunately, home burglaries are much easier to prevent if you follow a few simple safety rules and guidelines...

How a Smart Home Helps Spread Holiday Cheer

December 5, 2015

With the holiday decorating, shopping, and cooking in full swing, there has never been a better time to automate your home. Home automation can help you manage the wonderful chaos, entertaining your family when they come to visit, setting that special ambience that inspires the holiday spirit, and keeping your valuables and loved ones more secure than ever...

Keep Your House Dry, DAM-it!

December 2, 2015

Every year nearly one million families have their homes ruined and their lives overturned by water damage and the subsequent repairs. These incidents are always unexpected and the cost of repairs can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Even after the damage is repaired, you can still suffer from side effects—such as mold—that are invasive and hard to track down.

Automation for Autism: Control for a Cause

December 2, 2015

As an interior designer I have dedicated my life to creating optimal environments for individuals with autism. Raising an autistic child can be a challenge; I know, my son Devin was diagnosed at age three. Through my research, my writing, and my work, I recognize that design cannot cure a child, but the right designed environment can eliminate unnecessary roadblocks...

5 Ways to Use Home Automation While Preparing Thanksgiving Dinner

November 25, 2015

With the use of a Control4 home automation system, you can make this Thanksgiving dinner easier and more efficient than ever. Here are five reasons why.

3 Ways to Have Fun This Holiday Season with Smart Home Automation

November 25, 2015

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukah are approaching fast – it’s hard to believe 2015 is almost over. While you start thinking about your guest list for holiday celebrations and your Christmas or Hanukah shopping list, take some time to get in the holiday spirit with smart home automation. Here are our three tips for using your smart home for some holiday fun.

5 Ways to Home Entertainment Bliss

November 3, 2015

First the bad news: Chances are, you could be getting a LOT more out of your home entertainment system. The good news? Today’s advances in AV will add some snap, sizzle, and pop to your movies and music, programs and sports, dinner parties and bashes. Get ready to boost the quality and resolution of your home AV and almost blow the ceiling off of your entertaining limitations.

Garage To Guest Room: 5 Home Automation Highlights

October 23, 2015

From a gadget that safeguards our garages, to tech that takes the tedium out of entertaining, there’s just no denying it: home automation is changing the way we live. And with a Control4 system at the helm, this revolutionary technology is transforming every room in our homes into a hub of home automation. How, exactly? Today we’re exploring just that! So join us as we take a tour of the 5 rooms where home automation is making our lives that much easier, secure, and enjoyable!

78 Home Automation Ideas

October 6, 2015

The possibilities for home automation are limitless, from lighting to home theater and more. Here are 78 home automation ideas to get you started!

Tech Bits & "Little-Did-You-Knows"

September 15, 2015

A "Shoulder Phone" from Japan, a computer for the Amish, and a rechargeable highway...those are just a few of the fun facts you'll discover here!

Smarts for Sale: Automation Adds Advantages When Selling Your Home

August 19, 2015

On a street in Toronto, Canada, two neighborhood homes went up for sale at the exact same time. The homes had the exact same floorplan and square footage, and were on the same street. One home sold in three days. The other is still on the market, over two months later, with a reduced price. What’s the difference? Automation. READ MORE...

9 Ways Home Automation Systems Can Help Working Parents

August 12, 2015

As a parent, your first priority is certainly the safety of your kids. And if you are a working parent, the thought of your kids’ safety is sure to bother you while you’re away at work too! A home automation system is not just an essential security feature, it can do much more for you and your family. Here are 9 ways a home automation system can help...

Home Alone: How My Smart Home Helped Me Reclaim My Independence

August 7, 2015

...I was determined to make it with as little assistance as possible and for twelve years I succeeded in inching my way up the career ladder. But early one morning all of that came to a sudden end when I awoke on the floor after...

Back to School Contest: Put the “Art” in Smart

August 5, 2015

To celebrate the upcoming school year, Control4 invites your kids to fire up their creativity and create a picture of what they think a smart home is. When they put the "ART" in "SMART" they'll be entered into our Lock-&-Light Giveaway! Get all the details here...

5 Ways to GO BIG with Automation in Your Man Cave or Media Room

July 27, 2015

The “Man Cave” is said to be the “last bastion of masculinity” within the home, and whether your sanctuary is in a garage, spare bedroom, basement or media room, there are many ways that you can make it even cooler...way cooler than adding neon signs, mini-fridges, or even your favorite team’s memorabilia. In fact, integrating a variety of devices, sensors and programming into an automation system can make your personal space into something you might want to share with everyone!

4K vs. Faux-K: Get What You Paid For

May 26, 2015

If you are buying a new 4K TV, you probably want to make sure that you are capable of viewing true 4K images and not find yourself stuck living in last year’s 1080p world. That’s why we’re discussing true, native 4K versus Faux-K to make sure your new TV delivers everything you paid for.

Ready, Check, Go! What you need to enjoy 4K UHDTV!

May 26, 2015

Do you live on the cutting edge and you want to experience the most and the absolute best that technology has to offer? Do you want to be able to count every dimple on Jordan Spieth’s Titleist, see every wool fiber in James Bond’s Saville Row tailored suit, and revel in every, um, detail of Christian Grey’s red room? Then what you want is 4K!...

All Things 4K - Get the Featured Article Here!

May 21, 2015

Chances are you have some questions about what 4K TV is, why people are excited about it, and what you need to have to make sure you can enjoy all of the benefits it provides both now and for the foreseeable future. This e-book will answer all of your questions in an easy-to-read, non-technical manner to ensure you are prepared to ride the 4K revolution!

Getting Comfortable—with Beautiful New Climate Control

April 16, 2015

It’s not a new thing to be able to control your home’s temperature from a touch screen or handheld device—that’s a feature Control4 has been delivering to customers for years. But they’ve just rolled out an enhanced experience through a new user-interface, providing a powerful and beautiful way to sync the thermostats in your home to the fluctuations in your household routines.

The Benefits of a Dedicated Touch Screen

April 13, 2015

A few years ago, a little thing called the “app” altered the way people interact with the electronic systems in their homes. With only a swipe and a tap, smartphone-loving homeowners were in complete charge of everything from thermostats and light switches to complete home automation systems. Convenient? Absolutely. And who can deny the cool factor associated with whipping out a phone while on a date to get the house ready for an impromptu nightcap? With so much hoopla surrounding control apps, it can be easy to forget about one of the most respected user-interfaces available: the dedicated touch screen.

Not Your Grandad’s Door-Phone: Introducing Control4’s High-Definition Video Intercom

April 7, 2015

Intercoms a great way to monitor what’s happening in and around your household. You’ll not only hear the baby cooing in the nursery, you’ll also be able to admire her from a touch screen mounted in the kitchen or sitting on the countertop while making dinner. Then, of course, there are the security benefits. By tying in stand-alone surveillance cameras, you can see who’s knocking before you open the front door, and in crisp, clear, full-color video on an generous-sized screen...

Gearing Up For Spring Cleaning With Home Automation

April 1, 2015

Spring cleaning is about more than just clearing out the garage or dusting the nooks and crannies you’ve neglected for the past several months. It’s about starting anew. It’s about re-organizing your home in a way that reflects a fresh outlook on life. It’s your opportunity to take your house (and all its furnishings and features) and align them with your goals. What better way to do some spring cleaning than with Control4 home automation?

Unique Home Automation Ideas For Women

March 17, 2015

Imagine: You come home after a long day of work and, instead of manually adjusting the thermostat, flipping on all the lights, activating the gas fireplace and turning on the stereo system, you simply press one button to transform your home environment into a place that’s warm, welcoming and relaxing.

Unique Home Automation Ideas For Men

March 17, 2015

Ready to turn your house into a restful retreat away from work? Here are three home automation-inspired ideas—all possible through a professional installed and customized Control4 system...

Smart Home Technology: What You’re Missing. [INFOGRAPHIC]

March 3, 2015

A recent survey from ERA Real Estate and HGTV shows that consumers of all generations value smart technology features in both current and future homes. That’s because a smart home is one that is well-positioned for the future and aligns with a growing reliance on mobile technology...

The Convenience of Digital Movies

February 24, 2015

It wasn’t too long ago that movie time meant driving to the video store to rent a DVD. It also involved tweaking the settings of the TV, setting up the room lights and finding the right remote for the DVD player. Not a terribly complicated process, but one that definitely took some time and effort.

Time to Ditch the Memory Sticks for a Network Attached Storage Device?

January 22, 2015

If your household is like mine, you probably have a collection of memory sticks floating around inside drawers, coat pockets, backpacks and car glove compartments. For years, these little sticks have been our go-to devices to store our multimedia collection—music, videos, photos and other forms of entertainment—as well as important documents.

CES: My Favorite High Tech Products

January 15, 2015

This year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas seemed all about the Internet of Things, or IoT, for short. There were washing machines and dryers that connect to the Internet, surveillance cameras that zip real-time images to smartphones and scads of devices that can be monitored quickly and conveniently from an app on a phone or table. I saw connected versions of thermostats, garage doors, security systems, and more...

Apps: Are They Making Your House Too Complicated to Control?

January 6, 2015

According to Gartner, Inc.*, by the year 2022, the average family home could contain more than 500 smart devices, and it’s likely that each of these products will be able to be controlled via an app on a smartphone or tablet. On the surface, this might sound like a good idea, but imagine hunting and pecking through dozens of individual apps to manage your home environment. Instead of making your house easier to control, your app-infested phone could conceivably make the process painfully tedious and time consuming.

User Interfaces—The Human Link to a Home Automation System

November 18, 2014

While home automation systems are perfectly capable of running a household in this hands-off fashion, many homeowners feel more comfortable being able to actively operate the various products and systems under the backing of an automation system. Rather than relying completely on a system...

Innovative Smart Home Applications

November 12, 2014

The primary function of any home automation system is, well, to automate the electronic systems in your house and to let you control them easily and succinctly through devices like smartphones, tablets and touch screens. At certain times, and under certain conditions like first thing in the morning or when you swipe an icon on your tablet, an automation system can turn lights and A/V equipment on and off, raise and lower motorized window shades and regulate the thermostats. But there’s more to an automation system than its ability to put your home on automatic pilot...

Working with a Home Automation Integrator

October 29, 2014

A realtor wouldn’t dream of selling you a house without understanding your needs and wants (or “must-haves” as they’re known these days). The same goes for the professional who designs and installs automation systems. Here are 10 tips on how to effectively work with a home automation professional.

The Benefits of Professional Installation

October 22, 2014

Home automation has been inching slowly into the mainstream, and with new do-it-yourself focused systems hitting the marketplace hard and heavy, consumers are faced with the decision on whether to tackle the setup of a home automation system themselves or to hire a home systems professional to do the job. There are many good reasons to pay for a professional, and the good news is that most manufacturers have implemented technology into their systems that can streamline the programming and installation process significantly. Here are five reasons that’ll make you think seriously about hiring a home systems professional.

The Control4 Advantage

October 13, 2014

When designed and installed properly by a trained, knowledgeable home systems integrator, a home automation system is able to perform some amazing feats. This goes for systems offered by Control4, as well as many other home automation products on the market. Where the differences between systems often lie is in the engineering of their control platforms. For example...

Why Should I Add a Home Automation System to My Home?

September 5, 2014

Think back. Can you remember what it was like to change the channels of your TV manually? When channel surfing and volume tweaking meant bouncing back and forth between couch and console? Although folks from the generation that remembers these antiquated modes of control may not have realized it then, this was highly inconvenient. Fast forward to the era of handheld remote, where we have all the necessary buttons for finding and enjoying a TV program right at our fingertips.

Frozen – Don’t Let the Cold Bother You

August 18, 2014

Since we live in a technologically-saturated environment, I’m now able to watch the Frozen movie and listen to the soundtrack at home, on the deck, in the backyard, in the car on the way to work, at the office, and in my head while I’m trying to fall asleep. At least one benefit of this same technology is that I can finally control my thermostat with those same devices. Now when the princess freezes the town, my Honeywell Smart Wi-Fi thermostat can chill the room to help my girls get the full effect.

Technology Breathes New Life into Old Homes

August 11, 2014

Just like a new coat of paint or updated countertops, electronic systems should be part of a remodeling plan. Back in the early days of home automation, most systems were designed to be installed while a home was under construction. It was a wise strategy. The new housing market at that time was strong and healthy, so there were plenty of new homes to wire up for automation, security, lighting and whole-house A/V systems...

Smart Golf Projects: Getting Geared Up for the PGA Championship

August 6, 2014

It’s great to get out of the house to shoot a round, but you really can’t beat having a virtual course in your own home, accessible at any moment you choose.

The Right Way to Customize Keypads

July 31, 2014

Being able to press one button to control multiple devices is one of the most appealing features of home automation. Creating these one-button “scenes” requires programming of the keypad’s companion home automation system, which is a fairly simple task for a trained custom electronics (CE) professional. Surprisingly, what’s often the most challenging part of a keypad design is deciding what to name each button.

Lighting the Way

July 23, 2014

In a previous article, I wrote about a number of ways to use technology to make things easier on moms. I’m now excited to share with you the nuts & bolts of how I use lighting in our smart home to make my job easier as a mom. Now don't worry, I'm not going to get technical, but rather will give you an overview with real life scenarios that show you just how easy, convenient and practical lighting automation can be. Since I can't give you a personal tour of my house, I will show you how I control the house...while I'm home and away!

Remote Monitoring: Peace of Mind on Your Next Vacation

July 21, 2014

You’ve hit the road with the family for the annual summer vacation. You can’t help but feel apprehensive about the well-being of your house and property while you’re away. Thanks to innovative home technology, your worries can be over.

A Winning Combination

July 18, 2014

There’s no doubt that the iPad is a great device from which to manage a home, but for many families, using a combination of different types of controllers is often a better solution than sticking strictly with a mobile device. Be sure to also consider integrating wall-mounted keypads, portable touchpanels and handheld remotes. Here’s why:

Getting Your Control4 System to Adapt to You

July 14, 2014

One of the biggest mistakes we as tech consumers make is trying to force ourselves to adapt to the electronic systems in our homes. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Shouldn’t technology adapt to the way we live? Yes and yes.

Home Theater: A Great Place to Start Automating

July 9, 2014

The thought of placing your entire house under the command of a single home automation system can seem like a daunting task. And in some cases, it can be. Whether your home is in the process of being built or is already completely finished, its layout and your budget can all influence the difficulty of the design and installation of the processors, wiring and other components that make up a control system. Fortunately, manufacturers like Control4 offer solutions that allow you to add home automation gradually, one component at a time, as you deem necessary and financially wise.

5 Easy Ways to Save Energy

June 5, 2014

Conserving energy at home shouldn’t require you to sacrifice comfort or make you feel deprived. Smart energy conservation shouldn’t require a change of routine or lifestyle or create a lot of extra work. With an automation system at the helm of your house, you don’t need to be uncomfortable or inconvenienced to conserve energy, as the system is able to operate the lights, thermostats, and other power-hungry devices with the utmost efficiency. The system empowers you to easily shave money off your monthly utility bill. Here are five ways an automation system can foster energy efficiency:

5 Need-To-Knows: Designing Your Smart Home

June 4, 2014

Imagine waking up in the morning, not to the glaring blare of an alarm clock, but to your favorite song streaming through speakers in the ceiling, as your blinds slowly open to reveal the morning sun. Touch one button by your bed and the lights in the hallway turn on so you can safely navigate to the kitchen where the TV is already tuned into your favorite morning news program. As you race out the door for work, smile as everything powers down—the lights, the TVs, the audio—even the thermostat dials back to a more energy-effi cient setting. The alarm arms, the garage door closes and every door in the house gets locked. Automatically.

Home Automation For All

May 27, 2014

For many years, the idea of home automation has been regarded as a playground for only the wealthiest, or a work of science fiction. The reality is that, up until recently, the cost of these systems did indeed make them unattainable to most. Enter Control4, automation for the rest of us!

2020 Alton Road: The Greenest Home in South Florida

May 21, 2014

This award-winning home in Miami, Florida earned the highest-scoring LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) rating in the nation. A Net-Zero home that uses materials and technology, including a Control4 home automation system to manage all of the home’s energy-saving systems, the Alton 2020 residence actually generates enough energy to support the needs of the entire 3,200-square-foot-home – and gives some back to the grid. Even better, the homeowners can relax in the lap of luxury, enjoying all the benefits of a fully-automated smart home, which also happens to be one of the greenest homes in the world.

Old Meets New: How an Old Lighting Control System Evolved to a Complete Control4 Automation System

May 13, 2014

In my last article, "Smart Moms Need Smart Homes," I wrote about moms and their vital importance in helping to embrace and define technology in the home to make things easier for the family. As a mom myself, and someone who does this for my own home, I can tell you how empowering it is to have more control in the home. Power I do not need to exert...I simply push a button!

Smart Moms Need Smart Homes

May 9, 2014

Perhaps you've seen the latest "gotcha video", created for American Greetings, that has gone viral around the Internet. It's about a company called Rehtom Inc. that is looking for a job candidate to fill their position, Director of Operations. Here are the main responsibilities listed on the job description…

The Integrated Home

May 1, 2014

We’re often approached by customers who already have a sophisticated system in place, but would love to embrace the newest technology and integrate it into their homes. With the expertise of a custom installer, we’re able to integrate new technology while keeping components of the already existing system. Not only does the customer have the comfort of not having to replace all of their individual components, they also get the simplicity of using the newest technology in their home.

Protect and Serve: Automation and Security Are the Perfect Pairing For Many Households

April 16, 2014

See how a family-focused automation system provides peace of mind and simplicity of lifestyle in this featured project spotlight: Whole Home Automation—All in the Family.

Tech’s in the Mail: The Top Five Smart Gadgets to Get With Your Tax Refund

April 15, 2014

“In this modern world,” Benjamin Franklin might have said were he alive today, “nothing is certain but tech and taxes.” Indeed, technology helps us figure, file, and - grudgingly - pay our taxes. But technology can make getting a refund quicker and easier, too. If you’re expecting a refund, you might be tempted to use that extra cash to buy a newer model smartphone or tablet. (Yawn…) Here’s a better idea. Rather than swapping one perfectly good device for another slightly newer one, make a genuine upgrade in your life by replacing some of the dumb items in your home with smart devices that’ll make your home more convenient, more comfortable, and more fun to live in. Here’s a quick rundown of five of the top smart-tech home improvements you should consider buying with your tax refund (or any other money, for that matter).

Lighting—An Important Component to a Home Theater Experience

April 1, 2014

A home theater conjures thoughts of a dark, secluded space where the screen is the only bright object in the room. While movies always look best in the dark, lights can still play a dramatic role in the performance of your home theater. Lighting that fades out at showtime is only the start of what’s possible when you tie the fixtures to a professionally installed and customized home automation system.

The Ultimate Innovative Smart Home

March 19, 2014

When I imagine my dream house, it not only has an amazing gourmet kitchen, a lovely patio and backyard retreat to escape to, plenty of room for my kids and all their stuff, a personal gym, room for all of my husband’s “toys,” and of course showroom quality furnishings, fixtures and flooring. But it also has to have the latest technology and smart home features to really fit my definition of “dream living.”

Sci-Fi Technology Has Become a Reality

March 13, 2014

It is now 2014 and there are still no flying cars. However, many technologies that were previously only found in science fiction have now become science fact. Amazon's revelation of its proposed Prime Air delivery drone is just the latest futuristic technology that could soon become commonplace. Some of these products are still in development but many, like the Apple iPad, have become smart-household items. Here are just a few of the remarkable technologies that were first featured in sci-fi but are now for real.

Fully Automated in Fort Wayne

March 4, 2014

Feast your eyes on this gorgeous new condo in Fort Wayne, Indiana; it’s hard to imagine anyone ever wanting to leave it. In addition to its pristine-yet-inviting modern design and breathtaking skyline view, it’s an absolute technological wonderland, packed with the latest in luxury AV solutions, like a 65-inch XBR-65X900A 4K Ultra HD display and FMP-X1 Media Player from Sony, a 7.1-channel Focal Electra 1000 Be surround sound system, and a Dish Network Hopper with Sling Whole Home DVR...

Gotcha!

February 28, 2014

There are a lot of things I love about my Control4 system. The whole-house audio system which pipes rock in the backyard while I’m barbecuing, watching multiple basketball games on the TVs in my den like I’m in my very own sports bar, using one button to turn off all the lights my kids seem physically incapable of shutting off when the leave the house, and so on. But last night, I had one more reason to love my smart home...

Interior Designers and Home Builders Increasingly Rely on Technology Integrators

February 26, 2014

...This trend has shifted, as home automation becomes more desirable to families rather than an expensive luxury. Interior designers and builders are increasingly turning to professional smart home integrators to help them design and build smart home technology solutions for their customers. According to a recent Better Homes & Gardens real estate survey, “When it comes to the next generation of homeowners, more than half (56%) of Millennials believe home technology capabilities are more important than ‘curb appeal’.”

Why Control4 Is A Great Home Automation Solution for Builders

February 6, 2014

My clientele is increasingly becoming more and more tech dependent. The younger customers have grown up with technology and they expect it to be part of their lives no matter where they are. And, of course, the popularity of mobile devices that can control virtually everything has led them to the question, “Why shouldn’t I be able to control everything in my home too?” The ability to connect to and control the devices in a home has become an essential feature, for homes today and homes of the future, in order to maximize efficiency and entertainment.

Ultimate Broncos Fan Cave

January 28, 2014

We’d start with an HC800 to power the Fan Cave and the rest of the house. We’d have a Control4 video switch powering the 16 video zones in the home, including 3 outdoor TVs since the Colorado weather is so much better than Seattle. A Control4 audio matrix switch would power the 24 audio zones so that the game can be on everywhere in the house.

Ultimate Seahawks Fan Cave

January 28, 2014

My ideal "Fan Cave" would have a Control4 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switch to control the eight displays in the room. For control it would have a 7" portable touch screen remote, with a HC-800 doing the paddling. It would include an in-wall Control4 Keypad, with blue and bright green back-lit LED buttons—since blue and green is a much more desirable combination than blue and orange.

Christmas is Coming, the House is Getting Smart: Sweet Gadgets to Buy a Technology Lover

December 20, 2013

In a previous article, Jim Arnold referenced smart lighting in the home with Control4, and it got me thinking about other smart home devices that would make unique Christmas presents. Here are some fun, and practical, smart home gadgets that a tech-savvy person would love. But before you add more smart devices to your home, make sure you have the Internet bandwidth to support them. With so many devices vying for an Internet connection, your other web-enabled devices might suffer from latency.

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