Home security of the future

AUSTIN (KXAN) - When it comes to home security, an Austin company is about to launch what they consider the home of the future.

It's called uControl .

It's a new home security system that will launch this fall , and just like its name, you have the ability to control everything from security cameras to your thermostat with this control panel or your laptop.

For Austin mom Sylette Kitchen, uControl has given her the control to monitor what's happening with her 3- and 6-year-old sons, even when the babysitter is there.

"We can pull up on our iPhone the different cameras and see the kids are playing or if the babysitter has brought over any friends," said Kitchen.

For the last five years, uControl President and CEO Jim Johnson has been developing this new system that doesn't use a phone line, like traditional home security systems.

"If there were to be an intruder that would come into your home and cut a phone line, with a traditional security it would never get to the police," said Johnson.

Instead, it uses broadband and wireless lines in the home. Cameras mounted on the wall or hidden in a plant are streamed to the uControl website, so you can monitor your home from the computer or iPhone. And that's not all.

"You can manage your energy consumption in your house - turn your lights off remotely, move your thermostat - so it's easier to schedule," said Johnson.

The system will even let you know when the door opens and closes.

"You can see the last time the door opened and closed, so you can see if your child has been running in and out of the front door," said Johnson.

Not to mention, teenagers won't be able to lie about what time they get home.

What also makes uControl unique is that it will be offered by your local cable or phone company as an additional service.

The cost will be about $100 to install and around $30 a month.