Home Automation

Elevating Home Automation with Josh.ai: An In-Depth Overview

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, smart homes have gained significant popularity due to their convenience, efficiency, and seamless living experience. Among the many players in the home automation realm, Josh.ai emerges as a sophisticated and customizable platform that aims to revolutionize our interaction and control of smart homes....
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Are You Ready to Party Outdoors?

This post is devoted to outdoor entertainment. Spring is here–and summer is coming soon! Are you ready? Don’t wait several months only to realize there isn’t enough time, or the supply chain problem still exists…let’s do this now! This is the perfect time to assess, plan and install elements that...
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How to Keep Your Technology Systems Working

If you have A/V equipment in your home or business, it’s likely at some point it will need service. From minor issues to major headaches–or even preventative maintenance to ensure continuous performance–the best thing is to plan ahead. At IDS our goal is to keep you connected, with technology that...
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Home Technology in the Age of COVID-19

With COVID-19 still a serious threat, restrictions and caution have us continuing to spend more time at home. From work to play, our technology needs have changed greatly and the way we use our technology has been impacted as well. Below is a list of elements of technology to review...
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Change Passwords When Selling or Buying a New Home

If you are selling your home or buying a new home, changing smart home, automation, security and Wi-Fi passwords and access is often an overlooked task. Within the busyness of financial transactions and the logistics of packing and moving, this important factor can be inadvertently pushed aside. This can cause...
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A Home Theater Can Be the Coolest Room in Your Home

You’re at a point in your life where you’re ready to take the home technology entertainment plunge. You’ve decided to install a home theater. Congratulations! Why not take your movies/TV shows/streaming entertainment to the next level? You deserve it! Before you put on your swimsuit, remember two words: Professional Installation....
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How to Eliminate Aesthetic Technology Pollution

Admit it; you love your entertainment technology. Where would we be without TV and music? They enhance, educate and entertain us. Movies, shows, streaming series and sports, along with a variety of music and sound are a major form of entertainment for many. What happens, though, when you’re not watching...
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How Motorized Window Treatments Change Your Life

Has this ever happened to you? You and the family just sat down to stream your favorite series on your gorgeous big screen TV and you realize there’s an annoying glare in the room. After waving your hands frantically in front of where you believe the source is, you find...
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Do You Have the Right Lighting for Outdoor Entertaining?

It’s that wonderful time of year! We are spending more time outside and starting to entertain outdoors as well. Swimming, playing and relaxing are on the menu as well as patio dining, outdoor movie nights, and parties. Are YOU ready? If you can’t shout a resounding ‘heck, yeah!’ then you...
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The Coolest Whole House Music System

Has this happened to you?—you’re listening to your favorite song on your little Bluetooth speaker and you walk to another part of your house. When you return your song is, well, over. Or you want to have your favorite podcast playing outside while you prepare for entertaining. We feel you....
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Why Builders, Designers and Architects Need a Professional AV Company

If you’re an industry professional—builder, contractor, designer, architect—you’ll want to consider working with a professional AV company for your clients’ home technology needs. It’s important for several reasons: –If you’re building a home, you want to work with an AV company that works with YOU. You’ll gain control of the...
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Have You Watched Your Home Lately?

Isn’t it a perfect time of year for a getaway? You’re ready for sunshine, white beaches, gentle ocean waves lapping at the shore…you get the idea. It’s easy enough to book a vacation, but have you given thought to securing your home while you are away? Installing a few do-it-yourself...
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How You Can Maximize Outdoor Entertainment Time Into the Fall

By the time September rolls around, most people close their pools, cover the patio furniture, and pull out all the cozy blankets for football season…watched from inside their homes. What if we told you there was another way to enjoy football (or movies or shows)? You can extend your outdoor...
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How Control4 Makes Home Automation Awesome

Picture this. You arrive home, and with one touch, your lights come on, the shades close, and your favorite music starts to play. As the sun sets, your porch light goes on, and at 9pm your home security system is armed. Sounds sweet, right? It is! At IDS, Control4 is...
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Why You Need OvrC Cloud-Based Remote Support for Electronic Devices

  If you’re not already familiar with OvrC, you have some catching up to do. OvrC is an awesome, cloud-based support for maintaining and servicing all of your electronic and networking equipment. It’s another way of ensuring that you get the most out of your home’s technology. What does that...
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This Could Happen To You (or Why You Need a Professional to Install Your Home Technology Systems)

Can you imagine being left with this bird’s nest after investing time, money and energy to design new technology throughout your home? Home theater, home automation, security system, Wi-Fi networks, whole-home music. Sounds heavenly, right? Not if this tangled web of unprofessionalism is what you’re left with. Who does this?...
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You’ve Got to Incorporate A/V Planning in Your New Home or Renovation

Are you building a new home or a vacation home? Planning a major renovation of your current home? Congratulations! But—wait! Have you thought about how you’re going to handle your technology? We’re talking about integrating your home Wi-Fi, security system, home automation and entertainment throughout your home. During renovations and...
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Why You Really Want Whole House Music

It’s the holidays! Joy, cheer and of course, holiday music! You’re expecting guests and everyone in your home is preparing. Dad is making appetizers in the kitchen, mom is finishing soaking in the tub, and the kids are doing their thing in their rooms. Imagine the same scenario but this...
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Why Your Home Theater Should Be Professionally Installed

You mounted your new 4K OLED TV on the wall. The amazing speakers you bought are placed strategically on tables or the floor around the TV. Your Netflix subscription is up to date, and you’ve got a brand new Blu-ray Disc player. You somehow ran wires and hid them in...
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Why Home Automation is the Coolest Gift for the Holidays

When you think of home automation, you might imagine it’s just a way to adjust the lights and set your alarm system. Is that really all there is? Not at all! Home automation is a lifestyle change that eases and simplifies the way you can enjoy your home and surroundings....
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Get smart about carbon monoxide

Get smart about carbon monoxide! With Fall coming you’ll spend more time indoors, and as the weather cools you’ll turn your heating system back on, get a nice fire going in the fireplace, and you’ll start warming up your car before heading out. Part of your transition to cooler weather...
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The pre-vacation home security checklist you need to read

You’re going away! You’ve waited months—possibly longer—for your perfect vacation. Time to pack your bags, board your pets (unless they’re coming!), grab the kids and get away. Is your home truly protected and did you take enough precautions to ensure the safety of your home while you’re gone? Below is a...
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Why you need a service plan for your home technology

Congratulations! Your beautiful home theater was installed. Your Wi-Fi was upgraded, music has been installed throughout your home, and it’s all been integrated through home automation. You’ve also installed a complete security system along with surveillance cameras. Everything is perfect. You’re watching, streaming, listening, monitoring…and thoroughly enjoying your electronic lifestyle....
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