Major electronics companies join forces to make the future of smart homes a reality

Ever had that futuristic dream of controlling your home with your smartphone -- being able to switch on your lights, music player and heater while you are on your way home so your house is nice and cosy when you arrive?

Ever had that futuristic dream of controlling your home with your smartphone - being able to switch on your lights, music player and heater while you are on your way home so your house is nice and cosy when you arrive?

Well that reality is already here. A US-based company called Control4 is teaming up with major electronics manufacturers and mobile phone application designers to extend the list of gadgets and consumer electronic products that can be used with their Control4 Operating System for the Home.

Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, Sony, Yamaha, LG, Lutron lighting systems, MechoShade and PakEdge are just some of the companies who have joined Control4's Certification Programs to make your house smarter.

"Consumers want to extend the connected life throughout every product they touch, from entertainment to energy systems," said Will West, CEO and founder of Control4 in a press statement on January 6. "With major consumer electronic partners such as Sony, Pioneer, LG and others, we are extending the connected experience to basically every appliance in the home."

With the Control4 system home owners will be able to automate electronic devices within their homes remotely, from controlling the temperature and lighting with a smartphone application to monitoring security systems online. The Control4 system will at the same time help consumers to reduce their carbon footprint by encouraging smarter energy use.

There are currently over 5,000 products supported by the Control4 operating system. Control4's recent collaboration will see over 25 new products lines introduced in 2010.