Smart home technology for the masses?

May 8, 2012

Smart home technology advanced a step further this past week with Microsoft’s HomeOS. Basically, its an operating system that allows users to manage their home networks by providing a central hub whereby various home devices can be controlled. With many homes already containing PC’s, game consoles, wireless devices, tablets, cameras, smart phones, various appliances, etc, it would seem only natural that there be an easy method to commuincate with these devices and to have the ability to centrally control them as well.  Microsoft is attempting to bring this to reality.
Although still a prototype, Microsoft is hoping,

“To simplify the management of technology and to simplify the development of applications in the home.”

However, in addition to Microsoft’s answer to smart home tech, Google has also thrown its hat into the ring as well. Both tech giants hope to use apps wherein users can control devices via their smart phones/tablets.

Leave a Comment » | Mobile Apps, Networking, OS, Smart home, Wi-Fi | Permalink
Posted by UrbanTechGuy

Wi-Fi is still useful outside the home

May 7, 2012

Although cellular connections are much better now, Wi-Fi is still useful outside the home despite the naysayers.

There are at least a couple reasons for this: One, there are still dead or slow zones in some buildings when attempting  to access the web via a cellular connection, whether it’s 3G/4G or what have you, (though sometimes the reverse is true also). Two, because the cellular providers are now imposing data caps on our already expensive and restrictive plans, many users, myself included, don’t want to chance exceeding the cap, therefore, prefer to use Wi-Fi whenever possible.

Until the data caps are lifted, long live WiFi!

Leave a Comment » | Cell phone, Wi-Fi, Wireless | Permalink
Posted by UrbanTechGuy