I like to frequent websites like kickstarter and indiegogo as there tends to be a fair amount of attention given to Home Automation and remote monitoring.
Anyway, there are two projects right now which are interesting. One I have already commented on(fiona), but there is another one called Ivee. Here are links to it and articles about it.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ivee/ivee-sleek-wi-fi-voice-activated-assistant
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ivee/ivee-sleek-wi-fi-voice-activated-assistant/comments
It is basically a network connected device that looks like an alarm clock, but does a whole host of other things. The company says they are looking into Vera integration, and support from our members here might help that along. With Vera integration, you would simply be able to “call out” to the device and say your command codes and it would run the scene or whatever you want. Personally, I think this is a step up from having to have your tablet or smartphone with you at all times and then having to open an app, etc.
I do not have the skills to be a developer, but this looks like a very interesting piece of equipment to have at your disposal if it could work with Vera
The project only runs for about another day, and has already reached its funding goals, but I thought I would bring it to the attention of the community.