LIFX | SMARTPHONE CONTROLLED LIGHT BULB

lifx-bulbControl and change colors of your light bulbs with your iPhone or Android! How cool would that be? well, it might just become a reality if the LIFX project is successfully funded on Kickstarter… by the amount already pledged it should become available soon. LIFX is very easy to set-up, simply replace your existing bulbs with LIFX smartbulbs, install the free app, and you´re ready to control your bulbs. From your phone, you can adjust the brightness, change color, wake up naturally with automatically increasing light in the morning, automatically dim lights for drifting off to sleep at night, or set the lights in your house to switch on/off when you leave or arrive home. Watch the amazing video
Also check out the Audiobulb, a wireless speaker light bulb

LIFX | SMARTPHONE CONTROLLED LIGHT BULB | Image

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The Birth Of A Home Theater

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The Homes of Tech Titans (25 Photos)

Genius Spanish Solar Pavilion Innovates Customized Prefabrication

solar_houseThe collaboration between the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) and leading multinational company in the Spanish electricity sector Endesa resulted in the construction of an innovative solar structure that will adorn the Barcelona’s Marina Pier for one year. Part of the Smart City Expo, the Endesa Pavilion (also known as Solar House 2.0 ) is describes as ” a testbed for informational grid technologies“. Combining prefabricated technologies with perfectly adapted customization, this genius design built in just one month is software-designed, cut to dimensions and assembled into a place-specific design. Plywood wedges shape outside solar system supports and interior storage spaces, while their cantilevering features shade the interiors from gaining too much heat in the summer.

Endesa Pavilion 1 Genius Spanish Solar Pavilion Innovates Customized Prefabrication

Endesa Pavilion 2 Genius Spanish Solar Pavilion Innovates Customized Prefabrication

Summarizing the project, IAAC explains the modularity, versatility and functional features of the pavilion: “The project is an exercise in which a building, under the guidance of the block type of Barcelona, is adapted by adding a series of modules on its facade. These modules, which are seen as triangular pieces section, make possible for the building to optimize energy and spatial intelligence. Its size and components vary depending on the orientation and inclination of the sun, the relationship with the environment and other technical needs.” Scroll down to see two videos – one presenting the pavilion from multiple angles and the second one explaining the ideas and technologies behind the exceptional project.

Endesa Pavilion 3 Genius Spanish Solar Pavilion Innovates Customized Prefabrication

Endesa Pavilion 4 Genius Spanish Solar Pavilion Innovates Customized Prefabrication

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Under lock and key: protecting your home from invasion

GarpielBurglarBreak-ins, burglaries, robberies—however the law eventually classifies them, home invasions are unsettling at best. At worst, they can be some of the most fundamentally disruptive acts of our lives. A look through the latest crime statistics sheds light on what discouraged break-ins, and what just looks like an invitation for crooks. Learn how to protect your house, your valuables and, most importantly, your loved ones from home invasion.

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Information sources:
Victimization During Household Burglary, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2010
Does social media compromise the security of your home?, Credit Sesame, 2011
Burglary, FBI, 2010

A Modern Home Finds Its Soul

houseInterior designer Andrew Mitchell toes the fine line beween design constraint and generosity in this Brighton, Australia, home. Called by clients who wanted to inject their home with more warmth and character, the designer brought in texture and materials without layering in too much old with the new. "Achieving balance between the sleek, modern bones of the house and adding character and soul is not an easy thing to do," says Mitchell. A slow and deliberate introduction of natural materials, including recycled Australian hardwoods and fabrics, softened what used to be a slightly steely interior.

Facebook Mobile Hits 543 Million Users

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In May, the Facebook Mobile application for mobile devices had 488 million users. And by the end of June, it reached 543 million monthly active users. That represents a 57% Facebook mobile penetration from the 955 million strong user base.

Faster Application = Faster Growth?

The application has been often criticized for being too slow and unresponsive, but about two weeks ago, Facebook issued a massive update to its iOS app and it is now much faster and easier to use. Not to mention that iPads finally support Timeline and it looks great on the retina screen. Facebook for Android has also gone through a smaller update resulting in faster photo uploads.

Mobile Platforms – The Biggest Changes

North America continues to be the strongest Facebook Mobile continent with over 161 million monthly active users and South Africa, Nigeria and Japan still rule the ranking of the countries with the highest Facebook Mobile penetration. But check out the numbers concerning the penetration of individual mobile platforms! During the last quarter, Facebook for Android has grown the most in absolute numbers (22.5 million new users) and iPad increased its mobile Facebook base by 45%! Now that Timeline is available for iPad, it will be interesting to see how the numbers grow.

Facebook Mobile Infographic

Check out, Share and Like the infographic below and compare it to the results we issued in May.

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INFOGRAPHIC: Your Facebook Timeline is like a Storefront

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More Americans Say: ‘No Voicemail, Text Me’

iphone textThe number of people who are leaving voicemail messages on phones is down 8 percent in July compared to a year ago, reports Vonage, an Internet phone company.

The finding affirms a behavioral shift that has been taking shape: Fewer people are showing a preference for voicemail and opting for text to send and retrieve their messages.

More people say "they hate the whole voicemail introduction, prompts, having to listen to them in chronological order," says Michael Tempora, Vonage’s senior vice president of product management.

In an effort to try to save voicemail, some companies are rolling out new voicemail transcription services, which convert voicemails to text that are then sent either via e-mail or text messages.

A USA Today article notes that “as with most declining technology, the exodus [of voicemail] is led by younger, more impatient users who are quicker to embrace alternatives.” Also, more people are turning to texting apps to add to their phones like WhatsApp and Google Voice, which allow a way around extra charges by their wireless carrier for sending and receiving texts too.

Source: “Voice Mail in Decline with Rise of Text, Loss of Patience,” USA Today (Sept. 3, 2012)