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DIYer Uses iPhone 4S and Siri for Home Automation
One user shows an alternate, automated use for Apple's latest innovation.
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October 31, 2011 | by Rachel Cericola

We knew that Apple’s announcement of the iPhone 4S and Siri would lead to bigger, better things—automated things.

While some of you are using the device’s new personal assistant application to plan outfits and make restaurant recommendations, Christoper Deutsch taught Siri how to do a little home automation.

Deutsch enlisted a few add-ons, including an Insteon thermostat and appliance module. Of course, you’ll also need the iPhone 4S. He details all of the add-ons and part of the process on his blog.

More importantly, he explains the sequence of events. According to Deutsch’s site and Technabob, it goes a little something like this: Give Siri the command, and it goes to a Twilio SMS number. Twilio then sends its info to his Node web application, then to the Indigo Web server, and to the Insteon thermostat/appliance.

Yes, it seems like a lot just to turn on the fan. It’s not exactly moving any tech mountains, but his daughter seems pretty happy about it. So are we, actually. This has to be a sign of things to come. Check out the video below.



Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer
Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.



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Comments (2) Most recent displayed first.
Posted by Grant Clauser  on  11/01/11  at  09:16 AM

Good advice. Thanks Jay.

Posted by Jay Martin  on  11/01/11  at  06:31 AM

We love it when people find new and interesting ways to use our Indigo Home Automation Server. I would advise people to be careful about using an uncontrolled public access method, such as SMS, to control their homes though since pretty much anyone with a phone can send an SMS…



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