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Coming Soon: ZigBee Control by PDA

Posted by timothy on from the wireless-torchiere-is-a-zigbee-pole dept.

palmtops writes "The new ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4) wireless protocol designed for home automation is getting a lot of exposure lately and got some more exciting news today. Wired Home Weblog has a brief mention and press release about the first ZigBee SDIO card that allows your home to be controlled by your PDA. The card was introduced by C-Guys at Cebit today and will definitely add a whole new dimension to home automation."

9 of 77 comments (clear)

  1. For great justice! by PopeAlien · · Score: 4, Funny

    ..oh nevermind..

    --
    air and light and time and space
  2. All this needs by mattmentecky · · Score: 5, Funny

    All this home automation protcol needs are two things: 1. To branch out into wireless video cameras 2. Launch a massive popup ad campaign featuring hot models

  3. Ideal for parents! by Faust7 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Parents out of the house...

    *Beep, beep, beep!*

    ALERT: Security cameras have determined that your daughter has invited friends in for alcohol and sex. Would you like to:

    (a) Shut off the electricity
    (b) Lock the doors to keep out further visitors
    (c) Place the burglar alarm into continuous operation
    (d) Start the custom "Scream" apparatus to spur an evacuation?

    --
    The coolest voice ever.
    1. Re:Ideal for parents! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      (e) Steam the video at $9.95 per minute?

  4. Controll? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Could it be that the GNAA have teamed up with the IEEE to produce some kind of wireless trolling standard?

  5. Neighbor's music by Gyorg_Lavode · · Score: 4, Funny
    So now I can shut off my neighbor's music from the privacy of my own home?

    (notice: did not RTFA)

    --
    I do security
  6. Zigbee != IEEE 802.15.4 by Russ+Nelson · · Score: 4, Informative

    Zigbee are proprietary layers added to IEEE 802.15.4. They aren't the same thing. Zigbee is NOT an open protocol.
    -russ

    --
    Don't piss off The Angry Economist
  7. 802.15.4 Protocol by Spellunk · · Score: 5, Informative
    As for saying the ZigBee is for static networks: that is 100% wrong.

    ZigBee's main purpose is to create self-assembling, autonomous networks.

    This means that well written firmware will enable a tech with no education to just replace nodes if something goes wrong, versus having to understand anything about networking.

    My job is in the development of ZigBee networks and I have worked with these devices for about a year now.

    The main purpose of the ZigBee standard is to develop low-cost deivces that operate, assemble, and route messages with no human intervention. The latest chips cost less than two dollars, meaning a whole node can be designed for much less than $10.

    --
    Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur.
  8. Zigee by wpiman · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I run a program called Homeseer which allows you to control various devices in your house via X10, relay control, Zwave-- you name it.

    It is Windows base- so mod me down away. If you are a Linux fan and a PERL expert- Mister House has a big following.

    Homeseer has a web interface- so control of these devices via a pocket pc is possible now. There are plans for Zigbee control in the future as well.

    I think HS has the correct paradigm- a central PC controlling the house. Certainly you need to keep it on- but adding a $100 card to every machine you want to control devices seems silly when anything with wifi can do the job- and will allow you to read slashdot as well.

    And yes- my garage door can be opened up via my webpage. No- you can't have the link.