Digital Home Thoughts: Turning That Digital Home Into a Smart Home

"But there are certainly things in my apartment that could be smarter. And so, after a talk with a representative of the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association, I consult the group’s Web site (cedia.net) to find a local expert. I am curious about what is available at three price points: $2,500 or less, $7,500 and You Just Won the Lottery."

One of the claims of technological advance is that it is supposed to make things easier. While that can be argued, I think that it is quite interesting that home automation has progressed at a glacial pace and is guaranteed to lighten your wallet. A lot of movement can be seen with the UPnP and DLNA standards, but that deals more with streaming media and photos. A lot of home automation, like a remotely controlled and programmable thermostat, motion controlled lights and a web accessible security system is not commonly seen. I started with my home automation experiments back in the days of X10. Their modules were large, but useful, though I cannot say that there was much that made them "smart". I check the technology today and while there are new standards, I still feel as if a lot of polish needs to be done. Sure, there are some options that offer a smoother experience where everything fits together like an Armani, but it is also priced like one too. I guess that the everyman will still have to wait until someone decides that home automation can be cheap, easy and popular. Until then, I will curse every time I have to get up and turn off the light.