TechMark Global

I recently started working with a company that designs and builds "residential" electronics. Those that help us conserve energy, improve our health and safety, or just plain helps us indulge in some high-end home comfort. In these tough economic times, cocooning is back in style and it seems that those that can afford it are investing in their own caves.

Anyway, off I went this weekend to the New England Home Show in Boston to educate myself on digital home paraphernalia. I was impressed to see the wide range of electronically-driven goodies that can now occupy our lives. Here is a llist of "stuff" that comes with a RF remote or that uses a digital embedded controller (my new, customer-driven interest), as seen at the show:

Inside the house:

• Of course the good old programmable HVAC controllers
• Fireplaces (gas and electric). No wood required
• Massage chairs that replace that guy that jumps on your back
• Split bed with "his and hers personal adjustments"
• Hot tubs where you can do your laps (cross-bathing swim spa) or recapture your crew days with the rowing option
• Window and door screens remotely operated. Open and shut all those screen windows in one shot
• Do the same with the shades
• Of course, open the house doors through a small touchpad
• Control the mood lighting and the music.

And outside

• Keep your driveway nice and snow-free with an embedded snow melting system
• Control the pathway lights
• Program the irrigation
• Get the perfect mood with the external fireplace going
• Listen to your favorite tunes on those external wireless speakers

With all these remotes, I'm starting to like the HomeLogic integration scheme where all these devices are controlled from my IPod!