iControl Networks Acquires Piper, a Wi-Fi -enabled, Z-Wave Standard All-in-One Home Awareness and Security Management Solution

Piper, the Compact, All-in-One Home Awareness and Management Device Now Enables Live Interaction and Integrated Security Functionality for a Total Home View

By Robert Hoskins

Ottawa, Ontario – iControl Networks, a leader in connected home technology and innovation, announced the availability of two enhancements to the Piper all-in-one home awareness and management device: two-way audio and multi-Piper capability, which provides the ability to support more than one unit and create multiple security zones.

Piper, the Compact, All-in-One Home Awareness and Management Device Now Enables Live Interaction and Integrated Security Functionality for a Total Home View

Piper, the compact, Wi-Fi-enabled, all-in-one home awareness and management device that launched general availability in North America in late January 2014 and was recently acquired by iControl Networks, enables users to seamlessly monitor what’s important in their life from their mobile device, all without service contracts or fees.

With multi-Piper capability, users will be able to create independent security zones using up to five Pipers within their homes. Each Piper operates as an independent sentinel and joins together to form an integrated security network. Seamless Z-Wave integration allows for complete home awareness and automation control. Shared environmental and motion sensor data, camera views and recorded videos provide the ability to track changes and movement through each zone.

Simple to use, two-way audio provides users with the ability to directly interact via Piper app’s camera view with occupants, elderly parents, children and even pets.

“The ability to simply and easily interact with and secure your entire home — not just one room — when you’re away has been a priority of ours since we first developed Piper,” said Russell Ure, creator of Piper and Executive Vice President and GM of iControl’s Canadian business unit. “We’re excited to offer an enhanced experience to our current and future customers.”

Piper has been recognized for its excellence in innovative design and engineering and originally debuted its crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo in August 2013, where it successfully tripled its funding efforts. Allowing users to easily monitor, secure and interact with their homes through Z-Wave home automation accessories, Piper continues to receive support and praise from homeowners, apartment renters, parents, pet owners and design enthusiasts alike.

Piper features include:

• Security – Customize three security modes (home, away and vacation), motion detector and piercing, 105-decibel siren.
• Automation – Integrate Z-Wave accessories into Piper’s security modes, control them remotely, on a schedule, or using environmental data.
• HD Panoramic camera – 180° fisheye lens, electronic pan, tilt, and zoom, 1080p camera sensor.
• Customized alerts – Phone call, text message, email and push notifications to alert users and their trusted circle when security rules are triggered.
• Environmental sensors – Monitor and control home temperature, humidity, ambient light and sound.
• Elegant design – Simple, intuitive app. Compact, two-toned form with brushed metal legs.
• Smart hardware – ARM processor, battery backup, internal memory for video storage, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi.
• Free cloud storage – Cloud infrastructure provides Piper a place to store event videos, send various types of notifications and perform additional login/connection negotiation.
• Android & iOS support – Available on Android and iOS smartphones and tablets.
• NEW Two-way audio – Talk directly to occupants through Piper and app on mobile device.

Two-way audio and multi-Piper capability will be available as a free firmware and software update. The Piper House Kit, which comes with three units in either black or white, can be purchased at http://store.getpiper.com for $649 USD. Piper can also be purchased by itself for $239 or bundled with Z-Wave home automation accessories such as smart switches and door/window sensors that allow consumers to control their homes remotely, ranging from $359 to $849 USD.

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Life-Spot Kickstarter Crowdfunding Campaign Unveils Universal Gadget Charging Tower

By Robert Hoskins

In today’s world of  iPhones, Androids, Tablets, Kindles and other electronic devices that need to be charged, many kitchen counter tops resemble a a plate of spaghetti.  But with a little luck and plenty of Kickstarter donors, Life-Spot plants to roll out a  highly efficient and universal, multi-unit gadget charging station for the home, office and business.

Life-Spot Universal Charging Station for Household Gadgets

With a beautiful, triangular design, Life-Spot allows users to charge up to eight devices at once and each of its storage compartments has a unique, retractable adapter that serves to connect devices easily and safely while keeping the area organized and clutter-free.

With two lightning ports, two 30pin dock connectors and four micro USB ports, Life-Spot can charge anything from phones to tablets, e-readers, iPods, cameras, headsets and other Bluetooth devices, GPS systems, battery packs and more. Life-Spot can also be sat on a table, desk, countertop or even mounted on a wall.

Judith and Aaron Altheim, creators of Life-Spot, came up with the idea while hosting their daughter’s birthday party at their house, and found they were surprised about the number of people asking to borrow a phone charger. However, Judith and Aaron only had two chargers which were not compatible with their cell phone models.

“As a married couple, we’ve been working on this project for two years,” says Altheim. “From the first sketch to the functional prototype, we spent hours and hours to ensure the best quality, most efficient and practical product.”

In order for Judith and Aaron Altheim, creators of Life-Spot, to bring the product to market, they need to raise $50,000 to cover the costs of manufacturing the charging station. The married couple is currently running a crowdfunding campaign on the most popular platform, Kickstarter, in order to raise the necessary funds.

Currently, Life-Spot has raised over $8,000 on Kickstarter, but still needs another $42,000 to make it to production. If you’d like to support this project, visit http://bit.ly/Life-SpotKS to learn more, or make a donation in exchange for one of the first products when it hits the market.