More pointedly, Nokia's new Home Control Center is being developed to provide its users with wide-ranging networked access to everything from room lights, heating and televisions through to kitchen appliances and property security systems.

Expected to officially launch at retail in the latter part of 2009, household devices accessible through Nokia's technology will be hooked up via the Internet, which will then hand users remote monitoring and activation through their smartphone handsets or PC systems.

Set to be an open platform, meaning third parties can integrate their own smart home solutions and services, the Home Control Center is described as a simple plug and play experience that includes added peace of mind through high levels of built-in security.

“The home of today has intelligence everywhere, but to date there has not been a solution that is interoperable with [a] wide range of home systems that can easily be controlled,” said Teppo Paavola, head of Corporate Business Development at Espoo-based Nokia.

“We want to create an open solution where external partners can develop their own solutions and services on top of our platform,” he added. “We believe that the mobile device is an ideal interface to control home intelligence, especially when the user is not at home.”

According to Nokia, while modern household technology offers up smart refrigerators, energy-saving washing machines, low-energy walls, programmable thermostats, self-operating curtains and automatic exterior lights, all of these systems are separate and leave the user juggling multiple remote control units.

Nokia believes a single user interface providing blanket access is the answer and will enable networked devices to talk with one another.

Some of the applications likely to be delivered by the Home Control Center include the monitoring of electricity use, remote adjustments to heating systems while users are away, and even the ability to pre-heat an oven ready for when the user arrives home.

Coinciding with the announcement of its Home Control Center, Nokia has also revealed a contributing deal with energy company RWE, which will work with the mobile phone giant to develop a comprehensive solution for managing energy consumption and CO2 output through the home.

Other related development partnerships for the creation of remotely-accessed intelligent systems are already in place with the likes of Danfoss, Delta Dore, Ensto, Meishar Immediate Community (MIC) and Zensys.

An initial demonstration of Nokia's open platform will be given at the Nokia World event in Barcelona, Spain, on December 02-03. The technology is expected to become commercially available by the end of 2009, although concrete pricing has not yet been confirmed.