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Competitive Feature Comparison Chart

The following tables describe, in detail, the features and functionality of the major Mac-based Home Automation systems and the standalone SmartLinc controller from SmartLabs. Note that if a product supports AppleScript or other scripting environments some features may be available only via scripts. Unless otherwise noted, we've explicitly avoided marking a feature/function as built-in if the only way to access that function is via a script. However, if a plugin architecture is available that allows 3rd parties to add functionality without writing scripts (making it accessible to users of all skills) then we've included those.

If you have any suggestions/comments about the charts please email the The date of the last update was January 11th, 2012.

General Features

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Street Price (in USD) 179.95 89.95 79.00 35.00 149.95 34.951 129.99
Version Compared 5.0 5.0 2.2.3 2.0 6.2 225 2.0
1The widget is free with the purchase of the TrickleStar controller.
Online Help ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X X
Variables ✓ ✓ X X ✓2 X X
Automatic Version Checking ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ X
Voice Commands ✓3 X ✓ X ✓3 X X
Reusable Action Collections ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Multiple Actions per Trigger or Schedule ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X ✓
Client/Server Architecture (Remote Management) ✓ X X X X X X4
2 Via properties assigned to devices.
3 Using Speakable Items Folder.
4 SmartLinc management is done through a web browser, but isn't client/server.

Interface Features

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Native iOS Application ✓ ✓ ✓1 ✓ X X ✓
Native Mac Client Application ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓2 ✓ X3 X
Advanced controls based on device type (thermostat, sprinkler, IO device, etc) ✓ X X X X X ✓
Object Organization into Folders ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓4
Event Log Window ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ ✓ X
Custom Graphical Pages (i.e. floorplan, etc.) ✓ X X X ✓ X X
Web User Interface ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓5 X ✓
Easy & secure remote access from anywhere (no router/port configuration needed) ✓6 ✓6 X X X X X
1 Support for remotely controlling X10 devices provided through the 3rd party application for $9.99.
2 Shion is installed as a Menu Bar application, so it's windows float with Finder windows and it doesn't have it's own menu bar.
3 The TrickleStar application is a Dashboard Widget.
4 SmartLinc requires you to organize devices into "Rooms".
5 The 3rd party application X2Web is available for $39.95 as an add-on to Xtension.
6 Requires a subscription to the 3rd party service GoPrism.com, currently in free beta.

Diagnostic Features

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Event Logging ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X
Custom Log Entry Labels ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Daily Log Files ✓ ✓ X ✓ ✓ X X
Log to SQLite Database ✓ X X X X X X
Log to PostgreSQL Database ✓ X X X X X X

Home Automation Technology Support

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
INSTEON (See INSTEON tab for support specifics) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓
Z-Wave ✓1 X X X ✓2,3 ✓ X
X10 (See X10 tab for support specifics) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓
LightwaveRF ✓4 X X X X X X
Universal Powerline Bus (UPB) X X X X ✓2,5 X X
1 Via 3rd party plugin to the MiCasaVerde Vera controllers.
2 There are no publicly available documents describing what devices or features are supported and how, so until such documentation is available this is the only information available.
3 Z-Wave support in beta.
4 Via 3rd party plugin.
5 UPB support in beta.

Extensibility

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Python Object Model ✓ X X X X X X
AppleScript Support ✓ X ✓ X ✓1 X X
Public Plugin API/SDK ✓ X ✓2 X X X X
1 There are a significant number of AppleScript commands but no AppleScript object model.
2 Plugins for the built-in web server only.

Device State Change Trigger Events (irrespective of underlying protocol/technology)

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
On State (ON/OFF) ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Brightness Level ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Thermostat Temp and Setpoint Changes ✓ X X X X X X
Thermostat Mode Changes ✓ X X X X X X
Thermostat Fan Changes ✓ X X X X X X
Thermostat Connected Equipment State Changes ✓ X X X X X X
Sprinkler Zone Changes ✓ X X X X X X

Computer/System Trigger Events

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Power Failure ✓ ✓ X X ✓ X X
Interface Connection Initialized ✓ ✓ X X ✓ X X
Interface Connection Failure ✓ ✓ X X ✓ X X
Email Received ✓ X X X X X X
Variable Changed ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Application Starts ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓1 X
Application Quits X X ✓ X ✓ ✓ X
Mac Wakes X X ✓ X X ✓ X
Mac About to Sleep X X ✓ X X ✓ X
User Switches Away X X ✓ X X X X
User Switches Back X X ✓ X X X X
1 Accomplished via "when computer turns on/off"

Schedule Capabilities

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Time: Fixed Time ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Time: Sunrise/Sunset +- minutes ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Time: Recurring Time (every X hours/minutes) ✓ ✓ X X ✓ X X
Time Randomization ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ X X
Date: Fixed (Single) Date ✓ ✓ X X ✓ X X
Date: Every X Days ✓ ✓ X X ✓ X X
Date: Days of Week ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓1 ✓
Date: Days of Month ✓ X X X X X X
Date: On the Nth Day (first Sunday, last Thursday, etc.) ✓ X X X X X X
Repeat: Every Year, Month, Week (every other week, every 3rd month) ✓ X X X X X X
Repeat: Start and End Dates ✓ X ✓ X ✓ X X
1 Allows either "weekdays" or "weekends."

Schedule and Trigger Conditionals

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Always ✓ ✓ X X X X X
If dark ✓ ✓ X X X X X
If daylight ✓ ✓ X X X X X
If current time is greater than/less than/between/not between ✓ ✓ X X X X X
If current date is equal to/not equal to/between/not between ✓ ✓ X X X X X
If variable is true/is false/equal to/not equal to/greater than/less than ✓ ✓ X X X X X
If device state is true/is false/equal to/not equal to/greater than/less than ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Graphically designed complex hierarchical conditions with and/or/not logic ✓ ✓ X X X X X
If embedded AppleScript returns true ✓ X X X X X X

Actions

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Control Device ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓
Delay Action Processing ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X X
Send Email ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X X
Text-to-Speech Announcements ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ X X
Execute Action Group/Scene ✓ ✓ X ✓1 ✓ X X
Enable/Disable Devices, Triggers and Schedules ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Reset Interface Connections ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Open File/URL and Run Shell Script ✓ X ✓ X X X X
Send Growl Notification ✓ X X X X X X
Run Embedded Python Script ✓ X X X X X X
Run Embedded AppleScript ✓ X ✓ X ✓ X X
Run Python Script File ✓ X X X X X X
Run AppleScript File ✓ X ✓ ✓ X X X
Send Instant Message X X ✓ X X X X
1 Shion uses snapshots to create scenes.

INSTEON Specific Features

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Remote INSTEON Link Management ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓1
INSTEON Address Discovery (watch for set button press) ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓
Automatic PowerLinc Device Linking (allows app to see all traffic with no manual linking) ✓ ✓ X X X X N/A
INSTEON Group/Scene Support ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓
Reset 2414U Internal Program ✓ ✓ X X X X N/A
Set default brightness/ramp on supported modules ✓ ✓ X X X X X
1 Link management is done via adding a device to a scene - arbitrary link management isn't available.

Interface Support

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
PowerLinc 2414U ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X
PowerLinc 2414U Upload Support for offline operation ✓ ✓ X X X X X
PowerLinc 2414S X X ✓ X X X X
PowerLinc 2412U/S ✓ ✓ X X X X X
PowerLinc 2413U/S ✓ ✓ X X X X X
PowerLinc 2448A7 ✓ ✓ X X X X X
PowerLinc 2412N X X X X X X ✓

Controller Device Support (can trigger based on buttons pressed on these controllers - on/off, instant on/off, dim, brighten, and All *)

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
KeypadLinc V2 (Dimmer and Relay) ✓ ✓ X X X X X
KeypadLinc Dual-band (Dimmer and Relay) ✓ ✓ X X X X X
ControLinc ✓ ✓ X X X X X
RemoteLinc ✓ ✓ X X X X X
RemoteLinc 2 (switch, 4 scene, 8 scene) ✓ ✓ X X X X X

Dimmable/Light Device Support

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
SwitchLinc Dimmers ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓
ToggleLinc Dimmers ✓ ✓ X ✓ X X ✓
KeypadLinc Dimmers ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓
LampLincs ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓
ICON Dimmer Switches ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓
ICON Lamp Modules ✓ ✓ X ✓ X X ✓
OutletLinc Dual-band Dimmers ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓
In-LineLinc Dimmers ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓

Relay (non-dimming) Device Support

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
SwitchLinc Relays ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓
ToggleLinc Relays ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓
ICON On/Off Switches ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓
KeypadLinc Relays ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓
ApplianceLincs ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X ✓
ApplianceLinc Outdoor ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓
ICON Appliance Modules ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X ✓
OutletLincs ✓ ✓ X ✓ X X ✓
In-LineLinc Relays ✓ ✓ X ✓ X X ✓
EZSwitch30 ✓ ✓ X X X X X

Thermostat, Sprinkler, IR, and RF Device Support

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Thermostat Adaptor ✓ X X ✓ X X ✓
EZFlora Sprinkler ✓ X X X X X ✓
IRLinc Receiver ✓ ✓ X X X X X
IRLinc Transmitter ✓ ✓ X X X X X
EZUIRT ✓ ✓ X X X X X
EZSnsRF ✓ ✓ X X X X X
EZX10RF ✓ ✓ X X X X X

Sensor Device Support

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Motion Sensor ✓ ✓ X X X X X
TriggerLinc ✓ ✓ X X X X X
iMeter Solo ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓
SynchroLinc ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓

I/O Device Support

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
I/O Linc ✓ X X X X X ✓
EZIO* ✓ X X X X X X

Light Trigger Events

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
On ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X X
Instant On (double tap) ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Off ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X X
Instant Off (double tap) ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Brighten ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Dim ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Status Changed Broadast ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Any Command ✓ ✓ X X X X X

I/O Device Trigger Events

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Any Binary Output Changed ✓ X X X X X X
Binary Output N becomes on/becomes off/has any change ✓ X X X X X X
Any Binary Input Changed ✓ X X X X X X
Binary Input N becomes on/becomes off/has any change ✓ X X X X X X
Any Analog Input Changed ✓ X X X X X X
Analog Input N becomes =/becomes not =/becomes >/becomes </has any change ✓ X X X X X X
Sensor Input N becomes =/becomes not =/becomes >/becomes </has any change ✓ X X X X X X

Thermostat Trigger Events

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Any Temperature Changed ✓ X X X X X X
Zone N Temperature becomes =/becomes not =/has any change ✓ X X X X X X
Zone N Temperature becomes >/becomes not < ✓ X X ✓ X X X
Any Humidity Change ✓ X X X X X X
Zone N Humidity becomes =/becomes not =/becomes >/becomes </has any change ✓ X X X X X X
Heat/Cool Setpoint becomes =/becomes not =/becomes >/becomes </has any change ✓ X X X X X X
Operation Mode Changed to Off/Heat/Cool/Auto/Program Heat/Program Cool/Program Auto ✓ X X X X X X
Fan Mode Changed to Auto On/Always On ✓ X X X X X X

Sprinkler Trigger Events

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Active Zone Name becomes =/not =/has any change ✓ X X X X X X
Zone N becomes on/off/has an change ✓ X X X X X X

Power Line and RF Interface Support

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
PowerLinc 1132A ✓ ✓ X X ✓ X X
PowerLinc 1132U ✓ ✓ X X ✓ X X
PowerLinc 1132CU ✓ ✓ X X ✓ X X
PowerLinc 1132CU Upload Support ✓ ✓ X X X X X
ActiveHome Pro (CM15/HA125) ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ X X
ActiveHome Pro (CM15/HA125) Upload Support X X ✓ X X X X
CM11/HD11/CM11/HD12/RCA/IBM Home Director ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X
CM11/HD11/CM12/HD12/RCA/IBM Home Director Upload Support X X ✓ X X X X
LynX-PLC ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ X X
LynX-Port X X X X ✓ X X
CM19/CM17/FireCracker X X ✓ X ✓ X X
CM10 X X ✓ X X X X
CM10 Upload Support X X ✓ X X X X
CP-290 X X ✓ X X X X
MR26 ✓ ✓ X X ✓ X X
W800RF ✓ ✓ X X ✓ X X
RFXCOM ✓1 ✓1 X X ✓ X X
1 Only supported in W800 emulation mode.

Device Support

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
RCS TX16B/TX15B Thermostat X1 X X X X2 X X
Rain8MB Sprinkler Controller ✓ X X X X2 X X
Rain8II Sprinkler Controller ✓ X X X X2 X X
IrrMaster Pro Sprinkler Controller ✓ X X X X2 X X
IrrMaster Sprinkler Controller ✓ X X X X2 X X
Standard X10 Dimmers / Lamp Modules3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓
Extended Command X10 Dimmers4 ✓ ✓ ? X ✓ X X
Standard X10 Relay Switches / Appliance Modules3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓
Wireless RF X10 controllers3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X
Wireless RF X10 motion sensors3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X
Powerflash Interface (digital input/contact closure)3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X
Universal Module PUM01 low voltage controller3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X
DS10A Door/Window Sensor X1 X X X X2 X X
Marmitek Shutter Switch SW10 ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ X X
1 Functionality provided via included attachment AppleScript.
2 Xtension doesn't attempt to identify specific device type or category so there is no specific device UI - most X10 devices should work if they respond to standard X10 commands.
3 Basic X10 devices all work fundamentally the same way so special support isn’t usually needed.
4 A few X10 devices use extended X10 commands to make dim/brighten work more smoothly. It’s unclear what the Indigo competitors support in this regard, which is why you’ll see a question mark for some.

Light Trigger Events

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
On ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X
Off ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X
Brighten ✓ ✓ X ✓ X X X
Dim ✓ ✓ X ✓ X X X
Preset Dim ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Extended Data ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Status On Response ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Status Off Response ✓ ✓ X X X X X
All Off ✓ ✓ X X X X X
All Lights On ✓ ✓ X X X X X
All Lights Off ✓ ✓ X X X X X
A/V Button Pressed ✓ ✓ X X X X X
Any Command ✓ X X X X X X

Audio Video Device Support

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
DIRECTV DVR Control ✓ X X X X X X
Global Caché IR/Serial Devices ✓1 X X X X X X
Russound RNET capable Receivers ✓1 X X X X X X
Sonos Control ✓1 X X X X X X
1 Via 3rd party plugins.

Thermostat and Weather Device Support

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
1-wire (temperature sensors) ✓1 X ✓2 X X X X
Proliphix IP Thermostats ✓3 X X X X X X
3M Filtrete Networked Thermostats ✓3 X X X X X X
Weather Station Hardware ✓4 X X X X X X
1 Supported via EZIO8S and 3rd party plugins.
2 Supported via the HA7Net.
3 Via 3rd party plugin.
4 Via WeatherSnoop plugin

Security Device Support

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
DSC Alarm Panels ✓1 X X X X X X
Honeywell/Ademco Alarm Panels (via VistaCM or AD2USB) ✓1 X X X X X X
NetworX (Caddx) Alarm Panels ✓1 X X X X X X
RFID Readers ✓1 X X X ✓ X X
Video Cameras ✓2 X X X ✓ X ✓3
1 Via 3rd party plugins.
2 Video camera images may be displayed within web and Indigo Touch interfaces. Camera control is offered via 3rd party plugins.
3 Video camera images may be displayed within the web interface for the SmartLinc but no camera control is offered.

Generic I/O and Data Acquisition Device Support

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Bit Whacker Boards X X X X ✓ X X
EasyDAQ Relay Cards ✓ X X X X X X
Generic Network Devices ✓1 X X X X X X
Max Sonar X X X X ✓ X X
Phidgets IO Devices ✓1 X X X X X X
Weeder Modules X X X X ✓ X X
1 Via 3rd party plugins.

Other Device Support

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
RFXCOM RFXtrx Multifunction RF Transceiver ✓1 X X X X X X
TED 1000 Series Energy Management System ✓2 X X X X X X
TED 5000 Series Energy Management System ✓2 X X ✓ X X X
UPS Support X X X X ✓ X X
Zodiac (formerly Jandy) Aqualinc Pool Controller ✓2 X X X X X X
1 Via vendor-supplied plugin.
2 Via 3rd party plugins.

Application and Data Integration

  Indigo Pro Indigo Lite Thinking Home Shion XTension Trickle Star SmartLinc
Airfoil Control ✓ X X X X X X
iCal Alarm Processing ✓ X X X X X X
Growl Notifications ✓ X X X X X X
iTunes ✓ X X X X X X
NOAA Weather ✓ X X X X X X
Phone Location Tracking ✓1 X X X X X X
SecuritySpy (Video Surveillance) Control ✓1 X X X X X X
SMS Processing (sending and receiving) ✓1 X X X X X X
Weather Underground (via WeatherSnoop) ✓ X X X X X X
1 Via 3rd party plugins.

 




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