TiO, a new Android-based home automation technology brand out of the ashes of the 3vNet product line, has unveiled its initial line. The introductory suite of products features Wi-Fi-based streaming, multi-zone audio, wireless lighting, and climate control. Within a few months, TiO will introduce a second round of products focused on easy third-party integration and support for the most popular security, camera, and entertainment subsystems.
The various control pages in the TiO home automation system
“The TiO home automation solution is built from the ground up with the central focus on the customer experience,” said Mike Anderson, president of TiO’s parent company Automated Control Technology Partners (ACTP), “Today’s home automation customers want a solution that empowers them to easily create relaxing and comforting moods and experiences in their home. In the past, making changes to automation systems was difficult and often required an integrator to visit the home. With TiO, the customer is in control once the system is installed and configured.”
TiO Moods are single-room events created by adjusting elements within a room (i.e. lighting levels, temperature, music source and volume) to a desired setting and then simply “capturing” the settings with a single button press. Once a Mood is created, it can be recalled anytime by selecting it from a list of captured Moods. When the homeowner’s preferences change, a new Mood can be created.
The TiO StealthStream 1 (AZSS1) Digital Audio Zone Player is a compact digital audio component featuring a 100-watt amplifier, built-in streamer and integrated Bluetooth receiver.TiO Experiences are a collection of Moods that work together to create a complete home scene. Experiences can be scheduled and, like Moods, can be quickly and easily changed whenever the homeowner wants.
“With this kind of intuitive control, TiO adapts to the customer instead of requiring the customer to adapt to the system,” Anderson said.
TiO’s “outside in” approach extends beyond the homeowner and offers a new opportunity to electronic systems contractors, according to the company. All TiO elements are configured through an Android tablet via the TiOPro App. Once the elements are installed, they automatically appear on the app. From there, the integrator spends less than two minutes configuring each system element.
“TiO is all about removing the complexity from the installation process,” said Matt Curtin, vice president of sales and marketing for TiO. “TiO home automation systems are a solution that can be installed and configured in under a day for most jobs. This is a totally new approach, but we think this is the future of the home automation market. The days of spending weeks programming a system are over.”
The foundation of a TiO system is the Master Coordinator (MC1) Smart Wireless Access Point. The MC1 is a dedicated WPS wireless router featuring up to 450 feet of range utilizing a 2.4 GHz 802.11n wireless network. The MC1 will retail for $499.99. The MC1 is the only overhead element of the system, providing unique system scalability. The end-user may buy as many or as few features as desired without having the burden of a lot of centralized equipment.
The TiO StealthStream 1 (AZSS1) Digital Audio Zone Player is a compact digital audio component featuring a 100-watt amplifier, built-in streamer and integrated Bluetooth receiver. Measuring only 1.88 x 2.75 x 3.90 inches (H x W x D), the AZSS1 can be installed in a single-gang installation and is perfect for replacing existing volume controls or repurposing existing wiring. Once the installation is complete, the AZSS1 is controlled via the TiOHome App. Other features include a sensing optical input with auto switching, analog audio output and 802.11n wireless capabilities. The AZSS1 will retail for $599.99.
For customers looking for the AZSS1’s feature set, but who prefer a wall-mounted control, TiO offers two full-color touchscreens: The TouchStream 4 (AZTS4), a 4-inch portrait high-resolution touchscreen, and the TouchStream 7 (AZTS7), a 7-inch landscape display. The AZTS4 and AZTS7 feature the same user-interface design as the TiOHome Android App, including full gesture-based control. Like the AZSS1, both the 4-inch and 7-inch TouchStream are single-gang installations. Both products offer full system control as well as a host of streaming audio capabilities. The AZTS4 will retail for $799.99 and the AZTS7 will retail for $899.99.
TiO will also offer lighting control via the TouchLite 4 (TL4) Universal Switch-Dimmer. The TL4’s elegant design features capacitive touch buttons and custom labeling. The TL4 is configurable from the TiOHome App as a one-, two- or four-button control, providing maximum flexibility. The TouchLite 4 is able to control all lighting types, including incandescent, MLV, ELV, LED, and fluorescent bulbs. The TL4 will also control switching motors, appliances or fans. The TL4 communicates to the TiO system via Wi-Fi and can also control any of the other TiO system elements. The TL4 retails for $249.99.
The TiO ThermaTouch 1 (TT1) is a Wi-Fi based thermostat with full-color, 4.7-inch touchscreen. The device works with all industry-standard HVAC systems, including gas, electric and heat pumps. In addition to climate control, the TT1 will also provide the homeowner with weather information for their local area. The TT1 retails for $299.99.
TiO will make its brand debut in June at InfoComm 2013 (Booth 2582), June 12-14 in Orlando, FL. All products are scheduled to ship in early August. For more information on TiO and information on how to become a TiO dealer, visit http://www.tiohome.com.
