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[Steevo]

Apparently the new company that owns X10 now will be bringing it all back. They are even doing new engineering.

That's hopeful. 

http://www.x10.com/about-us/

About X10

The X10 and X10 Pro product lines are the original home automation source for end-users, installers, contractors and the do-it-yourself market. X10 began manufacturing home automation components in the late 1970's and has been the de facto standard since its inception. Other products have come and gone but X10 and X10 Pro have stood the test of time. Reliability and ease of use are the primary reasons these product lines have been going strong for over 40 years.

Recently, X10 WTI (the parent company of x10.com) has dealt with a multitude of challenges and the decision was made to cease operations on July 26, 2013. Since that time we at Authinx, the largest distributor of X10 home automation products in North America, were able to increase our factory orders to accommodate demand for X10 products and allow for a smoother transition after WTI’s bankruptcy. Authinx has been in business since 2001. We are firmly committed to supporting the X10 community of users, whether you are a loyal X10 customer or just now discovering the benefits of X10 products. As we expand our production capacity, our goal is to provide an unparalleled level of service to our customers. We are currently in the process of adding additional staff to make this happen.

In order for us to continue reaching x10 brand customers we recently purchased x10.com domain name. Although the site name is the same as before, we are in no way associated with X10 WTI.

Now, as the largest supplier of X10 home automation products in North America, Authinx will be able to continue providing home automation enthusiasts the products and support they need. Our commitment to the home automation market is our guiding principle as we continue to invest in the X10 and X10 Pro product lines. X10 is the original home automation product and Authinx is dedicated to making it the next generation of home automation products for existing and future customers as well.


On the Horizon

We are trying to fully bring X10 back online and improve on what was already there. Below are some of the things we are working on here at X10.com:
     

    Reactivation of the ActiveHome Software - Activehome servers are currently offline. X10 WTI had this software hosted on dedicated servers. During X10 WTI's Bankruptcy, these servers were shut down and alot of the data was lost. We are working with networking and database professionals to try to gather this broken data and get ActiveHome back online. We are doing all we can to re-enable this software for past and future X10 customers.


    Bringing back New and Improved Airsight Cameras - Airsight cameras were affordable IP Cameras with a lot of functionality baked in. We are working to better the experience with including EasyScan functionality on all cameras to make setup an easier process. We will be receiving an initial shipment of indoor, outdoor and HD cameras from the manufacturer shortly. We will be sure to advertise them on our front page once they become available for purchase.


    Improving the Overall Functionality and Design of the Core X10 Automation Units - We plan to continue to improve on the already successful X10 Home Automation Units. This means improving funtionality, reliability and even asthetics of the X10 Switches, Modules and Controllers. We are starting with the XPS3 Relay Switch. This is one of the more popular X10 switches. It can control incandescent and alternative lighting like Halogen, LED, and Flourescent bulbs. It can also control appliances. We are replacing that relay with a quieter and more reliable relay that also has AGC (Automatic Gain Control). The AGC will help improve noise levels surrounding the switch to help the switch receive X10 signals. The new relay will also make the switch operate at a much quieter level.


    NEW and Exciting X10 Products - X10 is the 'Grandfather' of Home Automation. Though the product is still as brilliant as it was when introduced in the 70's, there is more that can be done to help bring it into the future. We are starting with a wifi module. We want to circumvent the need for a desktop computer to control your home automation. This unit will work with your Wi-Fi to control your home automation and X10 from any of your smart phones and portable devices via an app which is also in development. We have just started the initial phases of this device, but are excited for its potential. Following with the same spirit of X10, we are trying to make this unit as affordable as possible. We have no date planned yet for this device, but will let you know as it gets closer via our front page.


    We Want YOUR Input! - We want to hear about ideas you have and any implementations or changes you would like to see! If you have an idea TELL US ABOUT IT!

[mike1]

This is great news, as I am dead in the water with my AHP. Hope the new company is able to get the servers back up on line. Also update the old controlers, switches etc.

[dave w]

[quote author=Steevo link=topic=28678.msg160540#msg160540 date=1390592

    We Want YOUR Input! - We want to hear about ideas you have and any implementations or changes you would like to see! If you have an idea TELL US ABOUT IT!

[/quote]

I still think a ceiling fan control module would be a good seller. It should use capacitor fan speed control so the motor won't hum and buzz. The light control should "play nice" with dimmable CFLs and LEDs.

Happy to see your commitment to bolstering X10 technology. I predicted it's death many times on the old X10 WTI board. Your commitment makes me think I may have to (gladly) eat my words. 

[dinosinc]

looking forward to getting some PTZ cameras

[babybearjs]

the one thing that I'd like to see is better pricing... the current pricing is too high for most and X10 needs to get back to basics with the entire line... the LCD clock unit is way too expensive and I'd like to buy another one but is just too costly...

[JeffVolp]

the one thing that I'd like to see is better pricing... the current pricing is too high for most and X10 needs to get back to basics with the entire line... the LCD clock unit is way too expensive and I'd like to buy another one but is just too costly...

That philosophy is what drove X10WTI into liquidation.  With most production in China and other low labor cost countries, people expect electronic devices to be incredibly cheap.  Labor costs in those countries are rising, and the purchasing power of the US dollar is falling.  Expect prices of electronic devices to continue to rise.

Several years ago I considered purchasing the X10 XPPF filter just for its case to house a new product I was developing.  The cost of the entire X10 filter was cheaper than I could purchase a blank case for.  My spreadsheet totals the cost of just the parts for the XTB-F10 filter at $23.30.  The parts list is available on-line, so just look up the component prices on Mouser.  The kit sells for $29, so there isn't much profit in there.

Parts for the XTB-232 cost $59.86.  Some of that is the custom machining for the case because our volume is not sufficient to justify a custom molded case.  Agreed that a company like X10 runs much higher volume than us, and takes advantage of large quantity discounts.  But the prices of X10 equipment are still a bargain when one considers what actually goes into that product.  The X10 timer is not just a chip, LCD display, and some time setting switches.  It has to include all the components necessary to receive and transmit X10 signals over the powerline.

I still remember that first Sears "Command Console".  It was a boxy version of the current Maxi Controller.  It cost $49.95 in 1970's dollars.  Back then the VW Rabbit was advertised for $3000.  Now what would that Command Console cost in today's dollars?  Maybe $200?  But we can purchase the Maxi Controller for less than $30.

I get frustrated when I see people complain about the prices of this equipment.  They just don't understand what goes into it.

Jeff