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A Virtual Butler Helps Around the House

Lee Mathews — 2010-04-08T12:00:00 00:00

Ever watched the Jetsons and wished you had a Rosie at your house or apartment? Yeah, me too.

And apparently so did Boston resident Chad Barraford, whose Project Jarvis is pretty darn close to the robotic Girl Friday. Jarvis, however, isn't a robot. He's a sort of virtual butler, built using an old Mac Mini computer.

So what can Jarvis do?

Even without a body, Jarvis has full control over the apartment's lighting and climate controls. He can monitor Barraford's Netflix queue, check the pantry for groceries, watch CNN for breaking news items, track FedEx parcels -- and provide updates on all these things via text message or Twitter. With an attached webcam aimed at the interior of the apartment, Jarvis can even keep an eye on who's coming and going.

Barraford also suffers from migraines, and like any good butler would, Jarvis knows how to respond when his master isn't feeling well. He dutifully dims the lights, sends out emails to those who need to be informed, and updates Chad's Facebook page so friends know why he's inactive.

"That's great," you say, "but Rosie could cook, too." So can Jarvis. With a George Foreman Grill at his disposal, whipping up a quick bratwurst is no problem at all.{video below}

A better question might be what can't Jarvis do?

The really amazing thing is how much Project Jarvis has cost to build: less than $700. With plenty of home automation systems already available on the market for thousands of dollars (remember the one with the crazy remote the Osbournes could never figure out?) this is what makes Jarvis truly remarkable.

Jarvis doesn't need a fancy remote -- you just talk to, Twitter, or text him and and responds like a real butler would. He's the kind of digital assistant and home automation all of us can afford and understand. I can't be bothered with some cumbersome, flashy command center, but I think I could get used to conversing with Jarvis just fine.

I just hope my wife doesn't think I'm insane when she hears me asking the walls if I have any new email in my inbox...

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Hail a Taxi With Your iPhone

Lee Mathews — 2010-04-05T17:30:00 00:00

Filed under: How To

Hailing a cab in New York City is somewhat of a science -- at least, that's what the people behind a new mobile app for your iPhone or Android device believe.

Cabsense could be your new best friend if you're not a fan of flagging down a ride in the Big Apple because we know how incredibly tired your arm becomes from waving down your next ride.

Fire up this handy app and Cabsense pinpoints your location and provides a sort of "taxi compass," pointing you to nearby locations where you're likely to find a taxi.
In addition to the compass view, you can also flip Cabsense to a street map showing all the nearby taxi-hailing hotspots. Locations are given ratings from zero to four stars based on historical and real-time information: the more stars, the more likely you are to find a taxi. You can even plan ahead using the slider view which helps you find, for example, a good spot to head for after your movie lets out.

Cabsense has one more trick up its sleeve to help you hail a cab. As strange as it might sound, you can use the app to whistle. Hey, not everyone can do it, right? It's actually quite a clever and thoughtful feature to include.

You can find Cabsense for the iPhone on the App Store, and in the Android Marketplace for those of you with Googlephones.

Happy trails and happy hailing!

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New Google Shopping Tool Predicts Inventories

Lee Mathews — 2010-03-18T13:00:00 00:00

Just about every major retailer has an online store -- and most can show you whether a particular item is in stock at a local store. Still, wouldn't it be great if there was some dead-simple way to scan store shelves while you're out and about? Say, from your smartphone?

Google thinks so, and they're working a new search feature that can do just that called "In Stock Nearby."

Picture this: you're lunching with a friend who mentions the amazing new light fixtures they picked up at Pottery Barn. Intrigued, you Google for "Gothic Lantern," and Google shows you the nearby retailers that have matching items in stock and the sale price.

Right now, Google only displays results for a handful of stores including Best Buy, Sears, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and West Elm. They're actively seeking more partners, though, so new retailers will appear as Google adds them to the project.

Lucky users in New York can already kick the tires and try out the In Stock Nearby function. My search for "Bose Lifestyle" turned up several stores in the region with the stylish home theater system in stock. That doesn't do me any good yet since I live about 50 hours away from New York -- but at some point in the future everyone will be able to get their virtual search on.

Curious how it all works? Check out Google's demo video (skip forward to the 19 second mark if you're feeling impatient)!

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Unwire Your Home Network

Lee Mathews — 2010-03-09T14:53:00 00:00

Filed under: Design,How To

Today, just about any electronic gadget worth its salt comes with built-in wireless -- and that's a very convenient way to share your Internet connection.

But what about devices like the Xbox 360 or your trusty old Playstation 2? Are you stuck stringing ugly network cables all over your house to get them online since they don't have wifi?

Nope! In fact, you've got two good options for connecting items like these.

One option is to use a wireless bridge like the Asus WL-330gE or Dlink's DWL-G730AP. In simple terms, a wireless bridge takes a cabled connection and translates it into a wireless one -- letting wired-only devices communicate with your router just like they were wifi-capable. Wireless bridges do require some configuring to make them work, which is usually done via software on a CD that's included in the kit.

Sometimes, however, wireless isn't the way to go. Radio interference from other electronics, metal construction, distance, and other factors can all make wifi connections unreliable. Another option is to use powerline networking (also called homeplug) adapters -- which plug into any old electrical outlet.

One homeplug adapter goes near your device, the other goes near your router (as pictured above by D-Link). Plug network cables in at both ends, and you're done. Most powerline adapters don't require you to do any configuration of any kind, so they're a great option for people who don't consider themselves to be technologically savvy.

Stick with name brands when it comes to powerline networking: D-Link's DHP 303 and 301 are both good choices, and Netgear offers a bevvy of different options -- including plugs which allow you to connect more than one device per plug.

A good wireless bridge or powerline networking kit is a great way to avoid unsightly cabling.

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Text Me When the Bus Is Here

Lee Mathews — 2010-02-05T10:08:00 00:00

iPhone and Blackberry owners might have access to all kinds of sexy apps for their phones, but there are millions of people using more run-of-the-mill cell phones. Smart developers like Roadify know that, and they're busy creating clever, useful programs that work on any phone with text messaging abilities.

You may have seen Roadify's previous app ParkingAroundMe (PAM) talked about previously on Housing Watch. In short, ParkingAroundMe is a way for people to find and share available parking spaces via their cell phones. Roadify's newest endeavor -- BusesAroundMe (BAM) -- works the same way and utilizes their StreetCARma philosophy: to receive alerts, you need points. Earning points is as simple as sending in updates via text message or Twitter.To get started, just text "BAM" to 95495 (Roadify's shortcode) and you're good to go. BAM is currently being tested in New York's Park Slope neighborhood using the B67 bus route with other routes to be added based on user voting. To keep other users in the loop, riders can 'give' the B67's current location to 95495 by using the nearest crossing streets. If you're looking for an ETA, Roadify uses that data to text you updates -- so you won't be standing out in the cold or waiting forever for a bus held up in traffic.

Does the give-and-get concept work? Have a look at the map from Roadify's homepage to see what a little CARma can do:

That's a veritable forest of flags, and each one is a parking spot submitted by a Roadify ParkingAroundMe user. It's easy to see the potential for both PAM and BAM -- and both will become even more useful as their popularity grows.

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Home Fencing System Saves You Money

Lee Mathews — 2010-02-02T13:18:00 00:00

Filed under: Design

"Good fences make good neighbors," goes the line from Robert Frost's poem The Mending Wall. In the case of EarthSure's S.A.F.E., a good fence also makes an eco-friendly neighbor.

S.A.F.E. stands for Solar Alternative Functioning Energy, and if you've been contemplating a new fence or adding solar to your home -- or both -- EarthSure's fencing system is worth consideration.

Apart from being manufactured from recycled PVC (yet another eco-friendly feature), the fence sports an integrated solar array. A system of lenses gathers sunlight and feed it to solar panels. The converted electricity is then piped into your home.

After the jump, check out the video that shows the fence at work....While it's sure to set you back a few dollars more than a traditional fence, EarthSure is quick to point out the potential savings. For starters, government subsidies can cover from anywhere from 30-50% of the purchase and installation costs. On top of that, you'll also be eligible for Renewable Energy Credits based on the amount of electricity generated.

Like composite decking systems, the PVC fence should also be nearly maintenance-free -- providing further labor and cost savings. Factor in reduced electricity bills, and it's not hard to see how an S.A.F.E. fence from EarthSure could be a very smart investment both financially and environmentally.

So how much will it cost? CEO Raymond Saluccio told me, "At this time we do not have a definitive price structure because of some of the unknowns not yet quoted on in material costs." He added, "We do know that it is the only fence that has a return on investment."

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Your Home Never Sounded So Good

Lee Mathews — 2010-02-01T17:27:00 00:00

Filed under: Design

Most of you probably have dozens, hundreds, even thousands of MP3 files on your laptop or desktop computer. What you may not have is a hassle-free way to listen to those tunes without having to be parked in front of your system.

Aperion Audio has an fail-proof solution. Their wireless Home Audio Link system is a simple way to pipe music from your computer system to just about anything with speakers. Connect it to your home theater system, a bookshelf stereo, television set, or even that old radio out in the garage. As long as you have a set of red-and-white RCA inputs to plug into, you're good to go.It's quite a bit more versatile than Apple's AirPort Express when it comes to streaming your music. For $20 more, HAL also features a mini stereo jack which allows you to connect any device with a headphone plug like an MP3 player or most smartphones. You're also not locked in to using iTunes -- programs like Windows Media Player and Winamp will work just fine.

As Aperion points out, you can also use HAL to relocate that clunky powered subwoofer of yours somewhere more convenient.

The starter kit includes a send and receive unit, and there's no software to install on your computer. Just plug in your new HALs, press the link button, and enjoy the music. You can also purchase additional receivers should you want to listen in additional locations. It's even possible to transmit surround sound from your computer -- all that's required is a second receive unit.

Aperion's HAL has already received some glowing reviews for its simple setup, versatility, and the high quality of audio output -- three things which are sometimes lacking in similarly priced wireless systems.

One more thing Aperion has going for it is free lifetime tech support. That's a huge bonus for anyone who doesn't trust their technical abilities, and a sure sign that Aperion has confidence in their product's ease-of-use.

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Your Kitchen Gets Geek Chic

Lee Mathews — 2010-01-28T08:55:00 00:00

Filed under: Design

It's hard to imagine now, but there was a time not long ago when people would never have considered their kitchen as an appropriate place for a computer.

Attitudes have changed, though, and connected devices are everywhere. That now includes the kitchen, where you'll find Internet-ready touchscreens on appliances like LG's ultra-modern refrigerator.

But why limit yourself to a tiny, appliance-mounted screen when you can add a full-blown touchscreen Windows computer just about anywhere you've got a bit of extra wall space?

After years of prodding from his wife, a DIYer in New Zealand took the plunge and custom-crafted a 19" in-wall computer complete with an iPhone-inspired interface and Internet access.

The touchscreen provides easy access to a bevy of programs including email, iTunes, Skype, Google Maps -- as well as some more kitchen-friendly ones like a timer, calculator, and kitchen database.

Want to tackle this project yourself? It's actually fairly simple as long as you have a bit of technological know-how and patience -- just have a look at the creator's installation notes and photos and get started!

For those of you who like the idea but would prefer to buy something ready-to-go, take a look at HP's Touchsmart, the Asus ET1602, or the MSI AE2220. Grab a wall mount and your toolbox, and you can have a similar system up and running in less than an hour.

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Skype Invades Your Living Room

Lee Mathews — 2010-01-25T16:35:00 00:00

Filed under: Design

It's not common for the name of a computer program to evolve into a verb. In fact, I can only readily think of only two examples: Photoshop and Skype.

And in Skype's case, the use of their name is going to become a lot more frequent thanks to some new tech introduced at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show.

Skype has provided free voice and video calling for years, offering computer users a way to save on long distance fees and enjoy face time with loved ones with minimal fuss. Now it's time for Skype to break free of the computer -- and it's headed straight to your living room.

Both Panasonic and LG have partnered with Skype to offer voice and video chat on select new HDTV models. Panasonic sets with VIERA Cast and those from LG with NetCast Entertainment Access are slated to ship with living room-to-living room capabilities. Initially the sets will only support 720P video (the first rung on the high-def ladder), whereas the Skype software recently stepped up to full 1080P (which offers six times higher resolution).

So what's next for Skype?

Gaming consoles are a safe bet. After all, the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Nintendo Wii can all utilize webcams and they're all internet-connected. Producing a Skype app for each would put it on more than 100 million devices people already own--no need for a fancy new HDTV!

Skype now accounts for 12% of all international calls - up more than 50% from last year. That number will almost certainly climb again as the software starts creeping onto our home electronics. The convenience factor is a huge key, and further freeing Skype from computers will certainly offer that convenience.

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Homeowner Electric Bills Get High-Tech Help

Lee Mathews — 2010-01-19T10:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Design,News

For most home owners, about the only way to quickly control how much energy they consume is by cranking down the thermostat. That's certainly true my home.

That's about to change. Soon your home will be more connected and "smarter" than ever, thanks to two technologies under development. One comes from a group headed by Google, the other from Poco Labs.

While both efforts aim to give you more insight into your home's energy use, they take very different approaches.Google Power Meter (GPM) is all about reporting. The folks behind it believe that consumers who can monitor their energy use in real time will be more inclined to reduce. You'll be able to check into your GPM stats online the way you check your GMail or Google Voice. Turn off a few lights, power down that extra laptop you aren't using, then take another look at your Google report, and see how much you're saving in a matter of minutes.

Initially you'll only see household totals but eventually you'll be able to track the power for individual devices. You'll know exactly what it costs to keep your computer in sleep mode instead of turning it off and to leave lights on in rooms you aren't using. Since Google tends to be very developer-friendly don't be surprised if appliance and electronics companies start building-in GPM reporting features. In the mean time the Power Meter is meant to be device-independent, meaning you'll be able to purchase adapters that will work with your existing appliances.

For delivery, Google is initially focusing on partnerships with utility companies.They're testing the tool in a few markets now and plan to roll it out to Google employees later this year.

Poco Labs is taking a different tack by partnering with a variety of different businesses, including Direct Energy, Whirlpool, Lennox, and Best Buy. Their Home Energy Manager (HEM) software, which they recently unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, is designed to work with smart appliances and devices.

It won't just keep you informed about costs, it will also allow you to control the settings on those devices from a program on your computer. Working late on a summer night? Reprogram the timer on your air conditioner from your office so it isn't cooling an empty house.

David Dollihite, VP of product development for Direct Energy, says "The Home Energy Manager has the potential to do for home energy management what the iPhone did for communication." He adds, "[It] empowers consumers to look at energy use in a fresh, new way and modify their consumption behavior."

The Poco interface Direct Energy uses looks incredibly slick and the fact that you'll be able to adjust your Lennox wireless thermostat or Whirlpool dryer with it is undeniably cool. For select newt homes - like the 40 residences in a Houston pilot project - HEM could be a perfect money-saving tactic. The product could be widely available by 2011.

Both products are interesting, but there's one thing which could give Google a serious edge: price.

Google Power Meter costs nothing, and everyone loves a good freebie - especially if it has the potential to save them money.

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