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Hi. My name is Kevin Rose. Here I share my thoughts, ideas, and random things I find online.  For work, I'm the founder and site architect of Digg, and a co-founder at Revision3 and Pownce (acquired by SixApart).  When the internet is off, I climb rocks, drink tea/wine, read books, and explore San Francisco. Thanks for visiting.

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Tuesday
05Aug

Ideas. iPower

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Sounds a lot like X10. About 10 years ago, I bought this package that IBM sold called the home director. It had the power plug type things like you were talking about, and also came with a power module that connected to your computer over serial port. It let you program different power profile settings and stuff.

It also came with a pretty cool RF remote that let you fade on your lights, start your stereo, etc. It was really cheesy and hard to setup, but with a more streamlined setup and GPS connectivity it would be pretty sweet.

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterMichael Curtis

Sick idea....I really like the sync idea with the iphone...using the existing gps technology for the proximity readings is a killer, killer idea. Could be used on something like an electric kettle, a stove for a stovetop kettle, coffeemaker, etc.

Having drinks ready would be a really nice thing to have...

Think about the possibilities of having your favorite song set to already play when you walk in. That's tight stuff.

Good idea.

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterZack Luye

Good idea (x2).

Also: Your favicon wants to be loved.

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterDan Tasman

I agree, sounds like X10 on steroids. If any company could do this it would be Apple.

I am also sure that some people are going to be worried about privacy and problems where someone might get access to your GPS location. The future is upon us, there is no such thing as privacy anymore. Everything done online is open to the public. Just my $0.02. Not that I don't like privacy, I just think people go a little too overboard.

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterJohn Congdon

Great idea!
Congrats on the Blog too.

{PS: Your H2 tags are pretty fugg {Times New Roman}. Click on "ideas" above and you'll see "Entries in ideas (1)".}

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterAlan Houser

Great concept/idea Kevin.

There are some 'power consumption' devices out there, but I dont believe any are networked and obviously not integrated into our online lives at the level we would like to see them.

Here is a pretty insane household circuit monitor homebrew which lets you monitor your entire home at the breaker level: http://www.kondra.com/circuit/circuit.html - certainly out of control, but cool non the less.

- I added your video blog to digg: http://twurl.nl/7khvd7 :-)
(maybe you and Alex can talk about your own blog post!)

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered Commenter@SIGEPJEDI

I seem to remember seeing some FCC filings a while back with a similar device by Apple. Maybe this will be the next big thing. Why not add in an IP based camera so you can check on your place while you are gone as well.

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterGreg Furry

That is a great idea, but I want to pose the question... What if you have two iPhone users in the same household? Say I was leaving to go study, but my husband was staying home to WoW it up or watch movies. Would all the devises turn off?

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterJenni Lee

Definitely would be cool if it told you power usage as well as the capability to turn on or off things. Maybe even automatically turn certain devices off when total power usage while your out of the house is at a certain level. Also be intuitive to know night time versus day time hours as well as day of the week.

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterPhil Chen

i got a few xtra x10's layin around that never really got used due to them being bulkly and really not too functional. putting this into a more mainstream envirionment with gps support (ie. your iphone idea) would make for a great iphone app build in!


...not too bad for a think thank whos been out of it for a year or so cheers man!

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered Commenterdavid mcalister

Great idea, some tweaks would be for things like your receiver. If it's powered off at the outlet, wouldn't this kill some settings. I know some devices keep this info but like my receiver reverts back to default settings. Maybe some could come with a programmable IR attachment. You'd also want to make screw in type for bulbs, or wall plates for switches, garage door openers. You'd also need a way to manually disable the feature from home. So when you walk out your wife is left without TV :) It would also be nice if you could monitor the voltage with the app, which would make you more aware of the power you're using and have it show you the cost. Lights that are compatible could also be controlled to dim. So when you're watching a movie you could control lights from the couch. You could set lights and stereo to come on as part of your alarm clock and hitting the iPhone is your snooze.

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterDouglas Porter

awesome

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterNic Aragon

I think it might be better with IR integration. Universal remote control is a simple technology, so it wouldn't take much to add. I would much rather power down my devices by asking them to do so via an IR remote than just yanking the plug (which is effectively what your idea does - yank the plug). A lot of devices would actually be harmed by doing this. Your receiver could certainly be one of them. Finally, once those devices are off, plugging them back in doesn't turn them back on (all the time). Usually, you have to do that manually. IR solves this as well with a power-on command.

The addition of IR would also make this a device capable of not just powering the things that it touches, but also controlling them. Now this product has become a lot more interesting without much extra work (simple mappings to a computer-controlled universal remote).

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered Commenterjosh dyson

I've seen something similar to this. When I was in London, the hotel I stayed at used keycards to unlock the room doors (as most hotels do). But when you went inside your room, you had to stick your keycard inside a slot near the door, and then all the lights and appliances would power on. Then, when you left, you'd have to take your keycard with you, and 30-60 sec. later, the lights and appliances would turn off. This way, the hotel would say tons of money from people forgetting to turn off the light.

Another idea could use something like this.

http://sewelldirect.com/Cables-Unlimited-Automatic-USB-PC-Lock.asp

The usb is stuck into the computer and acts as a receiver. You leave the transmitter in your pocket, and when you walk a certain distance away from it, the computer automatically screen locks. This could work in a bigger scale if you're able to connect it to your lights and appliances. The only problem with this is the strength of the IR signal.

Combining the keycard technique and this wireless transmitter thing could work.

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterAndrew Mui

Maybe incorporate some of that networking over existing power technology for the base station to communicate with the remote switches. Then, maybe, each remote switch could have it's own IP could be named individually. I heard something once about a Green switch that would be installed near entrances to the home. This Green switch would shut off power to the Green sockets through out the home where you could plug in your non-essential equipment.

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterRichard Johnson

What if we could draw a map of our house.... add lights, music, locks, fans, computers, sterios etc. etc. etc.
And put all that in a touch pad type of thing.

Would kinda look something like this.

The touch to change system.
I would be playing with it for hours!

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterRoseBertins

Perceptive Automation has some great Mac software that does a lot of this today (except for the GPS functionality). I've been using their Indigo app with X10/INSTEON controllers for a couple years in my house and it's been working well. I've only been controlling/automating lights, but I know the X10 world has expanded to things like HVAC (haven't tried it yet).

I'd love to see someone develop the GPS functionality and automation you describe (especially with an iPhone).

More info: http://www.perceptiveautomation.com

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterKW2DIO

Killer Idea. This can not only be convenient upon leaving the house/turning off electronics but also great for people returning home.

Safety: Turn on driveway / garage / door / interior lights ...
Convenience: Turn on Air conditioning 10min prior to arrival, preheat oven.

Great Idea..

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterGil D

Thats a great idea, I have alot of my devices on these power plugs, that have a little remote like a car security keychain thing, I just push it and they all go off.. but it would be nice to have an advance version of that. Im so bad with my receiver also.

Kevin I had a AMAZING idea for a new web business, but im way outside of the ability to do anything with it.. I have had this idea since 2000 or so and every time I tell people about it they are amazed with the concept. I will give you this idea, whats the best way to pass this idea off to you? I think you would like it.

Cool new blog, hope you update it alot.

redban

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterBrian Redban

I think it is a great idea.

Similar to MP3 players, the tech exists and Apple could be the right company to make it "friendlier" for non-techies the way the did with the iPod.

I think I would also add a small remote "stall" button which could be mounted by the door, so if I'm just popping to the postbox or my partner is staying in then she won't find herself in the dark!

Long time fan, thanks for hours of entertainment and Digging!

Aug 6, 2008 | Registered CommenterAdam W
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