Verizon Smart Energy Home
Posted by Steve Fravel on Sunday, January 29, 2012 · 
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With little fanfare, Verizon launched its smart home products. The product allows customers nationwide to remotely lock and unlock doors and windows, manage thermostats and lights, and monitor video cameras.
According to Verizon Director of Product Development, Home Monitoring and Control Ann Shaub, most customers opt-in to the complete smart home package that includes door sensors, door locks and cameras, along with the energy package.
While Verizon doesn’t claim that use of the energy control package will save money or energy, it is clear that for most customers the added advantage is the level of security and media management the complete package performs, according to Shaub.
According to Verizon, approximately 95% of smart home customers install their own devices, although Verizon continues to work with Ingersoll-Rand for security systems and Aeon Labs for energy and thermostats.
Verizon Invests in Home Automation
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, September 13, 2010 · ·
As you all know, the New Edge has been closely following developments in the smart grid marketplace. Under a related news item, Verizon has invested an undisclosed amount in 4Home, a provider of connected home services including energy management, home security and monitoring, media management and home health. The telecom company sees future value in the connected home of the future, where all appliances will be controlled remotely.
Verizon Investments, part of the Verizon Venture Group, participated in 4Home’s Series-B round of financing which closed back in the first quarter and raised a total of $6.8 million. Read more
Location-Based Thermostat Management
Posted by Kevin McGuire on Saturday, July 17, 2010 · ·
There’s been quite a bit of buzz about the Smart Grid recently (look for a New Edge series on Smart Grid coming in a few weeks), but I’ve often wondered how consumers will benefit. Allure Energy has finally opened my eyes to what is possible with a smart home system.
Imagine this: once you leave your house in the morning, your smartphone sends location information back to your thermostat allowing the temperature to increase. As you are on your way home, the closer you get, the closer to normal your thermostat is set — thereby ensuring you have a nice, cool home when you arrive. Sounds like science fiction, right? Wrong… Read more
Live From CES
Posted by Kevin McGuire on Sunday, January 10, 2010 · (2) ·
I had the opportunity to attend CES this year, along with about 110,000 other people. I’ll say that it gives me a new appreciation for NTCA events where things are much more intimate. The sea of people was overwhelming at times, and I heard a rumor that there was over 40 acres of booth space.
While there I got to see some great technology and some massive booths (Microsoft’s seemed larger than NTCA’s offices), but as the show draws to a close today, I must say that I will leave Las Vegas a little underwhelmed. Sure there were some cool things, but nothing that was revolutionary in my opinion. If you were there, please leave a comment telling of your experience.
While it is only my opinion that there weren’t any game changers, I’ll offer my thoughts on 5 things that may have an impact on our industry and let you be the judge. Read more
ABI Predicts Boom in Home Automation
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, December 7, 2009 · ·
In North America, which represents the lion’s share of the global market for managed home automation, more than one million systems are expected to be installed in 2012. That figure — which represents a tripling of the 2008 market — is forecast to nearly double again in 2014.
One significant element of managed home automation packages is security. Indeed, telcos and cable broadband service providers are entering the market for managed home monitoring and automation services.
“Managed home security usually represents good value for the consumer,” said ABI Research practice director Sam Lucero. “It’s something of a ‘plain vanilla’ offering, but it is packaged by the service provider in a way that is relatively easy to deliver.” Read more
VOTW: Wireless Home Networking
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, July 6, 2009 · ·
And, last but not least, our tech VOTW, sponsored by ViodiTV.
Have you recently seen a funny, entertaining or informational video? The New Edge would love to hear from you. Please send your suggestions for the next video of the week (VOTW) to jward@ntca.org and your video might be featured in an upcoming issue.