Use Your iPhone to Control Appliances Without Breaking the Bank

There are several home automation solutions on the market right now that work with your iPhone. In conjunction with web-based control servers, you can use the handset to operate anything from your lights to your thermostat.

But price and complexity has always kept the technology out of the reach of the average consumer. So ZMote decided to come up with an easy to use, affordable solution. Introducing the Bluetooth Smart Cord….

From the outside, ZMote’s Smart Cord looks like your run-of-the-mill extension cord. But inside, it’s much more than that. It contains a Bluetooth module that can be used to remotely control the cord’s power.

Using the ZMote app on your iPhone, you can turn the Smart Cord’s power off and on — along with the appliance it’s attached to. Meaning you can turn off that hard-to-reach floor lamp by simply tapping a button on your smartphone.

At just $40, this is by far one of the least expensive ways to remotely control your appliances. But you get what you pay for. The app looks pretty sketchy, and because it uses Bluetooth, you’ll have to be fairly close to the appliance for it to work.

But if you’re interested in it, the Smart Cord is expected to be available sometime later this month.

[Gizmodo]