I'd like to add a pointer to OpenHAB, which has been released in Version 1.0.0 some days ago. It is an open source Home Automation Bus (HAB).<p><a href="https://code.google.com/p/openhab/" rel="nofollow">https://code.google.com/p/openhab/</a>
This is really cool! But also kind of complex for a task that could be performed in a much simpler way.<p>Using a GSM module such as the Telit GM862 [1], you will be able to receive text messages directly on the Arduino without the need of any web services. This would be much faster and cheaper. This particular module even includes a GPS.<p>[1] <a href="http://tinkerlog.com/2009/05/15/interfacing-arduino-with-a-telit-gm862/" rel="nofollow">http://tinkerlog.com/2009/05/15/interfacing-arduino-with-a-t...</a>
I had skimmed the post earlier and came back because I thought "hmm, I wonder how he got the Arduino publicly accessible…" and didn't remember seeing anything about that.<p>But thanks to things like Pusher, you don't need that!<p>I was just picturing the request going to Twilio and then pinging the Sinatra app on the Arduino directly… But Pusher and the like really help so much to put things "online", albeit indirectly. But between a free Pusher app and a free Heroku app, it's easy to get going without worrying of your home router configuration or anything anything like that.
I use Wiser Home Control to take care of those annoying left-the-AC-on cases, works on my iPhone. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHsjTdTPVnU" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHsjTdTPVnU</a>
I'm in Australia. If only there was some way to get an Arduino Uno in Australia. OH WAIT THERE IS, SNAP.<p><a href="http://jacobsdirect.com/arduino/1-arduino-uno-rev3.html" rel="nofollow">http://jacobsdirect.com/arduino/1-arduino-uno-rev3.html</a>