Ole` Delivers Exceptional Functionality and Value through Combination of Touch Panel, Keypad, and Organic LED (OLED) Technologies All-in-One
DENVER, CO — CEDIA Booth #159 — ELAN Home Systems, a leading manufacturer of award-winning Multi-Room audio/video and home control systems, announced today the trade debut of its revolutionary Ole` Film Interactive Touchpad at CEDIA 2006 in Denver, Colorado. The Company also reported that the product began shipping in limited first-production quantities to a number of its top Dealers around the country in August 2006. The announcement was made by Bob Farinelli, ELAN’s President and Chief Technology Officer.
As the first ever in-wall Film Interactive Touchpad (FIT), Ole` marries the best of all interface worlds by bringing together the speed, graphics and response of a traditional LCD touch panel with the simplicity and pricing of a keypad, thus creating a completely new interface product category within the Custom Installation industry. A radical departure from traditional, hard button keypads, Ole` offers the largest all-touch surface in a double-gang, in-wall product and new level of flexibility to match every Client’s decor. It’s easier-than-ever installation and “wizard” VIA!TOOLS programming saves Dealers valuable time, thus increasing profits substantially.
Among its many groundbreaking attributes, Ole` delivers more than 1,500 unique design possibilities upon initial rollout alone. Stunning, photographic quality, backlit slide-in films can be custom-matched to 7 different frame colors, which are available in both U.S. and European styling. These distinctive films are offered in a wide variety of styles, themes and colors that have been carefully designed to match virtually any home and personal taste.
“Throughout the past 16 years, ELAN has firmly positioned itself as a leader in keypad and touch panel design and technology innovation through its popular VIA! and ZPad product lines. We have observed that Dealers and Customers alike are continuously seeking greater personalization options at more affordable price points. With Ole`, our team has developed a very unique solution that addresses these needs like no other product before it, offering superior features for the price while creating a completely new value proposition and product category for the Dealer,” stated Mr. Farinelli.
Upon initial launch, Ole` offers nine families of film options, including Contemporary, Gems, Scenes, and more. Additional films will be added as part of ELAN’s on-going, future Ole` releases. The brilliant films also offer a choice of 13, 17 and 25 function layouts, providing the end-user with control options ranging from basic to complete whole-house control. The product uses touch-sensitive overlays to detect finger presses over fixed-position ‘hot spots’ backwards symbol. The number of ‘hot spots’ is determined by the film selected, and is automatically remapped during programming to suit each film. Any combination of these films and functions layouts can be used around the house to best accommodate the Client’s needs and wishes.
Also featuring an incredible 1-inch, 65,000-color, graphical OLED display, Ole` continuously guides and informs the user as to the source and system status through real-time feedback. Vibrant icons and text have also been carefully matched to every film, extending the seamless nature of the product’s uncommon design and appeal.
Through the combined use of films, function layouts, OLED and frames, Ole` delivers the industry’s greatest level of effortless customization at an affordable price for touchpad control throughout the home. Today, standard keypads on the market average in the $300 retail price range. Despite having all of these new, state-of-the-art, ELAN-exclusive features, Ole` hits a price point in the same vein as basic keypads.
Added Paul Starkey, ELAN’s EVP of Sales and Marketing, “We are excited to offer a product that, hands down, is one of the most compelling new interfaces to enter the market in years. With its sophistication and power, Ole` is a serious step up in user-friendly, in-wall controls for audio / video systems. The Dealer response thus far has been overwhelming, and we expect huge demand for Ole` and a strong fall selling season as a result.”
Ole` is compatible with all ELAN multi-room controllers. Its IR-learning capabilities and on-board, non-volatile flash memory also allow it to be used as the primary user interface for any system, ELAN or otherwise.
Upon initial release, programming of Ole` Touchpads is done with ELAN’s Dealer-perfected setup software, VIA!TOOLS. Having worked with VIA!TOOLS for years to program ELAN keypads and VIA! Touch Panels, ELAN Dealers will not waste valuable time becoming familiar with Ole`’s simple, wizard-type programming. Downloading program files to Ole` is quick and easy and accomplished via a direct connection from a PC to Ole`’s front-panel USB port. In systems using an ELAN multi-room controller, all Ole` Touchpads residing on the ELAN network can be programmed simultaneously.
Ole` began shipping in first-production quantities in August 2006 at an astonishing MSRP of $380. The product ships with a standard, neutral style film in three function layouts, and a white U.S. style frame. Additional films and frames are sold separately. To see Ole` in action, stop by ELAN’s booth #159 at CEDIA 2006 in Denver, Colorado.
About ELAN Home Systems:
ELAN Home Systems is a leading manufacturer of innovative, award-winning Multi-Room audio/video and home automation systems. Based in Lexington, KY, the company’s systems were the first to integrate audio, video, phones and third-party products to create a seamless, easy-to-use “whole house” experience. The company’s unique products provide complete lifestyle, feature-rich solutions, yet can be configured to fit the specific needs of every homeowner. ELAN products are distributed through a comprehensive channel of select dealers and distributors throughout the United States, Canada and 58 countries worldwide. To learn more, visit www.elanhomesystems.com.
ELAN is a registered trademark of ELAN Home Systems, LLC, Lexington, KY. VIA! is a registered trademark of ELAN Home Systems, LLC. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners
Press Contacts:
Steven Style or Justin Kroesser
The Steven Style Group
New York, NY
t) 212-465-1290
f) 212-465-1299
e) stevens@stylegroup.com
justink@stylegroup.com
OR
Cat Fowler
ELAN Home Systems
Lexington, KY
t) 859-269-7760 x161
f) 859-268-2132
e) cfowler@elanhomesystems.com
