Category Archives: News

Media, News

SmartGlass: Microsoft’s War for the Living Room

Microsoft’s SmartGlass promises to unite all screens in the house (including mobile devices) via the Xbox. Microsoft plans to turn the Xbox 360 into more than a games console/online media player, with a strategy clearly aimed at usurping Apple’s AirPlay strategy in the home.
Xbox SmartGlass is a Wi-Fi remote app that allows users to control both video and game content with tablets or smartphones, using the Xbox 360 console as a player. Shown at the recent E3, the app also acts as a second screen — showing extra video content related to the content on screen. (One interesting E3 demo uses HBO TV series Game of Thrones, with an interactive map on the tablet while the console plays an episode.)
The app will be available for both iDevices and Androids, as well as (obviously) Windows 8 tablets/laptops and Windows Phone.
According to Microsoft, more American customers are using the console to consume media through Xbox Live apps for services such as Netflix and Hulu than playing online video games, for which the console was originally designed.
Apps, Home Automation, News, Savant

Savant’s award winning interface, TrueControl, is now available for Mac

Offer your clients something truly unique. Now you can transform any Mac computer into a Savant user interface – including the MacBook®, MacBook Air®, MacBook Pro®, and iMac®. Now you can deliver your clients control from any Mac computer, whether in their home, office or around-the-world.

 With TrueControl for Mac you can offer…

  • A Savant automation and control user interface from the desktop of Mac OS® X, allowing you to enhance existing systems to add more control in more places, or use any Mac as a main control interface to provide a complete control solution without an iOS device.
  • Control of lights, climate, music and more all from a familiar layout. Savant TrueControl for Mac will display an identical layout to a client’s iOS devices, allowing for minimal training and maintenance.
  • Additional control points and system monitoring ideal for control from the home office, professor’s computer, or reception desk.
Download is $99 from Mac App Store. Visit the Savant Portals for training and more information on how to implement TrueControl for Mac today.
Home Automation, News, Savant

SAVANT® to Exhibit Apple-based Home Control, Automation and Audio/Video Package at IBS 2012

Savant makes IBS debut within energy efficient NextGen Home Experience®

Hyannis, MA. January 28th, 2012–Savant Systems LLC, having delivered the first Apple®-based home automation andcommercial control system, has announced that the company will be showcasing a control, automation and media system at IBS 2012 in Orlando based upon Savant’s scalable SmartMedia solution that is targeted to a broad consumer market segment. In addition to controlling lighting, climate, security cameras and more, the versatile SmartMedia controller will be configured to demonstrate multi-zone audio and video distribution throughout the NextGen home. Savant’s revolutionary SmartEnergy solutionwill also be on display, measuring energy usage and production in real-time while empowering homeowners with critical information they can use to increase efficiency. The NAHB IBS Show is February 8-11 at the Orange County Convention Center.

“Savant is excited for the opportunity to demonstrate a powerful Apple-based whole-home control and automation package at IBS 2012,” reported Savant’s General Manager of Residential Business, Jim Carroll. “Savant has revolutionized the control and automation category by eliminating the complex and laborious programming regimen associated with legacy systems,” Carroll added. “We will be exhibiting systems for new construction as well as non-invasive wireless solutions for the retrofit market and our newest user interfaces, including the Savant Select remote and our TrueControl™ apps for iPad®, iPhone® and iPod touch® integration. In addition to the core functionality of the SmartMedia system, we will also be showcasing the customizable and expandable nature of our product line,” Carroll concluded.

See Savant Technology in Action within the NextGen Home at IBS 2012, West Lot 1, Booth P2

SmartEnergy Monitor: Savant’s SmartEnergy technology, which will be operational and on display within the NextGen home, measures both energy usage and production in real-time while delivering historical usage data from multiple energy management devices. SmartEnergy Monitor empowers homeowners with critical information and the capacity to improve overall efficiency while maintaining their preferred lifestyle. Once installed, users can monitor every aspect of electricity usage, from appliances to heating and lighting. Energy usage and/or production data can be viewed from home or remotely using an iPad.

Savant Select:: From simple source control to complete two-way whole-home automation, the Savant Select seamlessly merges the familiar functionality of Apple’s® latest iPod touch® with easy-to-use push buttons, creating a sleek yet powerful home control interface. Supporting Savant’s TrueControl iPod touch App and TrueCommand On-TV navigation, this powerful smart remote delivers the perfect balance of backlit pushbuttons and a 3.5-inch color touch screen.

TrueCommand On-TV control: Savant’s TrueCommand technology provides one of the most advanced and visually engaging way to navigate, browse, and select diverse services and multimedia content by boldly presenting attractive icons on any high definition TV. TrueCommand enables complete control of all home systems without the need to interrupt your audio or video programming. While watching your favorite movie, use a Savant home control remote to easily adjust the temperature, dim the lights, check security cameras, obtain weather updates and more.

TrueImage Control™: Savant’s TrueImage Control technology provides an innovative interface that allows you to touch actual images of Smart Home products to initiate commands. Simply touch the image of the actual light in the room you wish to control, and not only does the light in the room turn on/off or dim when pressed and held, but it also illuminates on the iPad confirming the command.

Savant Sound: Complimenting the SmartMedia multi-room A/V control system, Savant’s impressive array of architectural loudspeakers and 16-channel digital amplifier will be utilized to fill the NextGen home with great sound throughout three independent zones. Full control of the distributed audio system will be demonstrated on the iPad and Savant Select remote.

About Savant

Savant Systems, a 21st century company, designs, develops and manufactures a complete suite of integrated solutions that has defined the modern age of home and commercial automation. Savant’s Apple-based platform cohesively addresses control, audio/video, telephony, digital display, energy management and the media integration needs of today’s most advanced environments. Through its relationship with Apple®, Savant has leveraged the familiarity and intuitive nature of the iPad® and iOS family of devices to address the control and automation needs of today’s consumers. Unlike competitive
solutions, Savant’s revolutionary Blueprint™ software platform enables the rapid configuration of systems without the need for low-level programming. Through ongoing innovation, Savant continues to define the future of control and automation for
residential and commercial applications. www.savantsystems.com

Home Automation, News, Savant

Savant delivers the first iTunes Match-compatible integrated control and multi-room audio solution

Hyannis, MA. January 6th – Savant Systems LLC, having delivered the first Apple®-based home automation and commercial control system, has announced iTunes Match℠ compatibility for Savant SmartSystem controllers, making media storage ubiquitous and user-friendly to the highest degree.

iTunes Match is a subscription service available from Apple that, via compatibility with the Savant environment, enables users to automatically sync music and playlists between their home computer, any compatible iOS devices and their Savant system. This means that both transfer and access of music files has been made dramatically easier, including music purchased from iTunes®, CD’s Imported from a personal collection, or purchased from another online service. Subscribers will benefit from a seamless interface —playlists from computers or iOS devices will automatically sync to iCloud®, making their music library available to them at multiple residences and eliminating the chore of manually updating your collection in each location.

“As Savant continues to be at the forefront of Apple integration, iTunes Match compatibility is great news for our customers because it offers the ultimate in convenience and efficiency when creating and accessing your music collection,” commented Savant CEO Robert Madonna. “Think about it — any song uploaded to your iTunes account from any registered device at home, your secondary residence or on the go will automatically be added to your Savant multi-room audio/video library and will be available to play throughout your home,” Madonna added. Compatible music formats includes AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless, and more. iTunes Match also supports up to 10 devices — including your computer, iPhone®, iPod touch®, iPad®, and Apple TV®. These devices will all sync automatically, locating new playlists or songs as needed.

About Savant

Savant Systems, a 21st century company, designs, develops and manufactures a complete suite of integrated solutions that has defined the modern age of home and commercial automation. Savant’s Apple-based platform cohesively addresses control, audio/video, telephony, digital display, energy management and the media integration needs of today’s most advanced environments. Through its relationship with Apple®, Savant has leveraged the familiarity and intuitive nature of the iPad® and iOS family of devices to address the control and automation needs of today’s consumers. Unlike competitive
solutions, Savant’s revolutionary Blueprint™ software platform enables the rapid configuration of systems without the need for low-level programming. Through ongoing innovation, Savant continues to define the future of control and automation for residential and commercial applications. www.savantsystems.com

Apple, News

New iPad Tops Three Million

 CUPERTINO, California―March 19, 2012―Apple® today announced it has sold three million of its incredible new iPad®, since its launch on Friday, March 16. The new iPad features a stunning new Retina™ display, Apple’s new A5X chip with quad-core graphics, a 5 megapixel iSight® camera with advanced optics for capturing amazing photos and 1080p HD video, and still delivers the same all-day 10 hour battery life* while remaining amazingly thin and light. iPad Wi-Fi + 4G supports ultrafast 4G LTE networks in the US and Canada, and fast networks around the world including those based on HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA.**

“The new iPad is a blockbuster with three million sold―the strongest iPad launch yet,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Customers are loving the incredible new features of iPad, including the stunning Retina display, and we can’t wait to get it into the hands of even more customers around the world this Friday.”

The new iPad is already available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Switzerland, UK and the US Virgin Islands and will be available in 24 more countries starting at 8:00 a.m. local time on Friday, March 23 through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The new iPad Wi-Fi models are available in black or white for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad Wi-Fi + 4G for either AT&T or Verizon is available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad is sold in the US through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. Additionally, the incredible iPad 2 is now offered at a more affordable price of $399 (US) for the 16GB Wi-Fi model and just $529 (US) for the 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G model.

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

**4G LTE is supported only on AT&T and Verizon networks in the U.S. and on Bell, Rogers, and Telus networks in Canada. Data plans sold separately.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

Apple, News

Apple Brings 1080p High Definition to New Apple TV

New Apple TV Features iTunes Movies and TV Shows, Netflix, Photos & More in HD

SAN FRANCISCO—March 7, 2012—Apple® today announced the new Apple TV® featuring 1080p programming including iTunes® movies and TV shows, Netflix, Vimeo, photos and more in HD. With iTunes in the Cloud, customers can purchase and play their favorite movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store® and watch them instantly on their HD TV. The new Apple TV features a simpler, refined user interface making it easier than ever to access your purchased movies, TV shows and music with iTunes Match℠ right from iCloud®. With AirPlay®, users can stream or mirror their favorite content from their iPad® or iPhone® 4S to Apple TV. 

“People are going to love streaming movies and TV shows in 1080p with the new Apple TV, and photos look beautiful displayed at the maximum resolution of your TV,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Apple TV is easier than ever to use with its new icon-based interface and the ability to access your purchased movies, TV shows and music right from iCloud.”

Apple TV users can choose from an incredible selection of programming including over 15,000 movies and over 90,000 TV episodes on the iTunes Store. Apple TV also offers great content from Netflix’s streaming catalog, live sports from MLB, NBA and NHL as well as Internet content from Vimeo, YouTube and Flickr.* 

With iCloud, you can buy movies and TV shows on Apple TV and watch them on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch®, Mac® or PC. iCloud also stores photos and pushes them wirelessly to all your devices including your HD TV via Apple TV. iCloud provides an incredibly easy way to get instant access to all of your content, no matter which device is being used. 

iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users can use AirPlay to stream music, photos and videos from their devices directly to their HD TV with Apple TV. iPhone 4S or iPad users can use AirPlay Mirroring to show the screen of their device right on their HD TV, allowing them to stream web pages, spreadsheets or even games.** 

Apple TV makes it easy to enjoy iTunes video, music and photo libraries from your computer right on your HD TV—and with iCloud you can instantly enjoy content that was purchased on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch as well. iTunes Match customers can now play their entire music library from iCloud—even songs they’ve imported from CDs.