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Twitter supposedly used to control house lights

p858snake   via Engadget on 22 May 2008 - 08:13 · 7 comments & 6248 views

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We'll preface this by saying this whole thing could be one giant hoax, but it's most certainly within the realm of possibility.

We're told it's a mixture of Insteon, SMS and Twitter, all of which are utilized in order to give one particular homeowner the ability to activate / turn off lights remotely by sending a specific message to the latter.

If you're interest is unquestionably piqued, click on through to check out the video -- 'tis a shame there's no how-to guide to be found.

Video: Vimeo (Control Lights with Twitter)

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 7 additional comments
#1 XerXis on 22 May 2008 - 09:12
why wouldn't it be possible, it's not even that hard to accomplish from the ground up yourself if you have a basic knowledge of electronics and programming
#2 +Cy Bones on 22 May 2008 - 10:23
Sounds like something from The Big Bang Theory
#3 duphus on 22 May 2008 - 11:56
via twitter? that's some digital detour
#4 duphus on 22 May 2008 - 11:57
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(1 reply) #5 +Octol on 22 May 2008 - 20:07
If you can make a hard drive spin through software, why would you not be able to turn lights on and off the same way? Just get yourself a USB light switch [as soon as somebody invents one!]
#5.1 peachey on 23 May 2008 - 07:48
You can already get USB light switches, if you make them yourself. the MAKE:Blog has a few examples
#6 Nodiaque on 26 May 2008 - 02:38
This does not actually require any electronic knowledge. Insteon already feature computer interface to turn on/off lights. Also, there's already a bunch of way to control your whole house electric/electronic appliance via a computer and a remote. Not very hard to put all that via a software that start a macro when a certain trigger happen. In fact, a simple plug-in via 2 programs will do. Nothing hard in there.

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