iPhone and Android

[MrMagic]

Anybody here up to an actual iPhone and Android Interface? I am a programmer but I don't have the time to jump into either of these areas right now but I sure would like to see genuine 'Apps' for both of these platforms.

Steve

[rtwilson]

sure....if you can make a really convincing case as too what would be gained over an html browser....i can program as well....but dont have the time to make anything that isnt really offering anything or needed.

so tell us why? as an iphone/android user what makes an app more compelling? what information or function can be added in this manner that we dont already have?

be glad to talk further....bob

[MrMagic]

The case is in front of your nose! NOBODY wants to jack around with having to load a browser, find a URL, suffer screen screw ups and such. My board of directors is giving me flack NOW about using HCA because it does not have a true iPhone 'App.' What we have is good enough for some, but.... Robert, it isn't going to cut it when iPhone and Droid users are used to getting the 'apps' that are slick and problem free. Just compare them yourself and you'll have the answer.

The iPhone 'App's just load and go, they're clean, crisp, designed for the phone and hide all the mechanics from the user, the same with a Droid app. People, especially the younger set are just not going to tolerate what we have now. All the members of my board of directors right now are fighting me tooth and nail because the iPhone app does not exist and neither does a wall mounted touch screen display.

What was/is good for us hobbiests, is NOT good enough for users to whom I'm trying to sell systems to. That handwriting is CRYSTAL clear. Home Automation, with the push for 'Green' (a word I hate) technology, people staying in their homes longer and looking for ways to save bucks on energy and things like, THAT is the new audience. If EVER there was a window to take Home Automation to the masses, NOW is the time and we can't do it unless we can craft applications to the generations that are BUYING for this reason.

I just signed a 12,000.00 contract with a family in Omaha, they signed, reluctantly because there was not yet an iPhone app. I didn't promised them one, but it isn't going to be the first time I'm asked.

If HCA is to fly, indeed if Home Automation taken to the consuming public is to fly at all, all the clumsy interfaces HAVE to go, We HAVE to bow to consumer demand. What more justification do you need??

I need an iPhone App like NOW! And a Droid interface not long after. Forget the browser crap, it isn't going to flow. Give me the 'Apps' and people will pay


Steve

[dartz]

Yep, I agree, while browser interface on iPhone is OK in a pinch (damn, did I leave the lights on upstairs, I really don't want to get out of bed...)

I would use (all the time) a well designed iPhone app. And - so would my three kids (who refuse to use the web interface).

:-)

[KHarms]

I'm not sure I want to jump in here but it would be good to have some constructive design rather than simply bashing the current system. If it doesn't do what you want is it because it:
a - doesn't loook good
b - doesn't have enough features
c - needs a fundementally different UI

And if a, b, or c, how would/should it be changed?

[ewelin]

I think all of the above. I think it needs:


To be the same basic GUI on all devices, be it any browser, mobile or PC based, iphone app, android app, touch screen app etc. You could probably have a web interface and have it wrapped with the iphone API, wrap it in an andriod API and have a custom GUI that runs on touch screen that's simply just a browser with all of the normal browser buttons and toolbars removed. Basically just a browser running in full screen mode.
A touch based gui with buttons large enough to push on all devices
To have a wow factor, something that someone will look at and go, wow that's clean and simple to use.
No annoying little quirks like not being able to use a browsers back button. In the limited times I've used the web interface, I don't know how many times I've had to restart the interface simply because I used the browsers back button.
I think it needs to be two different versions

A simple version which simply allows control of devices and programs. Maybe the ability to switch schedules, but that's it. Something that if a sitter or a friend is using they can't get lost or screw anything.
An advanced version which would allow for things like viewing the HCA status, as well as logs etc. This would basically be an expanded version of the simple version.

5

[MrMagic]

I'm going to purchase a Samsung Hero running Android TONIGHT!

Steve

[MrMagic]

I chickened out and bought a new Samsung Interepid with Windows Mobile 6.5. Why? I have too many $'s worth of apps for WMM. I wanted that Android bad but I just have too many important apps to my everyday life that aren't available for it.

Steve

[korey]

A sexy interface for the iPad / iPhone would be fantastic, the option to have weather data, RSS feeds, a window for security cameras / streaming IP tv.. ect ect.. it should be completely customizable.

For the price of an enrty iPad you could easily mount them around your house, this could be the Crestron killer.

Everything needs to be really easy, so that non tech people (SO, KIds) can use it on a daily basis.

Indigo for Mac has the iTouch app now but it is a bit limited, they claim to be looking into an iPad version.

[biomech]

I also vote for an iPhone/iPod Touch app and/or a Android App. My wife and I both have Droids and I also have an iPod Touch. I have been using the current HCA web app on the Droid and it is extremely cumbersome. The two column design keeps me from seeing any of the devices on the right without a lot of scrolling around. A mobile friendly app would be great.

[kwilcox]

I just completed a WM 6.5 app that wraps more functionality around the browser interface. Password is stored on the device and automatically entered when you launch the app, so you are presented with the main screen right away. Its gesture enabled so flicking scrolls the screen up/down to allow for easy device selection. The "Back" softkey takes you back to the main page from any sub-page. On G-Sensor equipped HTC devices it'll automatically select landscape/portrait mode depending on screen orientation.

Right now this app is working for HCA 8.x websites but my upgrade for v9.x is on the way so I should have it tweaked for that shortly.

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/3320/capscr0004o.png

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/5435/capscr0005.png

[biomech]

I also vote for an iPhone/iPod Touch app and/or a Android App. My wife and I both have Droids and I also have an iPod Touch. I have been using the current HCA web app on the Droid and it is extremely cumbersome. The two column design keeps me from seeing any of the devices on the right without a lot of scrolling around. A mobile friendly app would be great.


I should add that, since posting this message, I discovered the "/32" option in the URL. That made things a bit easier on the Droid.

[ewelin]

I should add that, since posting this message, I discovered the "/32" option in the URL. That made things a bit easier on the Droid.Yes, they designed that interface for less advanced devices. If you mostly access the web interface from your mobile device, you can adjust the web settings in HCA to use that interface by default. I have several mobile browsers on my HTC Tilt and none of them are able to render the normal UI either.

I just completed a WM 6.5 app that wraps more functionality around the browser interface. Password is stored on the device and automatically entered when you launch the app, so you are presented with the main screen right away. Its gesture enabled so flicking scrolls the screen up/down to allow for easy device selection. The "Back" softkey takes you back to the main page from any sub-page. On G-Sensor equipped HTC devices it'll automatically select landscape/portrait mode depending on screen orientation.

Right now this app is working for HCA 8.x websites but my upgrade for v9.x is on the way so I should have it tweaked for that shortly.
Very nicely done. If you're willing to share it, I'm sure others on the HCA community would love to get their hands on it. That's what the HCA Add-ons (http://www.hcatech.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=42) forum was created for ;-) Definitely makes opening the HCA Web Interfaces a lot easier for those who use it. One suggestion might be renaming the Back button to Home if possible. Also is the app limited to WM 6.5 or could it be installed on WM 6.1? I'm holding off upgrading my phone until I can get my hands on an Windows 7 Phone.

[kwilcox]

@ewelin:
It's windows mobile 6.5 currently but may work on earlier versions without the same level of functionality. Gesture support/device orientation isn't enabled on all earlier versions. I'm happy to donate this app. I'll build a cab installer, pull the hardcoding for website URL/password then upload it. I already changed "back" to "Home" btw. Great minds think alike it would appear :)

@all:
Here's a youtube showing HCA Mobile in action. This is a really cool application that adds speed and usability to the Web site. Since the HCA interface is web based, design/icon changes are instantly reflected (unlike iPhone style apps were the panels either need to be refreshed or hard linked to mobile features). I think this gives HCA a real advantage over competing mobile architectures.

But, pictures say a million words so take a look at the video and then see if the interface isn't just as good from a usability/speed perspective than from what's available for other automation platforms. Everything you will see was shown running across a normal 3G data connection. Here it is: HCA Mobile Demonstration (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7YjEdZ2dew)