Wednesday, 26 September 2012

You wouldn´t ask your builder to cut your hair?


So why ask your electrician to do your home automation system? 

We have all seen it no matter what our industry - there is always someone who thinks they can do your job even if it’s not their chosen profession. Now I am not saying you need to call in a professional for every little job but with projects of size and complexity the advice of a professional with knowledge of their specific sector and experience in the field during the installation process is invaluable.

Do people genuinely believe they are going to save money in the long term because quotes appear cheaper to start with?  A semi skilled mate is no substitute for someone with a working knowledge and ability to supply and execute solutions to a given situation within their area of expertise as they arise, surely?

One example I can strongly relate is what I refer to as my 'green fingered effort'. I have a medium sized terrace where I successfully grow more tomatoes than I can eat, a selection of herbs for the kitchen, bamboo for shade and jasmine to make it smell and look nice.  But in truth it is a functional garden that only works well in the summer months.
I always thought having a professional gardener is a nice idea but really there isn´t much to it if you have the time yourself. But having worked closely with professional gardeners over the past couple of years I can appreciate there is a definite skill to it.

Knowing what plants will look good together when they flower, ensure they are placed in the correct position to get the right light / shade ratio and plants that can handle the local environment to do properly is an art.
I have even been taught about “companion plants”, planting in groups where the plants help each other to thrive and repel insects.

So would I get a gardening company to come round and tend my terrace? Probably not, but I would if I moved to a house with a reasonable garden. I would want to know that my garden is in good hands, that they know how to make my garden “work” how I want it to and address any problems that might arise. Letting me to get on with what I am good at and just enjoying the garden for what it is in my down time.

Calling a company that specialise in the trade you want will ensure that you get the end result you desire, hassle free.

So if you are planning a home entertainment system then get advice from people in the know and not some faceless person on the internet, your mate in the pub or your electrician who can only supply a very basic solution.

Contact us at Future Lifestyle for your free, no obligation consultation. We promise not to give you any gardening tips!!

Monday, 17 September 2012

Leon speakers are cool.


Ok we could go into a big speech about the technical specs of the drivers they use or the fact the cabinets are handmade at their factory in Michigan USA. But that´s not what interests most people, most people want to know that they sound good and look fantastic.

Well Leon speakers tick all the boxes. Having heard them at the trade shows and in demo suites we knew that they not only packed a punch, but delivered a detail in the sound that would have discovering a new dimensions in your music or whilst watching a movie.
And their eye for design and presence of mind to be flexible enough to make their speakers fit the room and not just say “here they are, like it or lump it” having made them a hit with interior designers and the style conscious alike.

So when they asked to use some images from a Future Lifestyle installation in their new product catalogue we were understandably said “of course”. The images show what lengths Leon go to incorporate top end audio into modern interiors.

Due to the design of the fireplace in the lounge we were unable to install a conventional centre speaker below the screen, however the client did not want to compromise on the audio quality. So we installed Leon´s Profile 404-MC-X-A speakers. These speakers incorporate a driver in the left and right cabinets that form the centre channel. Not only that the cabinets were made to match the height of the screen at was being installed and were also colour matched to the wall.


The result is a fantastically sounding set up in a cool looking lounge.

 


A write up of the full installation used in the images will be available on our new website (coming soon) and for more information about the Leon range of speakers check out their website http://www.leonspeakers.com/pageflip/liquid-green/ or contact a member of the Future Lifestyle team at sales@futurelifestyle.es or on +34 902 107 227

Wednesday, 12 September 2012

Big changes a foot





With all the projects Future Lifestyle has completed over the past 18 months and the press coverage we have been receiving both locally and internationally we thought what better time to highlight it on a new look website.

The forthcoming website will incorporate a larger portfolio, a section of press releases and articles involving our installations as well as general updates showcasing our work and development of our work as a direct result of our market growth as our industry goes from strength to strength.

And as part of the new website launch there will be offers on various services and product releases. 

We´ll keep you posted - so watch this space → www.futurelifestyle.es

Smart Home Article


One of Future Lifestyle's installations has been officially recognised by Control4 by having one of its installations feature in their own international home technology magazine - 'Home Smart Home'. 

The article is in the autumn issue and available on the Home Smart Home' app or on the Control4 home page of their website.

Control4 had heard that we were pushing the boundaries of what is considered conventional home automation systems here in Spain and the American based company were keen to let the world know about our work. 


Having been installing the Control4 system for a number of years in southern Spain; from one room solutions to whole house control systems, the Future Lifestyle team are proud to be given this recognition from the manufacturer themselves..

Click here to read the article about Future Lifestyle or go to www.control4.com to look at the whole magazine.




Monday, 10 September 2012

The Next Step in Home Control Technology.....


Recently we have seen the development of Wi-Fi tablets and smartphones entering the market as the main controllers of home automation systems, complementing, and in some cases, replacing dedicated home automation touchscreens.

So where will evolving technology next take us in home control? Voice control and near field communications is the next step. Having followed the latest CEDIA expo in Indianapolis it is evident such products are only months away from being available to installers. 
 
One such company driving this technology forward is HouseLogix, an Allentown, PA-based installer and developer of home-automation software drivers, to add that company’s voice-control technology to Control4 systems. 

The company teamed up with Control4 and have confirmed they plan to offer wireless voice control over home systems connected to its home-automation systems.  


With the technology, consumers speak commands into a tabletop microphone/speaker called a VoicePod, which converts voice commands into control signals that are transmitted over wireless ZigBee to a Control4’s home-automation controller. The VoicePod, powered by household current, will recognize voice commands from across a room.



We for one are looking forward to getting to grips with this product and see what results are like. If you have checked out the links within this blog you can understand why....

Friday, 17 August 2012

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water!!!


...Jaws is back and this time in HD quality... Universal have chosen Jaws as one of 13 classic films to be digitally remastered and fully restored from 35mm original film as part of Universal’s 100th Anniversary celebration. I´m just glad they waited to the end of the summer before releasing it as I don´t think I would of gone to the beach at all this summer.


The Jaws restoration began with researching and evaluating the existing film elements to determine the best means to restore the film. Over the course of several months, skilled technicians at Universal Studios Digital Services meticulously balanced colour, removed dirt and scratches, and repaired any damage to the film elements shot by shot and frame by frame. Following the picture restoration, Universal Studios Sound team up-mixed the iconic Jaws soundtrack to DTS-HD Master 7.1. The entire restoration process was conducted in conjunction with Spielberg and Amblin Entertainment’s post-production team to ensure the integrity of Spielberg’s original vision remained intact.
 
There is a short documentary about the restoration is available on the disc and on youtube. It shows how the remastering process corrected drastic timing and colour differences from the original negative. 

The 2012 version of the film has a crisp resolution (especially the actors’ faces) and the improved contrast in the underwater sequences (shots of the nude swimmer during the opening scene were especially, um, revealing). The yellowed, Polaroid picture “gauze” familiar from frequent TV screening of the movie were replaced by colour-accurate, bright images, but the actors’ clothing was still distinctly “early ’70s”. And there’s nothing quite like the “buh dum, buh dum,” of John Williams’ famous score to set you on edge.

Look out for the release of Jaws in HD throughout the month of August. And to really enjoy the experience why not contact the guys down at Future Lifestyle to see how to create the perfect home cinema... 



Tuesday, 7 August 2012

64.2 surround sound!!!

The people down at Dolby are at it again... Their new Atmos system has arrived and is meant to be the most significant development in audio since the arrival of surround sound. 

Designed for movie theatres rather than the home use the Dolby® Atmos™ delivers audiences a more natural and realistic soundfield, transporting them into the story with a lifelike sensory experience. More speakers towards the front of the cinema and even speakers above enable the soundfield to create a more natural transition from front to back of the cinema.

Although Dolby Atmos is not designed for the home, any new technology in the cinema will filter down in some form to the home. Only being rolled out in a select few cinemas across the world to start off with, this new sound platform will become the norm in the near future.

Check their website for further details.

Wednesday, 25 July 2012

What a Whopper!!!!

In the war of “my TV is bigger than yours” Sharp has been winning in the LED/LCD TV category. Producing screens of 80 and 90-inch , but now a favourite of Future Lifestyle, Samsung is making a stand with its new 75-inch ES9000 series TV (UN75ES9000), which was unveiled in New York recently.

The new Samsung UN75ES9000 has the thin bezel-less design that we like and incorporates LED Edge-Lighting, along with Micro-Dimming, 2D and 3D compatibility (four pairs of glasses included), and extensive Smart TV features (both internet streaming and DLNAcontent access), supported by a built-in dual core processor.

In addition the ES9000 also has a built-inSkype-compatible camera for video phone calling, as well as support for gesture and face recognition control (mmmm not so sold on as yet) and voice recognition.
Another innovative feature of the new screen is Sound Share which provides Wireless Bluetooth streaming from compatible portable devices.

In the States the 75-inch UN75ES9000 is priced at $9,999, and is expected to be available in August (US).

But the festure that really caught our eye is the new gesture-enabled Angry Birds App, taking the most adictvie game to a whole new level... worth 10K just so you can play a game... maybe..

To read the Official Samsung Announcement click here

Friday, 20 July 2012

Welcome to the kitchen of the future

If you are of a certain age like some of the (older) members of the Future Lifestyle team you´ll remember the Jetsons. The futuristic family living in Orbit City, a floating apartment, with jet cars and robot housemaids.

Well we´re not quite there yet, but slowly parts of the Jetsons life are creeping into our everyday life. 
Most of us carry a small communication device that not only means we can talk to anyone anywhere in the world, but also listen to music on the go, watch TV and take photos. Flat screens able to connect to the internet and centralized music systems all controlled via wireless touch screens all are part of our normal day routine.

Now technology is making inroads to the kitchen allowing it to connect it with the rest of the home. Appliances that save energy or give you feedback on the status and make the whole kitchen experience a lot more pleasurable  


Have a read of the latest white paper from Control 4 here to see what the future holds for your kitchen. And for more information about how technology can change the way we live, work and play contact the team at Future Lifestyle and see what the future holds for you.

Thursday, 19 July 2012

Addition to the fleet...



To cope with the increasing demand for Future Lifestyle installations it has be necessary to increase our fleet of vehicles... And with our new design you will be able to spot them easily in a crowd...



Customer service is high on the agenda for the FutureLifestyle team and our fleet of vehicles enable to ensure that our customers are never left in the dark. Providing service calls, advice and upgrades, our vans can be seen up and down the coast.

If you see one of our vans and are interested in any of the services that we can provide just ask the driver for more details or call the office on +34 902 107 227