Techno Toys

Most everyday there are news reports about a new Techno Toy or widget.  Recently, Apple has had reports that it will be offering iPhones through Verizon as well as for ATT wireless networks.  Other tech companies offer their versions of “smart phones” such as the Android from Google.  The smart phones have legions of developers working to develop “Apps” that run on the phones in question that do most every task that is done on a PC or Mac.

There are also “tablet computers” such as the iPad that are a bit of the intermediary between a full blown desk top or lap top computer but seem to offer a little more ease of use and are a little larger than the various smart phones.  Many software companies offer tablet versions of their best selling desktop applications for use on the tablets.   New functions for the smart phones come every day.  Smart phone users are surfing the internet as they go about their business just as if they were sittng at a desk in the office or at home.

As fast and furious as the smart phone and tablet applications come along, there do appear to be some functions that have not yet made it to these pieces of technology.  So far, there are only a couple applications available that will allow the smart phone or tablet to operate as an automatic garage door opener for example.  However, setup is complex, and so far the apps are particularly problematic. Although it is  possible that these applications have in fact been created and publicized but have already been replaced in the news by another new application that starts the coffee pot in the morning or one that changes the baby’s diaper when necessary.

There do seem to be a few problems that might make it a little more difficult to create phone apps that function as automatic garage door openers.  For example, most automatic garage door openers operate using radio frequency or some other form of electronic pulse, radio wave, or microwave so any phone application would have to be able to generate the proper frequency and style of signal in order for the garage door to open or close properly.

Beyond that, once the smart phone application is set up to be an automatic garage door opener, what does the homeowner do in case of a problem?  Does he call the garage door repairman or does he take the phone into the phone company technician to do the repair?  Or does he just download a software patch for the app online?

So as smart as the smart phones are becoming, it is still probably sometime in the future before they can perform ALL functions around the home and replace all the other little technical devices in use.