What to wire, or make wireless? These days, almost any device in the home can be controlled remotely and networked with other devices. Smart Homes for Dummies offers a summary:

- Household items: Drapes and shades, gates, garage doors, door locks, doorbells, lights, dishwasher, refrigerator, heaters, alarm clocks, washer, dryer, microwave, coffeemaker, hot water system, air conditioners, central vacuum system, water controls (shower, sink, and so on), pool cover, fireplaces, toys, lawnmower, cars and other vehicles, piano, weather station, furniture

- Audio/Video: Receivers, amplifiers, speakers, VCRs, CD players, DVD players, PVR (personal video recorder) players, TVs, WebTV devices, DSS dish, radios, remote controls, cable TV devices, TV videoconferencing device

- Security: Baby monitor, video camera, surveillance monitors, motion detectors, smoke detectors, occupancy sensors, pressure sensors, infrared sensors, intercoms, voice enunciators

- Phones: Corded phones, cordless phones, 900-MHz phones, 2.4-GHz phones, fax machine, answering machine, PDAs, screen phone, video phone, cell phones

- Computers: PC, Mac, laptop, modem, scanner, printer, home server

Here is an example; MIT's House_n project takes the smart home concept to the Nth degree. House_n is an MIT research group that explores how new technologies, materials, and strategies for design can make possible dynamic, evolving places that respond to the complexities of life. As their website explains: The widespread adoption of digital technologies is leading to profound changes in how we communicate with others, shop for goods and services, receive news, manage our finances, learn about the world, participate in politics, deliver and receive medical care, conduct business, manage resources, find entertainment, and maintain autonomy as we age. Increasingly, these activities will take place directly in the home. As our notion of banks, bookstores, universities, communities, and cities change in response to new technologies, the home will take on extraordinary new importance.

The home as it exists today cannot meet these demands or take advantage of new opportunities created by social and technological changes. Most people live in spaces poorly tailored to their needs, and technologies for the home are too often irrelevant gadgets, meeting no fundamental need and developed out of context.

Also, I found this interesting article and video from CBS 5 in Green Bay. It's about an experimental Smart Home for seniors in Gainsville, Florida. The article states (this is a direct transcript of the video, that's why the text is so choppy):

Seventy-Eight-Year-Old Minette Hendler is a study volunteer who will live in the house to test its support systems. Minette Hendler/Study Volunteer: "It's the house taking care of me. I'm not really alone."

Monitors communicate with her; alert her to mail Delivery and show her who's at the door. Her voice commands turn off lights and lower shades. Sensors make meal preparation easier. "Smart" floors detect where she's walking.