Jordan O'BrienThere’s no denying that custom installed systems are more powerful than their consumer-grade alternatives, but it’s also true that their UIs leave something to be desired. Thankfully, Crestron is addressing that issue by replacing Pyng with an all-new offering, Crestron Home. The system is currently being shown off at ISE 2019 and is powered by OS 3; what makes it really special though, is the fact that it’s been designed from scratch for an IoT era.
It’s immediately obvious that Crestron has been influenced by the consumer technology giants, with Crestron Home’s UI resembling a similar look to the likes of both the Apple Home and Google Home apps. That’s no bad thing, as this is by far the most attractive home automation system coming out of the custom install industry right now. That familiar feel also means that Crestron Home is infinitely easier to use for consumers who are used to the consumer-grade stuff.
What Happened To Crestron Pyng?
Crestron Home, powered by OS 3, replaces the Pyng brand, which is still plagued with perception issues surrounding its versatility. While it was initially launched as a limited home automation platform, it’s since exploded to offer as many features as a user or installer could ask for – in fact, it’s now the system Crestron is pushing for all residential installations.
The advantage of Crestron Home as an evolution of Pyng is the fact that it features many of the same functionality that made it so simple for installers. That means the simplified programming that has been available to installers since the launch of Pyng is making the jump to Crestron Home; although it can now do highly complex whole-home control. That programming is all done through an iPad or web app, meaning no special software or programming skills are required.
“OS 2 delivered the foundation; OS 3 perfects the experience. It’s completely redesigned; simple, clean, and sophisticated. Add in remarkably fast deployment of any sized project, and top it off with the best hardware in the business. Why use anything else?” said Michael Short, Global Residential Marketing Manager for Crestron.
Crestron Home’s New Design
The immediate striking change between Pyng OS 2 and Crestron Home OS 3 is the fact that the UI has been completely redesigned. No, it hasn’t just been tweaked and enhanced; this looks like a completely new home automation system. Gone are the outdated visuals and fonts, and in comes a UI that’s fit for 2019; complete with all the fun controls that are common in consumer automation systems, such as dials and sliders.
The new GUI can be seen at ISE 2019, and it’s well worth the trip to the company’s stand to check it out. For those of you who aren’t in Amsterdam, Crestron has provided the video below so you can get a feel for the fresh new design.
What Else Is New With Crestron Home Powered By OS 3?
Did you think a new UI was the only major change with Crestron Home powered by OS 3? Well, you’d be wrong; there’s a lot. That includes the ability for users to make even more simple tweaks than before, meaning dealers don’t need to be called out for creating scenes, and multi-home support is also present, something missing from previous generations of Pyng.
While Crestron Home powered by OS 3 will be a major focus for the company going forward, those looking for a highly-customised system are still being encouraged to check out the 3-Series control suite. That is receiving a standards-based HTML 5 programming environment in 2019, and will continue to receive major updates for many years to come.