[James @ Nov 30th 2006 1:40AM]

No, doing things manually isn't difficult at all (that's what most of us do now). But I think what would be neat is when you hit "Watch a Movie" on your Harmony remote, and then the AV gear turns on, lights dim, and blinds close. Or something like that. I'm not sure why the lights will be on and require the blinds to be closed (suggesting it's daylight).

Or maybe you can make even cooler by having two couches facing each other in the living room. When you hit the button, one couch rotates around to face the projection screen that's automatically lowering. And then a rising coffee table with built-in microwave and fridge starts the popcorn and pours drinks based on verbal commands. One day...

[Stephen @ Nov 30th 2006 8:21AM]

I can see how that would be nifty (that's right, nifty), but America is already one of the most obese nations in the world, if not the single most. I still don't think it'll kill people to get up and turn off their own darn lights and lower their own blinds. Walking is good for you.

I can see how it could have a market for disabled people, but that is not where the excitement tends to come from.