A geek's dream, Perceptive Automation's Indigo has reached version 3.0, adding a new look, updated online help manual, plug-in architecture, enhanced iPhone/iPod touch support, and (here it comes) support for the new INSTEON Thermostat Adapter! The latter can control a certain number of Venstar thermostats, wirelessly. Click HERE to try it out for free (30-day trial, all features available).

The popular (among geeks) automation tool integrates X10 hardware devices and works as a Mac OS X-native, home control server that can automate your lights, appliances, sprinkler system, and whatever else one can automate around one's house. Whether you want to pull the curtains, have a bathtub full of hot water waiting for you when you come back from the office, or flush the toilet again to make sure you don't make a bad impression on your second date, you can do so by controlling Indigo via email from your iPhone, iPod touch, other Macs, Internet tablets, PDAs etc.

Basically, Indigo is an intelligent home control server that integrates an assortment of home control hardware modules to provide unprecedented control of your home, Perceptive Automation claims. The automation solution sports a built-in Web server and client/server architecture that give users control and access to their homes, remotely. This way they can save money, conserve water, reduce electrical usage but, best of all, be geeks in the strongest possible sense of the term.

Indigo 3.0 system requirements call for Macintosh OS X 10.4 or higher; INSTEON or X10 computer interface: PowerLinc V2 (2414U), PowerLinc Controller (1132CU), PowerLinc USB (1132U), ActiveHome Pro (CM15A), ActiveHome (CM11), or LynX-PLC.

Indigo currently supports uploading to the PowerLinc 2414U and 1132CU. When using other interface hardware, users must leave their Macs running for home control. If the required system specs are not met, you can still use the software in offline mode.

A single user license goes for $179.95. Owners of version 2 can upgrade for free, while owners of earlier versions must pay $89.95 for the upgrade.