Microsoft's first smart thermostat is called GLAS, and it's gorgeous
Microsoft has unveiled a sleek smart thermostat called GLAS that's backed by its Cortana digital assistant. This is Microsoft's first smart thermostat, and it looks incredibly promising – not to mention utterly gorgeous – based on a teaser video Microsoft released today on YouTube. Built by Johnson Controls, the company that invented the first electric room thermostat, GLAS not only taps into Cortana voice controls but also the Windows 10 IoT Core operating system and Azure C
ASQA report signals the end of Cert II Read more at
The Certificate II in Air Conditioning Split Installation course is set to be abolished following a national strategic review undertaken by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). The review of “issues relating to unduly short training” is highly critical of current Vocational Education and Training (VET) packages identifying Certificate II courses “as an area of particular concern.” There is no way the course will remain in its current form in the wake of this report
The Hidden Benefits of Installing Smart Home Automation
That home automation is fast becoming an essential component of your average, luxury property is hardly groundbreaking news. Inspired by the growth of smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home, sales of smart home technology have reportedly soared over the last 12 months. Yet according to one home automation installation firm, those investing in smart technology just to set a fancy lighting scene or have their favourite music automatically wake them up in a morning are
INDUSTRY UPDATE: Tradies National Health Month
August is Tradies National Health Month and as part of the awareness activities taking place, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is hosting a free breakfast on 1 August at the RSEA work wear outlet at Essendon Fields from 7.00 – 8.30am. The breakfast will also include physiotherapy-led activities with prizes to raise awareness about the risks posed to those who work in trade occupations. Australia’s trade industry continues to have some of the highest health and s
Online spare parts portal ensures speedy next day delivery
With a new spare parts warehouse recently opened in Perth, Fujitsu General has significantly improved the spare parts ordering and delivery process for Western Australia from weeks to days. Complemented by a newly introduced e-commerce platform, Fujitsu Assist is improving the efficiency and accuracy of the ordering process and servicing of Fujitsu air conditioning systems nationally. The Fujitsu Assist online parts ordering portal can now be accessed by all authorised partne
Nest launches in Australia but skips out on the smart thermostat
Nest's smart smoke alarm will be available, but there's no sign of the company's signature thermostat product. Google/Alphabet-owned Nest has announced the availability of its smart home products in Australia, headlined by the Nest Protect, a smart smoke/carbon monoxide alarm that uses spoken word alerts as well as an app-controlled interface for managing alerts and checking power status. Nest's claim is that the Nest Protect checks its own status some 400 times per day, obvi
Industry alert - WIRING OF SPLIT SYSTEM AIR-CONDITIONERS
Energy Safe Victoria has become aware of a technical issue with the installation of wiring between the (compressor) outside unit and the (head) indoor unit on various split system air conditioners. The photo depicts the connection of the wiring installed between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit that has been connected / terminated incorrectly and does not comply with the conductor insulation colour identification requirements of Clause 3.8 of AS/NZS 3000:2007. The technic
