The fresh XBMC 9.11 Alpha1 can be downloaded and tested. It got codename ‘Camelot’. There are following major changes in that version:

• DirectX has replaced OpenGL for Windows
• Switch to Core Audio on OSX
• Many VDPAU improvements under linux
• Numerous skinning engine updates
• Many improvements to the video player which allow for much smoother playback

To get the first alpha version of XBMC 9.11 go to download page and choose your favourite OS. Please keep in mind that this is an early build and it might be unstable. So, don’t use it in production system. To help developers fix found bugs and issues, please, create a new ticket in the Trac if there is no such one.

That presentation will be useful for all who’d like to understand what kind of wireless devices can be used in the home automation system and how. I like it but the CoCo devices, which use some proprietary protocol instead of some standard one, should be definitely replaced by something with support Z-Wave or ZigBee. Moreover, it’s supposed that CoCo devices will control via remote control and not via PC or controller (correct me if I wrong). I found the PC interface but it’s used to set timers and not for integration with home automation system. As a simple and basic solution without controller or PC with specific software CoCo might be good (depends of the price, of couse). But for something serious it’d be better to use devices which support some standard protocol such X10, Z-Wave, ZigBee etc and which can be easily integrated with opensource or commertial software.

[via AutomatedHome]

Cool solution to show the status of door lock is given by Martin Howell. He uses a standard micro switch, mounted on to an aluminium plate which is screwed to the inside of the opening in the door frame where the lock tongue goes in, two LED lights and CAT5 wiring for each switch. The wires come from the ‘engine room’ where server and all network stuff are located and carrier power from a central 12v power supply to the LEDs. Using CAT5 he receives the status of each lock to the central place. It’s passed to the HomeSeer server via Ocelot. As result the status of the door lock can be viewed from touchscreen panel or system will say about it via SONOS players using text-to-speech software.

Simple and cheap solution but it’ll help you to make your house more secure. Sure such approach can be used for new house with more then one door (my friend has three plus garage). There is a possibility to install door/window sensors but they can indicate open the door or window or not. The status of the lock is unknown in that case. You can use “smart” locks such Schlage LiNK but it’s too expensive than the Martin’s solution.

AsRock is going to release a three new Ion based nettops: Ion 330HT, Ion 330Pro and Ion 330HT-BD. They will ship with a dual-core 1.6GHz Atom 330 processor, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, 7.1 channel audio, gigabit Ethernet, HDMI / VGA outputs, six USB 2.0 sockets and a powered eSATA port. The Ion 330Pro sports DVD RW drive and Ion 330HT-BD – Blu-ray. Both models are equiped with MCE remote controls (not sure with one IR or RF) which is very helpful in case of using those nettops as HTPC (in my mind this is their primary purpose).

The is no any information about availability and price. But I don’t think that AsRock will delay with release. I though to buy AsRock Ion 330 sometime ago. But I found in some review information about noisy fan on the back of nettop. So, I decided to build Ion HTPC by myself. Will post about it soon. Stay tune!

Good news for all UK inhabitants who’d like to control their electricity consumption. Producer of DIY home security system AlertMe announced its new product – AlertMe Energy which will be supported by Google PowerMeter service. The AlertMe Energy contains two parts – Meter Reader clipped onto the home’s electricity meter to measure the energy consumption, and Hub plugged to the into the home broadband connection to transmit received data from the meter to the AlertMe web service and now – to the Google PowerMeter. The Meter Reader and Hub communicate each other via ZigBee.

The price of the AlertMe Energy is £69.00 and £2.99 per month for the online service. Well, personally I like TED 5000 more because it doesn’t need any subscription fees. But it can be used in US only as I understand. In any case the partnership with Google is a clever move for AlertMe. Because their security system is too expensive taking into account its limitations. New energy monitoring product can help AlertMe get more customers and keep existing ones.