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Toys Article - February 2000 - [HTI Home Page] |
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If you are among the many whom are waiting for a clear answer as to when the traditional network and home automation are going to converge, wait no longer. In these early days there are many compelling reasons to jump in. |
Dave Hill is the Vice President of Business Development at Panja, Inc., with a primary responsibility for creating strategic partnerships. He joined Panja six years ago as Sales Manager of Synergy's Educational Software Division. He was promoted to President of AudioEase, a multi-room residential media distribution company acquired in 1996. After the merging of this division into PHAST, Dave helped create P3, the Panja Partners Program, a strategic alliance with many of the world's most innovative, cutting-edge companies. P3 has a growing membership of partners in a variety of categories, and has been recognized as a "major cause for the rapid expansion of the home automation industry"(Parks Associates). |
It's hard not to notice that there are a growing number of bodies that are working towards the goal of providing enhanced connectivity in our homes. From individual manufacturers, trade groups, seminar promoters and standards bodies we continue to hear about how we are going to be a part of the "Connected Family™" to borrow a phrase from the folks at GTE. Will the concept of connecting our multiple PC's and printers spill over into automation of our homes bringing the Jetson's lifestyle to our every day lives? Several industry groups are indicating that is just what is going to happen.
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On a recent trip to Silicon Valley I was given the opportunity to preview the future of network software that provides an on screen animated figure which responds to spoken voice and takes action on behalf of the user. While speech control has been around for several years, the added impact of an interactive helpmate running an existing boardroom automation system was astounding. While the computational horsepower used in the demo exceeds that of anything I have in my home at the moment, it was a clear indication that the internet, home networking and automation are all on the same wavelength. For your own preview of this innovative technology click on http://www.fxpal.xerox.com/SmartSpaces/ConversationalCharacters/Pages/hedpedwithshot.htm .
While the above examples are in the future, other examples of the blurring line between networking and home automation are on the market today. A visit to the X-10.com web site reveals products that allow us to transport audio and video from both computers and traditional A/V devices using wireless connectivity. A company called Qubit ( www.qubit.net ) has transformed the stationary computer located in a corner to a tablet that can roam the home. Panja's ™ internet information appliance, Sony's advanced Play Station™, new and improved WebTV™ and advancing set top boxes with the horsepower of a desktop computer are all on sale today or will be by early this year.
If
you are among the many whom are waiting for a clear answer as to when the
traditional network and home automation are going to converge, wait no longer.
In these early days there are many compelling reasons to jump in. From existing
connectivity of your present investment in computer hardware using easy to
install HomePNA devices to the innovative Panja Products ( www.panja.com
) which bring information, entertainment and control together… the time has
come.
