Control4 Announces the iPad-like InfinityEdge

This New Touchscreen Has Advantages Over the iPad
August 27, 2010

As we previously wrote, Control4 has fully embraced the iPad, but is competing with the new InfinityEdge touch screens.

Julie Jacobson of CEPro recently interviewed Glen Mella, President of Control4, where he says: "Control4 has never felt that the iPad would put an end to dedicated touchscreens from home-control vendors. The iPad may spell the end of really expensive touchscreens. We were available with our Control4 My Home app on the day the iPad shipped. Frankly, we’re selling a lot of it."

    So what are the features of Control4's InfinityEdge touchscreens?

  • 5" and 7" models with sleek look and feel and edge-to-edge capacitive glass.
  • Low-profile magnet-mount for an easy and attractive installation.
  • Black and white models to match different decors.
  • Four customizable buttons to set favorite scenes with one touch.
  • Compatible with virtually any new or existing home with options in power (AC or PoE) and network connectivity (Ethernet or Wi-Fi)
  • InfinityEdge Touch Screens have full-featured intercom capability built-in
    So what are the advantages of InfinityEdge over the iPad?

  • Native support for Control4's OS 2.0 and Flash.
  • 4Store apps can be exposed through the Infinity touchscreens, but today not through the iPad.
  • You might pay up to $500 for an in-wall/on-wall iPad dock from a third-party provider. With the InfinityEdge, a mount is part of the package.
  • Four customizable buttons to set favorite scenes with one touch.
  • Comparable cost: iPad: $499 device + $250 wall mount + $99 Control4 My Home App = $848, while the 7-inch Control4 InfinityEdge lists for $899.

But, the iPad is still bigger, it’s mobile, it streams video, it has millions of awesome apps, it’s useful if you switch to a different home automation system, and it’s still a little or a lot cheaper depending on mounting preference.

Unless people want the intercom capability of the InfinityEdge (and don't mind paying another $499 for a site license), we think most will still pick the iPad!

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