If you were around back in the 60's and 70's,you may remember commercials and TV shows about the home of the future, where everything would be automated.
Those commercials may be long gone, but the home of the future is finally here.
Some new DIY home security kits sold at Amazon and other stores will let you set up your own home security system, monitoring it through your smartphone and your home WiFi.
You can set up several cameras and link it to your phone for as little as $150.
Another option: Time Warner Cable's Intelligent Home system.
Kris Pedelty is one of the first people in Ohio to have a new system called " Intelligent Home" in her house, and she's in awe.
"I have 3 children," Pedelty said, "and doors are constantly opening, people are constantly coming and going,and this is a great way to keep track of what's going on in my house."
Full control of lights, A/C, and alarm
Technician Robert Kemper showed how your smartphone or tablet can remotely set your heat and air conditioning, and your alarm, and control who has access to your house.
"You can control who is coming in and out different times of day, Kemper said. "If someone comes just in the morning you can give them their own alarm code and only in the morning it will work, not if they come by at night."
You can watch a video feed of your front door, back door and garage 24 hours a day.
It also keeps a log of every time a door is opened. Wonder if the kids left the home at 9pm, when you were out? It will tell you exactly when your front door or garage door opened.
You can even turn lights on and off, from anywhere. Kemper tapped an icon on his iPad, and the living room light when on and off.
$39 a month, plus equipment
Time Warner Cable is now rolling out this Intelligent Home system in most areas it serves, though it has not said what will happen once it merges with Comcast in late 2014.
Other cable companies are watching, and may follow.
The cost is $39 a month, which a few bucks more than a basic home alarm. Outdoor cameras will cost about $100 each.
This may all still sound a bit farfetched to you, but remember that 5 years ago smartphones were pretty farfetched to most people.
And now more than half of all American adults have one. The future is coming, fast.
As always, don't waste your money.
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