Last month mControl gained support for CentraLite JetStream, and this month UPB has been added to the growing list of supported lighting and home control systems in Embedded Automations mControl.

The beta driver, developed by mControl user Tom Boyce allows control of UPB devices by all of the mControl form factors.   UPB works much like X10 and INSTEON in that it uses power line communication to control devices with ~99% reliability.  The beta driver does have an expiration date (Aug. 31, 2008), however the final version should be out later this summer.  Download the driver here.

Embedded Automation has also announced that the first beta mPanel units have shipped.  If you are one of the lucky few partners to get a beta unit be sure to send it to me when you are done.