after reading Chiccy's post about bluetooth printers. Im after something and just wondered if they even existed and where I can get one from:

• wifi or bluetooth light switch that I can access though my wireless network and control from my laptop or via bluetooth on my mobile (Nokia N80).

also feel free to post any other homethings that can be controlled via a laptop on a wireless network

Thanks

Waddi

You can get anything and everything controlled by a home network, be it wired or wireless, its just a question of cost.

I know of a company that will setup everything in your home for control via things like phones and remotes, all running via 802.11G, but it can cost anywhere between £2000 and £15,000 depending on the complexity of the setup you want.

also can I get my mobile to act as my house phone whilst Im within the vicinity. either using bluetooth or wi-fi.

does this company have a name or website matty, so that I can see what they can do and what I could afford.

thanks

I will find out for ye fella, cant remember the name of them off the top of my head, but someone I know was considering getting a setup by them, till they quoted him six grand for what he wanted and he ran a mile lol.

Thats the only way I found out about them.

Personally, the only reason for getting summit like it done, is if you have money to burn imho, it doesnt really make sense otherwise, as it adds no value to your property really, and offers very little in the way of advantages.

You can get remote controlled dimmer switches from the Argos... but firstly they can work with ES light bulbs and secondly, is it really that that hard to turn a light on lol.

With regards to the housephone, you could always get your N80 to be a VOIP phone when at home via the Wifi, or for a proper solution, get BT Fusion, which is a modern mobile, but when you are within range of the Fusion base, the calls go over your landline instead of the mobile network.

Ah VOIP, Can someone explain this please, If I connect my N80 to the wifi network and use it as a VOIP phone, what charges does it incure and who bills me for them. or is it treated as a landline call and billed by my landline provider. I havent a clue sorry.

as for the wireless home thing, just seen that Moreton alarms on the dock road do a wireless alarm system that (with a optional extra added) can control house hold appliances click here. dont know how good it is tho

VOIP is nice and simple to be honest. I dont use it as my mobile minutes more then cover my usage, but if they didnt, I would probably consider it.

Basically, you pay a VOIP provider and make calls over their network, you can usually call other people using their VOIP services for free, and sometimes you can call landlines for free, it depends on the company and service you are on.

Instead of routing the calls over the tradition phone network, as the name suggests its router over the internet, to the exchange, where the calls are then delivered to the home phone of the reciepent.

In general it works well, and it can work out a LOT cheaper then using a standard landline or mobile phone. Especially for international calls.

I know people who use their mobiles for making VOIP calls over GPRS/UMTS rather then over the mobile itself nowadays as it works out so cheap.

A good place to start is with Skype, they are the biggest, though not nessescairly the best or cheapest. I dunno if they offer phone software, but I know on the N95, it has its own VOIP software, which you can setup to use with most major VOIP providers.

Waddi search for "Home Automation" on google i had a set up years ago.

It connects via a serial port on your PC i would expect USB now
and you can control your lights plugs what ever has the receiving socket.

It works on the Earth Wire in you Home electrics.
I wanted it for the fun factor but there was a flaw in my plan.

I wanted to pre boil the kettle before i went down stairs to
make a brew
It worked if the kettle was cold as i couldn't reset a hot
kettle
This was at the kettle and not the switch.

I expect its come on along way now since then.
You can also buy units where you can phone in and turn the
lights on and off or activate the heating.

It all sounds great but you have to had the required
switches fitted
So if you read control any of the lights in your home,
well you can if all of them have the adapter fitted lol.

Hope that helps with the lazy man quest lol

Back in 2000 waddi it cost me for the stuff which is only
plug in things £120 for a light dimmer, 2 13amp switches and the controller unit and software.

http://www.letsautomate.com/
this looks familiar but there are hundreds to choose from.

http://www.letsautomate.com/10075.cfm?

Scroll down that page

x10 is the key word for that system