Control4 Strives To Be the OS of Choice for Smart Homes With 2.0
July 12, 2010

Control4, the second most used home automation manufacturer among top custom installers, announced the release of OS 2.0 in the first half of 2010 at the CES show in January. They delivered on schedule by rolling out version 2.0.0 to Dealers the week before the 4th of July weekend celebration, positioning them to offer the new software to customers after the holiday weekend.

Interestingly enough, Control4 has encouraged Dealers to leave existing customers on the transition 1.8 release unless they have a compelling need to move to OS 2.0 now for new functionality. If you do move to OS 2.0 now, expect to pay a $399 one-time license fee for the new software unless you purchased your system on or after Dec. 24, 2009.

As mentioned in an earlier article, Control4 has been preparing Dealers and the customer base to move to the ZigBeePro implementaton of the IEEE 802.15.4 specification since the summer of '09. Most Control4 hardware devices ship now with ZigBeePro only firmware, as do third party products like Kwikset Door Locks.

OS 2.0 will eventually allow dealers to further customize the on-screen flash interface to individual homeowner needs. The new 4Store screen shown above, includes everything from weather and Facebook apps to first aid and door lock usage monitoring apps. Control4 has offered a $10,000 prize to incent developers of 4Store apps, and claims new apps are being added every week.

Other new features of OS 2.0 include:
• Additional ZigBee Pro improvements
• New media database, media scanning functionality
• AAC codec support
• Zones page improvements
• Custom Home pages
• Favorites
• Macros
• Programmatic Page Flips
• Whole-home access in Flash Navigator
• Secure Connections Only (SSL)
• Locale (Internationalization)
• Hide/Show/Order Lights and Lighting Scenes
• Off state for Lighting Scenes
• Certified device drivers visibility
• Programming Detective
• WPA Support

Without a doubt OS 2.0 has moved Control4 and its Dealers into a new realm of operation with licensed software that can be easily purchased by the Dealers with a credit card, thus speeding delivery to customers. And ComposerPro licenses which should curtail unauthorized use of the Dealer software.

But, unless you're an early adopter type or need support only available in 2.0.0, you'll likely save yourself from an unwanted issue or two by waiting until the 2.0.40 release or so to jump on OS 2.0.