Use your PDA, laptop computer and cell phone to control your home

For years, manufacturers of home control systems have understood how important intuitive interfaces are to the effective management of a networked home. Their solutions have historically come in the form of wall-mounted keypads or tabletop touchscreens through which a user could synchronously modify and adjust the settings of lights, security devices, thermostats, audio/video gear and other components. These interfaces were, and still are, great for controlling the home from home. But what consumers want now is a way to engage these same functions when they are away from the house.

A recent study by the Consumer Electronics Association shows that nearly one-third of homeowners would like to use the Internet to monitor their homes, while 36 percent want their homes to email them automatically at work to notify them of happenings such as deliveries and children arriving home from school.

Manufacturers have responded by developing control systems that can be operated from anywhere in the world by using an Internet-enabled cell phone, PDA or laptop computer.

The Setup

There are three things your home needs in order for it to be controlled via the web: a broadband Internet connection, a network of high-speed wiring and a web-enabled home control system. The broadband connection, available through your cable or telephone provider, ensures that communication with devices at home from a remote location is fast and efficient. With broadband, commands reach your home in an instant rather than in minutes, as with old-fashioned dial-up connections.

The inside of your house must also be built for speed, and that means making sure it is wired appropriately with Category 5 (or higher) Ethernet wiring and RG-6 (or higher) coaxial cabling. Many builders now install this advanced type of cable as a standard part of their services. If yours doesn't, be sure to contact a home systems installation firm as soon as possible.

Finally, the system that relays the commands issued by a PDA or laptop needs to be able to understand Internet speak. Some systems are already Internet ready, while others need the help of an Internet-connected PC.

The Devices

Nearly everyone carries a cell phone these days, and every home control system (even ones that aren't Internet enabled) can be controlled via a telephone. Basically, you enter a code to gain access to the system and then follow a series of prompts to modify the settings of different devices. Of course, a telephone dial pad is laid out and labeled much differently than the buttons of a home control keypad or touchscreen. Consequently, the procedure for listening to prompts and entering codes may feel awkward at first.

In most cases, a PDA is an easier tool for remote home control than a phone. From the screen of the device, you can view the status of the lights, thermostats, security system and other devices and modify them on the spot. Still, for some applications, the PDA's screen may be a bit too small to display all the information a home control system might share.

A laptop computer offers an ideal platform to view just about everything you might need to know about your house. For starters, the screen is large enough to replicate the layout of a home control touchscreen. Everything you would see on the touchscreen at home you can view on your PC. Plus, any images that are captured by Internet-enabled security cameras can be viewed comfortably on the screen.

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