iPhone app for CBus - BETA testers needed

Hi Guys,

I've been developing an iPhone/iPod Touch application for Cbus control for a few months now and it's getting close to being ready.

I've attached a couple of screen shots from the iPhone simulator to give you an idea of what it looks like. I've modelled it on the Saturn DLT switches to give a familiar look and feel to end-users. The second image shows how you select a different zone.

It is very easy to use and it only takes a few minutes to configure. To use it you simply select a Zone in the house/building and you'll be presented with a multi-paged DLT switch depending on how many groups you've assigned to the zone. It works the same way a real cbus switch does, a short press will turn the group on or off, whilst a longer press will ramp to a level based on how long you've pressed it for.

The system will require that you're always running C-Gate Server and another small application on a PC. Initially it will only allow access from the local network however I've got plans to enable it to work via the Internet (subject to security issues).

This will create an affordable way to wirelessly control a whole building from a low-cost device like an iPod Touch (they're retailing for about $300).

I am going to be looking for some BETA testers sometime in January so if you've got an iPhone or iPod Touch and would like to be one of the testers please PM me and I'll let you know when it's ready.

Also let me know if you've got any specific features you think would be handy.

Cheers,
Brad.

 

would be nice to try!
the best way would be to have:

1. two way control
2. configurable interface
3. CNI as an interface, not C-Gate

thank you!

 

Great Nick, I'll add you to my BETA list and let you know when it's ready for testing.

Thanks for your suggestions, I've got some comments on them:

1. By two-way control I assume you mean that if someone used a physical switch, the status would then be updated on the iPhone? If so that may be possible to do down the track but in the short-term I could have an option for the iPhone to poll cbus every 10 seconds to get the status. It wouldn't be that resource intensive because it only needs to poll the status of the 4 group addresses that are currently displayed in the app

2. The interface is configurable, as in you can choose which group addresses belong to which zones. Do you have some other ideas for further configuration? I've considered Floor Plans but that adds another whole level of complexity

3. Would love to eliminate C-Gate but from what I've read on these forums it is extremely complicated communicating directly with the CNI as Clipsal don't provide a DLL for doing this. That is why they have C-Gate, to allow 3rd-party apps to communicate with the CNI. As you probably already know C-Gate is part of the C-Bus Toolkit install so most people should already have it. Plus there is the java service wrapper that another forum member Richo referred to in another post that enables you to run C-Gate as a Windows Service http://wrapper.tanukisoftware.org/do...h/download.jsp which should minimize the issue of C-Gate not starting if the PC is rebooted etc.

Thanks for your feedback, keep it coming

 

Great Work.
Have got a V1 Touch so sign me up.

 

timmah, i've put you on the list . It will be good to have it tested on your iPod touch as well as some iPhones (not that there should be any difference but you never know).

 

Thanks for your input Ashleigh. Looks like you have an in-depth understanding of CNI-direct vs. C-Gate. I agree that C-gate is probably the best way to make a robust application in the short-term and I'll definitely look into accessing the Public spec via Cbus Enabled and possibly look towards direct CNI access for version 2 or 3.

 

one word cool..
can you put me in you list for beta tester..

thanks..

 

Hi Brad,

Your application looks really slick. Love the Saturn DLT's

Some constructive comments. Having to have a PC running C-Gate will limit the likely potential user base, I understand why it is being implimented at that level however not too many users are likely to have a PC running C-Gate and your other litte application required 24/7. If you can over time communicate directly to the CNI then I reckon you will be one a real winner!

I will be happy to beta test your application. I have a fully implimented C-Bus system in my new house with 23 Saturn DLT's. I have in the last month got an iPhone and can give your application a good going over. I will PM my details.

Nice work.

Regards,

Fleetz

 

How big is your house?

 

its not hard to get to 20+ switches in a house and if he is using all DLT's....

Mick

 

Would love to help in February. Away before then.

 

Hi Peter,

It is approx 320sq/m. It wasn't differicult as Mick stated to get that many into the house design. Indeed it would have been been 27 if I have put them in the AV closet, C-Bus/HA closet, Toilet and laundry.

I had a couple NEO's from the C-Bus training course which went into the AV closet and C-Bus/HA closet and I bought some Saturn's for the toilet and laundry.

Yes it is a big house but not huge, I didn't think of the cost when I worked out where the DLT's needed to go, just what was the best from a user perspective. Even with 8 switches you would be amazed how many of them I would love to had 10 or more switches!

Regards,

Fleetz

 

Definitely keen to test - looks great. I have an iphone and pc running c-gate 24/7 already for integration back into Promixis Girder, so no issue there.

Cheers

 

cool app for i touch

i would love to demo this. ive been looking for just this kind of application for some time

good work

 

Hi Brad,

I'd love to test your app. I have an iPhone.

Thanks,
Rene.

 

any success?

 

Update on iPhone app

Hi all,

Nick has prompted me to give you an update on the iPhone app for Cbus. The app is largely ready to go with a Cgate interface. I am still waiting on Apple to issue the Developer Certificate I need to install it on actual iPhones - they have a big backlog due to the success of the iPhone developer program.

In response to a lot of feedback I've received I'm currently looking into how to communicate directly with the CNI in an attempt to eliminate Cgate from the equation. I've made some progress on this but there is quite a bit involved from the iPhone end of things. I think rather than releasing the Cgate version I will persist a bit more with the CNI version as that really is the preferred method.

I'll keep you updated as things evolve. I'd rather get it right that just get it out the door quickly.

Cheers,
Brad.

 

Does this mean you will be releasing two version?

As I would expect the cgate product to have less operating issues (eg a CNI can only communicate with one device at a time - ie you would need to turn off homegate/cgate to access the CNI). I had this same problem with the philips pronto c-bus script.