Smartphone app controls everything in your smart home

It's the remote control to rule them all. Mobile app company Ube (pronounced "you-be") has developed a single smartphone app designed to control any system in your home that has a wireless connection. That includes media boxes like Apple TV and Tivo, smart TVs, thermostats, garage door openers and anything else that is connected to the internet. Perhaps even a fridge, one day.

For electronics without built-in smarts, Ube makes smart plugs fitted with microprocessors that can be plugged into standard outlets, as well as a multi-touch light switch dimmer. The device was launched this week at the DEMO conference in Santa Clara, California.

Most smart home technologies are highly proprietary, meaning they need to be customised for each device by a professional. A system that controls your lights cannot be integrated with the audio or security system, for instance. Ube simplifies the problem by being able to connect to any device that has an IP address.

The Ube app can give you information about what temperature the thermostat is currently set to or what channel the TV is on. The outlets and app can also collect information about how much energy each device, room or system is using, and the app sends push notifications to offer suggestions on how you can cut your home's energy consumption.

Ube made a big splash at DEMO, winning the People's Choice Award, and it is poised to start a Kickstarter campaign in the coming weeks. The app will be free, while the dimmer will retail for $60 and the outlet and plug for $55 each.

Toshiba launches App Studio

Toshiba has launched The App Studio – a campaign in which the public can submit Windows 8 App ideas, one of which will be developed by a professional team.

The period for submissions starts today and runs until November 2nd, and entries will be judged by a panel of app developers as well as Toshiba and Microsoft.

“Apps have become ubiquitous with all kinds of technology, and can help people in so many different ways – they cover everything from pure entertainment to more convenient ways of organising your day,” comments Toshiba UK’s Senior Marketing Manager, Tarek Boudour.

“The idea behind the campaign is that anyone can come up with amazing ideas for an app. It’s not important to have the technical know-how, but judges will be looking for exciting, original and easy to understand ideas.”

UTILIZE THE TECHNOLOGY WE HAVE IN NIGERIA- EDOZIE

Dr. Louis Edozie addressing participants at YALDA 2012

Development is a constant thing happening to nations around the world and African is moving towards technological development at a fast rate. Thou, It took developed nations decades before they got to their present state; these developments were achieved through technological and infrastructural innovations. 

In Nigeria, one of her challenges is the power sector. According to Dr. Louis Edozie, a facilitator at “Technology and Infrastructures Ideas” session at Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa (YALDA) 2012 CONFERENCE said the real problem in the power sector is that there are no measurable plans such as transmitting and generating plans that meet the required needs of the people. Another issue is that we don’t have effective public institution, as some of these institutions are affected by bureaucracy and corruption. Finance also poses as challenges as these power infrastructures are expensive. Can the government take their capital and deliver? he said.

More so, he advised that the range of technology available presently in Nigeria should be utilized. That is, if there is a new entrant in the power sector, he must look for ways to use technology to improve that sector ie. using heat to generate power. He counsel the youth to look at areas in the society where technology can be implemented to improve the society. Try and create a niche market for your product to fill the gap of technological need in the market. Put your ideas into motion and people will listen to you, he said.