Imp - WiFi for everything

Wired reports: [edited]

The Imps get down to business the moment you wake up: Your blinds automatically open, and your coffee maker starts brewing your favorite dark roast.

Throughout the day, the Imps assume control over other household technology. Your garage door sends you a text message confirming that it’s closed. Your fridge sends you a shopping list reminding you to buy milk. Your ambient room lighting changes color at dusk for a more moody vibe.

And when 9 p.m. rolls around, your dishwasher turns on to take advantage of cheaper utility rates.

What makes Electric Imp unique — and perhaps a better solution than others — is that it can work with any electronic device. You don’t need to lock into a relatively closed system from a single standards alliance.

The whole Imp service is based in the cloud, so there’s no need for a central controller or networking protocol. It’s incredibly easy to set up. And it’s inexpensive — Electric Imp has targeted its Imp boards (the hardware into which the Imp cards are slotted) to cost manufacturers less than a dollar.
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