New York, NY (February 12, 2001) — Thanks to an affordable new "smart home" system, being in two places at once is no longer impossible. Xanboo™, available now through several nationwide retailers, allows individuals to remotely view and control their homes or small businesses from anywhere, anytime, via the Internet–providing a valuable resource to anyone who wants more control and peace of mind while away from home.

Designed and manufactured by New York City-based Xanboo Inc., the Xanboo system includes compact color video cameras with built-in motion detectors, as well as a range of sensors and control devices that are installed and activated through a consumer’s PC. Users access their system through a secure, password-protected account on the Xanboo Web site, which allows them to view their homes or businesses, turn air conditioners or lights on or off, open and shut garage doors, see when their children get home from school, and much more.

Adding to the value of the Xanboo system is an event notification feature, which sends an alert to a user’s email address, pager or cell phone whenever a camera or sensor is triggered. These "trigger" events might be someone walking past a camera stationed at the front door, a pipe bursting in the basement, or a window being opened when no one is home. Whatever the scenario, Xanboo’s notification feature alerts the user to what has occurred, and stores a time-stamped message and video image of the event in the user’s Xanboo Web account.

"Lifestyle and economic conditions in the U.S. are fueling a growing need for people to remotely monitor and control their homes and businesses," said Robert Diamond, Xanboo president and CEO. "Xanboo is the first simple and affordable ‘smart home’ solution that enables people to more easily manage their lives, by giving them access to their home or business from anywhere in the world." Diamond then cited the following trends:

• One in five children ages 6-12 is regularly left without adult supervision after school, according to a recent study by the Urban Institute.
• Second home purchases increased 9.3 percent between 1997 and 1999, according to the National Association of Realtors.
• Small businesses are the engines of America’s growth, now employing 53 percent of the private workforce according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
• A December 2000 study by Allied Business Intelligence projects that the market for Net-based home automation and control systems will grow to $3 billion by 2005.

"All of these trends reinforce Xanboo as a realistic and convenient answer for millions of people seeking added peace of mind in protecting their homes and businesses, and ensuring the safety of their loved ones," Diamond continued.

The Xanboo system expands to accommodate an individual user’s lifestyle. Four cameras and multiple sensors can be connected to a single Xanboo system controller, which links to the personal computer. Wireless cameras and control appliances, such as remote garage door openers and thermostat controllers, will also be available later this year to further expand the system.

Xanboo is available now at major retailers, including CompUsa, OfficeMax and Tiger Direct among others. The suggested retail price for the Xanboo starter kit, which includes a color video camera with built-in motion sensor, Xanboo System Controller, all connectors, and installation software, is $179.95. Additional color cameras can be purchased at a suggested cost of $79.95. Sensors–including models for acoustic, doors and windows, temperature, water and power on/off–are available at a suggested cost of $24.95. The monthly service fee for unlimited access to the Xanboo Web site will be $9.95 with a one-year subscription.