Instant NFTs keep decor on-trend, a smart home hub gets an upgrade, Crestron keeps on the hybrid workfront, and Sonos levels-up streaming services with an exhilarating partnership. October’s tech news is here.
Blackdove and LG
In July we reported on the rise of digital art and NFTs, answering questions about the form and how to make the most of it in your smart home. This trend is proving its staying power. Blackdove, an NFT service and marketplace, recently announced a partnership with LG. The two have collaborated in the past, but this new alliance will bring Blackdove’s collection to LG’s DVLED Extreme Home Cinema line.
Blackdove selected five NFTs from their collection that will be available instantly on all LG Extreme Home Cinema displays. Beyond these five, users can manage and build their private collections through the Blackdove app, which integrates with Crestron and Savant home automation systems. This collaboration allows smart home owners to experience the full, immersive impact of digital art in the comfort of their home.
Sonance IPORT Connect Pro
IPORT, the Sonance-owned company offering docking solutions for tablets, has announced an all-new Connect Pro. The tablet you’ve established as the base for all your connected-home needs now has an upgraded, versatile home. The Connect Pro WallStation and BaseStation provides docking, charging, and protection for dedicated-use tablets.
With two options, one for wall mounting and one for table-top use, the Connect Pro provides a powerful port for the hub that controls your smart home. It integrates seamlessly with all iPad models. The BaseStation holds the tablet at an ergonomic 45 degree angle, while the WallStation secures tablets with a strong magnetic hold. You don’t have to worry about any of the electrical capabilities behind the scenes; the Connect Pro uses a single Cat 5 cable and provides flexibility for installation. This exciting upgrade simplifies everyday use of tablets as the main control center for smart homes.
Lutron Palladium Shades Go Wire-Free
Leader in smart shades Lutron has taken their window coverings to the next level with wire-free shades. These shades combine the company’s dedication to cutting-edge technology with their passion for beautiful design. Without a need for pre-wiring, these shades don’t have to be envisioned in the plans for a new building. Older homes can easily be retro-fitted with these latest smart shades. Because they use D-cell batteries along with an energy-efficient plan lasting three to five years, the latest Lutron Palladiom shades may be the easiest yet to use and maintain.
Crestron Improves Flex for Better Hybrid Meetings
The pandemic threw a wrench in our work. While work-from-home is still very desirable for many, returning to the office has its proponents. The result is that a hybrid workforce will most likely prevail for the foreseeable future. Crestron has kept at the forefront of virtual work technology and they’ve recently improved their Flex platform to include better video and audio conferencing capabilities.
Nothing’s worse than logging onto a virtual meeting and not being able to see every participant. The new integration with Jabra provides a 180-degree view of the room, allowing everyone to be clearly seen. It provides a real time head count of participants while adjusting the zoom level and focus based on what’s happening and who’s speaking. Including a live whiteboard streaming feature, Crestron’s improved Flex makes hybrid work work for everyone.
Sonos and The North Face
Sonos Radio is continually providing its subscribers with interesting and specially curated content. Its newest partnership goes beyond our usual ideas about audio streaming services, however. This collaboration with The North Face takes listeners with explorers to some of the most adventurous places on Earth. From skiing down the fourth highest mountain on the planet for the first time to climbing Japan’s tallest waterfall, Sonos and The North Face allow you to experience the most extreme and extraordinary outdoors experiences available, all while sitting on your couch.
The soundscapes, coordinated with precise musical accompaniment by Mikael Jorgensen from the Grammy-award winning band Wilco and narration from the adventurers, provides never-before-heard access to some of the most exciting places on Earth. Sonos continues to push the boundaries of what streaming services can offer; with immersive, smart home audio systems and these experience-based audio offerings, we’re excited to see what boundaries they can bridge next.
Responsive Living, the term coined by Acoustic Architects founders, Aaron Flint and Spencer Hauldren, is the concept of seamlessly enhancing the client’s unique lifestyle using smart home technology. Responsive Living allows you to interact with your space via touch input, voice command, and predictive automation, placing you in full control of your home.
If you would like to learn more about integrating new systems into your smart home system, feel free to connect with us. We will be happy to schedule a demo with you.
For more information, visit acousticarchitects.net.
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