LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - Jan 8, 2013) - At the Consumer Electronics Show, People Power announces and demonstrates a groundbreaking smart phone app that can make millions of unused last generation iPhones and iPads into first class citizens of the emerging Internet of Things movement.
Many of us have upgraded to new iPhones or iPads and wonder what to do with our old devices. By installing the free People Power Presence app on both old and new devices, it's super easy to create a remote video camera and audio monitor for free. The old iPhone or iPad needs no cellular voice or data plan and securely communicates over the home Wi-Fi network and via secure servers to stream video and sound to the new iPhone or iPad, within the home or anywhere out in the world where it connects over 3G or 4G wireless networks.
People Power Presence gives a home its own eyes and ears, is able to capture and stream video and audio, detect motion, alert users and can make decisions according to simple rules. There's no need to first research and buy additional cameras, microphones or sensors, and no upfront cost or service fees. Other features include use of both front and back cameras, scheduling, phone flashlight remote control and much more.
The Internet of Things is a giant opportunity where billions of devices from cameras, to smart plugs and power strips, energy meters, thermostats, door sensors, locks and light switches will be connected, monitored and controlled over the Internet, and via the cloud. But getting billions of connected, compatible devices installed in consumers' homes has proved difficult and slow.
"The necessity to buy special hardware and the complexity of setting things up has delayed adoption of the Internet of Things," said Gene Wang, CEO of People Power. "We will speed adoption by pressing into service millions of old but still-smart phones to create a no-cost solution that starts small but easily expands to ultimately control many devices in the home. And People Power Presence is so supremely simple to use and setup that any smart phone user can do it on their own in minutes."
Tom Kerber, Director of Research at leading industry analyst firm Parks Associates, said, "Using an old iPhone provides a no-cost starting point for home controls. The People Power Presence App therefore brings the freemium model to home controls."
With no additional hardware than the old iPhone gathering dust in a drawer, connected over Wi-Fi, People Power Presence uses simple predefined, but customizable rules to solve everyday household problems for busy people, who wish they could be in two places at once:
- Did the kids get home from school OK today? Point the old smart phone at the front door, and select the rule that sends the new smart phone an alert and some video when the door opens. If by 4:15pm nothing has happened, then send an alert about that too.
- Did Grandma get out of bed this morning? Point the old smart phone at the kitchen and if there's no motion by 10am, then send an alert to her daughter's new smart phone.
- Mom and Dad were invited for dinner at the next-door neighbor's house but no babysitter's available. No problem, set up the old smart phone as a video baby monitor and get alerted on the new smart phone if there's a sound, and stream some video.
People Power Presence contains an in-app marketplace that features additional pre-tested compatible hardware you can purchase in a couple of clicks to add to your home monitoring and control system. Initially available and supported are the Monster Central PowerControl smart plug range of products including the PCT 100MC single outlet unit, the PCT 300MC three outlet unit and the GTW 100 gateway, now commercially shipping from Monster, a world leader in power conditioning and surge protection products. These devices, demonstrated at the Monster booth at CES, #13004, will for example enable the following:
- Remotely turn on 15 minutes of soothing lullaby music in the baby's room, when noise is detected there.
- If a suspicious character is detected walking up to the back door after midnight, turn on a light and start video recording.
- Analyze just how much energy the home theater system uses in standby mode and set a schedule to turn it off when no-one's moving in the house.
A wide range of other devices from People Power's partners are in the pipeline and will be able to be controlled from the same universal People Power Presence app -- which acts as the intelligent home hub to successfully, securely and effortlessly coordinate all these point solutions from different providers.
With no upfront cost, pricey dealer installation or additional monthly fee from your broadband provider, anyone can try People Power Presence, no geek required.
People Power Presence is currently in beta-test by invitation only and interested users may sign up at peoplepowerpresence.com. Full availability in the iPhone app store will be later in the first quarter of 2013, with an Android version later this year.
ABOUT PEOPLE POWER®
Award winning People Power is the universal remote control for the Internet of Things delivering intuitive mobile apps and cloud based software putting device monitoring and control in the palm of your hands. People Power makes products better for manufacturers and service providers by enriching features and providing remote monitoring and control from any mobile device. We put the Internet of Things to work for the people creating fantastic out-of-box and daily use experiences that provide new features, convenience, and efficiency never before possible. Based in Palo Alto California, People Power has received funding from Greener Capital, New Cycle Capital and other investors.
For more information visit: www.peoplepowerco.com
Contact Information:
Press contact:
Sarah Kezer
Phone: +1 321 236 0102 x226
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