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The Wall Street Journal

Companies Chase the Promise of High-Tech Homes

The Wall Street JournalSmart homes are an idea as old as the Jetsons. But some big companies are betting that the reality will soon catch up to the vision.

Other start-ups are also vying to supply software to monitor and manage such technology, which could be a $5 billion a year market by 2011, according to research firm Parks Associates.

Less than 15% of people in Internet-connected households in the U.S. are very interested in controlling their home's lights or thermostat over the Internet, according to a survey of 1,000 households by research company Parks Associates. Only slightly more are very interested in monitoring Web cams.

From the article, "Companies Chase the Promise of High-Tech Homes" by Ben Worthen

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