Custom home automation company Control4 isn't the type of exhibitor you'd expect to see at CES 2010. But the company has set up shop to demonstrate its new apps for controlling IP-based home control and entertainment systems from BlackBerry and Android devices.

Using Control4's Mobile Navigator app, homeowners can control everything from security to lighting, temperature, music, and video with the phone in the same way they would with a touch-panel. The app mimics the screen of an actual Control4 system, and authenticates the system before connecting to ensure there's no unauthorized access.

The new 2.0 OS will come with a 4Sight remote monitoring subscription for controlling devices over the 3G wireless network. This includes e-mail notifications when there's been an attempted access into the home, for example, or the garage door has been left open.

The iPhone has been the only mobile device to really break into the home automation category. Indeed, Control4 launched an iPhone/iTouch app last year. But the addition of BlackBerry and Android to Control4's roster could open the floodgates for support of various smartphone devices from other custom A/V manufacturers.

The Mobile Navigator application is available as a free download the respective app stores, BlackBerry App World and Android Marketplace; and remains available through the iTunes App Store. A subscription can be purchased through Control4.

The Control4 mobile app has been available for a year for the iPhone, but the custom A/V company has now added support for BlackBerry and Android devices.

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