Media Experiences 2 Go

In case you missed it yesterday, Motorola acquired 4Home, Inc., a software and services company in the home management space. From the press release:

4Home delivers connected home services through its carrier-grade software platform, ControlPoint. These services include energy management, home security and monitoring, media management and home health. ControlPoint is based on a customizable design, using open standards that allow partners to develop compelling new services for consumers that utilize the growing number of connected devices in the home.

Although home automation and energy management technologies are far more popular today than they were a few years ago, the acquisition of 4Home isn’t Motorola’s first foray into the industry. Back in 2004 and 2005, the company had a Home Monitoring and Control solution (along with other home retail products) complete with accessories ranging from cameras to temperature gauges and motion detectors. The solution even included cell phone integration with the ability to get mobile alerts and spy on camera feeds. Of course, back then we were operating in an entirely different technology environment. Broadband penetration rates and broadband speeds were much lower, and we were still a long way from the smartphone explosion that was to occur later in the decade. The original Motorola Home Monitoring and Control solution didn’t survive very long, but the concept was ahead of its time. In 2010, using broadband for home management applications makes a lot of sense.

Filed under: Internet, IP, Motorola News, Networks, software