The Tellstick is a
USB device
that allows you to
control all your
plug-in electrical appliances
from your computer, across the internet, or even from your mobile. If
you don't
already have them, you'll need to purchase compatible smart plug
sockets
for it to work, but the cost is still incredibly low, especially
considering the amount you'll save - not to mention the good
you'll do for the environment.
Sounds too easy?
The Tellstick works with most operating system:
Windows XP, 2000, 7 and Vista, Mac OS X,
and
Linux. Windows 7 is now supported. The
control
software is free to download online
or Tellstick inventors, Telldus, will send you a CD free of charge. All
you need is a spare USB port and away you go. The Tellstick transmits
commands and your
plug socket/remote control devices receive them (within a 30 meter
range).
And then what?
You'll
need to use plug socket and remote control devices that are compatible
with the Tellstick, but there are plenty of them about and this is only
a selection:
Setup your devices on the free
control software on your computer, decide on the times you'd like the
related appliance to come on and off and
schedule times.
You can add, edit and remove both devices and schedules at any time.
You're in control of every plug socket in your home, including
lights, heating, TVs and computers,
as well as all those small items on standby that consume so much energy
when they're not even in use.
Telldus now also provide a free service called
Telldus
Live! This is a user
friendly service for automating your TellStick connected gear using the
Internet. All you need is a computer turned on in your home and your
TellStick connected to it. There is no need to keep track of
IP-addresses, port forwarding or any other advanced set ups for that
matter. In other words, this is a Plug n' Play service. And yes, there
is a free iPhone app for Telldus Live!
Free software updates
We
hope this system lasts you a long time in to the future and so the kind
people at Telldus include free software updates with the Tellstick
package. Simply download them from the software control system, as
they're required.
Open Source software
The
Telldus control software is Open Source. It sounds technical,
but what this means is that the source code of the software is open,
free and can be changed and altered by you if you wish. It also means
that third parties can use it
and hence offer you extras and add-ons that make your life easier.
Third party applications
Here are some fantastic examples of
third
party applications you can use with your Tellstick and a taster
of what they do. Please check the company websites for more detailed
information:
- DovTellCon
lets you control your devices from anywhere in the world
- Switch King
automates your Tellstick based on schedules or even the temperature
outside
- MediaPortal
controls your electrical applications alongside a media portal for
music, film and more
- Ulterius uses speech recognition to control your
Tellstick
- NexaHome
allows you to control your devices via the internet or your mobile phone
- RemoteStick
controls your electric appliances via Android
- Salling
Clicker controls your electric appliances via Bluetooth
- Nexa Sunrise
works alongside Skype
- AndysHomeControl
lets you control your devices from a picture layout of your home
appliances
- EventGhost
uses infrared signals and wireless remote control systems
- HomeAutomation
operates via PHP and MySQL databases
With such a
diverse range of control
methods
for your Tellstick, it's easy to feel excited and daunted at the same
time, but let us not forget that the original Tellstick comes with
nothing more complicated than some free software to download. Once your
initial set up is complete, that's it. We use it to control devices in
our office and it really is straight forward to set up. Our devices are
controlled using Bye Bye Standby smart sockets
available
here.
Start saving money on
your heating bill. Pretend you're home when you're actually on holiday
by turning the lights on. Put out all those annoying little standby
lights. Tellstick lets you
manage
your home energy usage, how and when you please.
Read the Tellstick manual
here.
