One of the biggest pluses for using tablets like the iPad for automation control is the remote access via 3G to both the control system and the home's security cameras while away.

John Stumpf, Sales Manager at Station Earth in Fergus, ON, mentioned in a recent interview that he takes his own iPad with him to meetings with new clients, and uses the device to show them how easy it is to check the status of their home, view the cameras, and make changes to climate and lighting, even while travelling.

As a result, more vendors are coming on board. Honeywell has adapted its Total Connect remote services app to enable faster, higher-quality streaming video for Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices. With Total Connect Video Services, users can select from up to six cameras in a system.

They can view live video, record and store video clips, take snapshots, and look in on cameras from any remote location, as long as there's a WiFi and/or 3G connection. Additionally users can control pan and tilt cameras, and a double tap feature centres the camera on its axis, letting the viewer get a better look at designated areas.

In addition to security, light control, has benefitted greatly from tablets, thanks for factors like the expanded real estate of the larger screens. Lutron Electronics' iPad app for its RadioRA 2 control system for example, is designed to control lights, shades, temperature and plug-in electrical appliances. Homeowners can monitor and control their systems while away, engage a "green" mode that reduces light levels and turns off unneeded appliances, and control multiple homes from one iPad.

Moving beyond the handheld remotes for which they're known, RTI has developed the RTiPanel app, which allows RTI users to control RTI's XP control processors on the iPad, including over 3G. Users can check in on security systems, turn the lights on and off, and reset the thermostat before arriving home from work in the evening. Interestingly, for experienced RTI programmers, the RTiPanel app offers simple configuration and customization through the existing Integration Designer software.

Looking back, last year was often referred to as the "Year of the Tablet." But that might have been premature. So far, it seems like this is the year that tablets are really taking over. In this column, we've already addressed the growing constellation of apps for not only control, but other integration tools, several times this year. And it's not even spring. Doubtless, there's more still in store for us as the year progresses and new technologies and options come to fruition.

Article Tags:  control, cameras, users, video, security, system, tablets, remote, appliances, integration, lights, rtipanel, systems, services, check, total, connect, store, light,