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Ultimate iPhone app, will it ever happen?
- Thread starter nashmills
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That is all based on people's opinions. What the ultimate app is for someone, won't be for someone else. My ultimate app is iRealQuickSMS.
They already have it with Duke Nukem 3D if they fix the controls on an update. Of course, if they could ever somehow get Zelda that would be amazing.
I've thought for a while that with an IR dongle and a good app, the iPhone could make an excellent universal remote and replace my Logitech Harmony One.
I'm starting to think though, that Apple should just get into the home automation business. Our homes are very low tech considering what science fiction writers of 40 years or so ago thought home appliances would evolve into. Home automation (intercom, lights, doors, multimedia, security, power management etc.) is a really complex idea that is really only for hobbyists right now because of the complexity of implementing a good system. We all know that Apple is really great at taking complex technical systems and simplifying them so that any Joe sixpack can use them and I think the iPhone or future iPad would be a great interface to control this kind of system. Screw fighting Microsoft and Sony for control of the living room, integrate Apple products into the whole home.
I'm starting to think though, that Apple should just get into the home automation business. Our homes are very low tech considering what science fiction writers of 40 years or so ago thought home appliances would evolve into. Home automation (intercom, lights, doors, multimedia, security, power management etc.) is a really complex idea that is really only for hobbyists right now because of the complexity of implementing a good system. We all know that Apple is really great at taking complex technical systems and simplifying them so that any Joe sixpack can use them and I think the iPhone or future iPad would be a great interface to control this kind of system. Screw fighting Microsoft and Sony for control of the living room, integrate Apple products into the whole home.
Mocha VNC is my favorite but I'm geekier than all of you I guess. Controlling my MBP from across the room (especially when I wake up) is the greatest thing ever.
The ultimate app for me would be an augmented reality, street view GPS.
As seen here > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgXzdUb_fug
As seen here > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgXzdUb_fug
Home automation is already very easy with the iPhone. I control all my home theater components, curtains, lights, garage, and sprinklers with my phone. It's extremely convenient. Of course it's no walk in the park to setup.
Basically, all you need is a server. 24/7 on server. It doesn't have to be some power hungry thing either. I have an ancient laptop running and it only uses 12W and it automates my whole house. Hell- I can even watch TV using orb on my iPhone (no expensive sling).
I don't want to derail this thread but ill write the basics and you can PM me for more info.
Here are the systems being controlled and the software being used:
Garage - X10 - controlled by Eventghost
Home Theater - A Xantech IR system connected to a USB-UIRT. Controlled via EventGhost
Curtains - Controlled by the same as above
Lights - Lutron ethernet controller system being controlled via Homeseer
Sprinklers - Controlled by Homeseer
TV - ORB
Home Energy Monitoring - T.E.D
Wireless iPhone syncing - USB Over Network
All of these programs have web interfaces which can be modified for the iPhone. It's very easy to learn LUA and it's all perfectly formatted.
While most of the inbuilt systems are pretty expensive and have to be installed when the house is built (in my case it all came with the house), you can do a lot of things with IR and X-10.
That is awesome! As you pointed out though, it is quite a pain to set up. I still might do it anyway....
What I really had more in mind, is Apple or another company selling their own automation server, or building it into OS X or Time Capsule and then using a bonjour type technology for instant set-up with devices (X10 or some other proprietary solution) that they would sell as well. Instead of a web interface, a nice native iphone app to tie it all together would be nice.
Home automation is an awesome idea but it has never been able to get too much traction with the general public because 1. People are cheap, 2. People don't understand the technology, 3. People don't want to have to cobble it together. I doubt Apple can do anything about people being cheap but they could sell a 1 stop, easy to use and setup, home automation kit that would probably dazzle users and technology writers if done properly.
I am installing some security cameras soon and plan on using either Evocam or Security Spy, as well as possibly the iCam app on the iPhone to monitor them. It would really be cool to be able to buy a kit that includes both hardware, desktop software, and an iPhone app to be able to control all of the things mentioned earlier in one place though. I won't hold my breath, I just want my universal remote app...
Does anyone have any experience with the X10 Commander iPhone app? It looks great (although it requires Windows) but as I said earlier, I'm sure most consumers would appreciate all in one kits for this sort of thing...
Ultimate iPhone App
Facial Recognition with the iPhone camera would rock and with iPhoto 09 would probably not be that hard to do.
Facial Recognition with the iPhone camera would rock and with iPhoto 09 would probably not be that hard to do.
I want a Tomigon Pilot! 
As the name implies, it features TomTom's IQ routes, Navigon's reliable voice turn-by-turn navigation directions and CoPilots multitude of features
Disclaimer: I'm not the developer of the said app, nor will it be developed. I'm just hoping a satnav app would be like that.
I'm tired of waiting for the right satnav app for my needs.
As the name implies, it features TomTom's IQ routes, Navigon's reliable voice turn-by-turn navigation directions and CoPilots multitude of features
Disclaimer: I'm not the developer of the said app, nor will it be developed. I'm just hoping a satnav app would be like that.
I'm tired of waiting for the right satnav app for my needs.
