Indigo, a Mac OS X home control server, updated to version 3
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
May 7, 2008 at 10:22am
Perceptive Automation has released version 3.0 of Indigo, the company’s intelligent home control and automation server for Mac OS X. New INSTEON Hardware support integrates thermostat, allows remote lighting scene management and operation after Mac is turned off, improves iPhone support and more.
Indigo now supports the new INSTEON Thermostat Adapter allowing wireless control of several Venstar thermostats. Mac users can now save energy and money by using Indigo’s flexible schedules and automation logic to control their home’s HVAC, according to Matt Bendiksen, president of Perceptive Automation. Additionally, using Indigo’s built-in web server, users can now remotely control their home’s thermostat from any web browser, including Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch Web browsers.
Indigo’s new INSTEON link and scene management editor gives users the power to remotely define links and lighting scenes between almost all INSTEON modules. Creating links or lighting scenes between keypads and multiple modules can now be done from Indigo. Additionally, with Indigo’s persistent link and two-way syncing features, users can automatically copy old link and scene information to a new replacement module with the press of a button.
Indigo can now upload user defined basic logic and schedules to the INSTEON PowerLinc 2414U computer interface, providing a solution for users who can’t leave their Mac running all of the time. The PowerLinc 2414U has a built-in clock and basic logic capabilities, and can even be used to turn lighting on or off at sunset and sunrise transitions that match the user’s geographical location.
Other new functionality introduced in Indigo 3.0 includes SQLite and PostgreSQL integration, a web server plug-in architecture, improved web server performance, refinements to the user interface, and support for new INSTEON hardware modules: OutletLinc, KeypadLinc Relay, EZIO6I Input Controller, EZX10RF Wireless Sensor Receiver, EZSwitch30, IRLinc Converter, and other advanced INSTEON modules.
Indigo provides native support for the INSTEON-enabled PowerLinc V2 (2414U) CM-11, LynX-PLC, MR26, and W800RF32. These computer interfaces allow Indigo to remotely communicate with INSTEON and X10 modules throughout the home over existing power lines, giving users remote programmable control over lights, appliances, thermostats, and sprinkler controllers. Additionally, Indigo provides integrated support for the Salling Clicker application and the Ovolab Phlink telephony device, allowing remote home control from Bluetooth-enabled devices or any touch-tone telephone.
Indigo 3.0 is available now for an introductory price of US$179.95 through the Perceptive Automation website. All Indigo 2.0 customers are eligible for a free upgrade, and all Indigo 1.x customers are eligible for a $90 credit toward the upgrade purchase of 3.0. Also available online is a 30-day trial copy of Indigo. Indigo runs on Mac OS X 10.4 or greater, and requires a supported INSTEON or X10 computer interface for controlling home lighting and appliance modules.
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Contributor
Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
