Home Automation

Even before the recent Star Trek reboot, we were always fascinated by the technology from that science fiction franchise. It wasn’t just the warp drives, food synthesizers, and transporters, but something all too simple: self-opening doors.

Yes, for some reason, the United Federation of Planets outlawed the doorknob sometime before the 23rd century, and all doors must open with an odd swish sound effect, provided the user is in close proximity.

This is very similar to the Blueguard, which is able to open your garage door when you get 33 feet of it. It uses Bluetooth wireless technology on your cellular phone to detect when you are close. It has the capacity to obtain a signal from 10 cellular phones.

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This is one of the more ingenious home improvement ideas that we’ve come across so far - the Kohler Flipside Showerhead. It offers unprecedented value for money, considering your $105 is stretched to bring you four showers in one. This handheld sprayer will come in a chrome-like finish, featuring a flippable inner sprayhead that offers the following shower experiences — a relaxing dense downpour, a focused, invigorating spray, a drenching, circular-pattern spray, or a standard, traditional shower. Perfect to suit a multiple-personality person in your home or at least four heads living under the same roof.

Product Page via Uncrate

For years, I have been wondering why I can do almost anything with my mobile phone, but when it comes to my television or garage door, I have to resort to another remote control entirely. Why can’t I control everything with a mobile like my BlackBerry? This is the question that Unify4Life is answering with two new devices: the AV|Shadow and the Garage|Shadow.

The AV|Shadow allows for switching channels, selecting chapters for a DVD, and even allows for adjusting the volume on the user’s audio receiver. It uses Bluetooth Technology, so the user doesn’t have to point at the screen or any other video device.

The user can customize their own settings, and the interface is set up in a circular pattern, perfect for the BlackBerry Trackball. The AV|Shadow is set up for TV, Satellite, Cable, Apple TV, TiVo, DVD, DVR/PVR, VCR, Blu-Ray, iPod, Mircosoft Media Center, even gaming consoles like the PS3.

The AV|Shadow is enough inspiration for any company, but Unify4Life also has another useful application called the Garage|Shadow. This device turns a BlackBerry into a garage door opener. It is easy to install and use, and now the user doesn’t have to worry about losing their RF remotes any more.

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Here’s another option for those of you on the lookout for cheap home security while you’re away on vacation.  It’s of course never going to be as good as a security system that’s installed into your home, however, it’ll at least help.  This little box when flipped on simulates the flickering glow of a television.  Which in most situations would be enough that burglars would move onto the next home.  Since the path of least resistance is ideal, they’re not going to want to go into a home where someone is already home.

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If you have a tendency to forget to turn on the lights and sit in the dark, you might need a gadget to help you remember to turn on those pesky high maintenance lights.  I say that jokingly, but I actually know people that just flat out don’t want to get up to turn on the light.  This gadget will make your light kick on at the exact moment the sun starts to set.  Which means you’ll never have to deal with the dark again.  Granted you could just get up and turn on the light, but where’s the fun in that?

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I have to admit, when I first heard the word “Lutron”, I thought it was referring to a Robot who could separate into other robots or vehicles. Oh wait, that’s Voltron! Lutron is a lighting company that has been around since the 60’s, and they developed the dimmer switch around that time.

Lutron has updated their services by offering a lighting system that is controlled by an iPhone or even an iPod Touch. It works by simply screwing wireless modules into the lamps themselves, and then you can take control.

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I realize that most people have their garage door openers conveniently clipped to their visor, but I don’t see why we can’t just open our doors with a cellular phone or other MID (Mobile Internet Device).

This is one of the uses for the Schlage LiNK, a system of locks and deadbolts that can be unlocked using a cellular phone or Internet connection. All a user needs to do is enter in a 4-digit access code on their device, and wireless Z-Wave technology unlocks and opens the pre-programmed doors.

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The Flamingo Away is definitely a much different garden decoration compared to the usual gnomes and what not. These speak out their mind in an alternative manner, never mind if you don’t have a pond for the pink flamingo to land on.

The Gnome-Be-Gone’s aren’t just interested in getting rid of gnomes in your garden. They’ll also weed out any flamingos that might be hanging around too. Includes 2 Gnome-Be-Gones and 1 resin pink flamingo. Handmade using recycled components by uber artist Fred Conlon. Fred’s amazingly fun, funky, and always very unique art, has appeared in art galleries, festivals and shows across the country. Measures approximately 24″ long x 16″ wide. Metal will acquire a rust patina finish with outdoor use.

Pretty pricey outdoor decorations to have IMHO. You will need to fork out $124.99 for this.