[quote=“Wekurtz74, post:18, topic:178260”]SirMeili:
I don’t know about the instant status, that would be something they have to answer. Your reasoning seems logical though.
Regarding your Tablet vs BRight switch, here are my thoughts. I was going to go with the tablet option, but it is a bit of a PITA – need a plug nearby, mount it awkwardly on the wall, loose and unsightly wires, young children pulling the wires out and attempting to remove the tablet, drawing a lot of electricity.
Originally, I set up a couple of tablets and wanted them to recognize voice commands – I used 3 apps – open mic +, tasker and AUthomation HD. I abandoned the idea fairly quickly, in part for the reasons I set forth above, plus my voice commands were not being recognzed well on tablets (as opposed to my Android phone which did pretty well).
If you have concerns regarding development issues, I would say just email them – there is an email address on the website I think for developers. I have no skill on that subject, so I can help you in a meaninfull or reliable way.[/quote]
Hi Wekurtz74,
I actually plan/planned on doing a custom mount for the tablets in the locations that they’d be on the wall. I was going to use Nexus 7 2013s and mount the wireless charger in the wall (2012’s in docks in other places). Then, either using magnets or some of those “tablet wall holders” ($15 on amazon), just have them up there. This way, someone could take one and use it to watch hulu (netflix, pandora, etc), or take it with them to control lights. I am currently using ImperiHome for my tablets (AutHomation on my phones) and with their new plugin I can do things like turn on the tablet and turn to a specific dashboard when you turn on a light in a room (hence the need for instant status). I actually don’t currently have any plans on using voice recognition at this time as I don’t think it’s mature enough. I do plan on utilizing either the VeraAlerts TTS or ImperiHome’s TTS for whole house notifications.
I’m really drawn though with these switches. This is how I look at it:
Cons:
[ol][li]Unlike a tablet, once it’s dated, how hard will it be to swap out. They don’t seem to list the stats (granted, I didn’t look too hard). Swapping out a tablet should be relatively easy as long as it uses the same wireless tech.[/li]
[li]Unlike a tablet I can’t just take it off the wall.[/li]
[li]I’m not sure, but I didn’t see a way to hook the audio stream to a whole house audio setup. I would prefer this than to use the speaker on the switch. Perhaps this is what the BT is for, but that seems like a very limited solution[/li]
[li]I’m pretty confident that at this point in time, I could add a dry contact sensor for my door bell and have all my tablets wake up and go to a specific page (With a camera feed on it) and say something. I’m not sure I can that with this out of the box with my Vera[/li]
[li]Limitation to 1-3 gangs. I have some places that have 5 gangs. I’m sure they could overcome this. At the same time I want to be able to buy extras if possible[/li][/ol]
Pros:
[ol][li]Easier to add (for a tablet I have to do some electrical wiring, which I won’t have to do with these except the places that require a neutral and there is not one)[/li]
[li]Whole house Intercom (could be added to the other apps, but I have to depend on the developer)[/li]
[li] Cameras, mic, extra sensors, though I dont’ believe they said the’ll be accessible as IP cameras yet, once again limiting me to their app or the other wall controllers.[/li][/ol]
I think it’s great deal for the price, I’m just worried they won’t “fit the bill” for me and that if I get them (I would look at getting 5-10… one for each bedroom and one for a central area like the kitchen). I’m almost wanting to wait to see if they come out how much they’ll be and just wait (of course they have to get funded). It seems amazing to me that they have fit so much in that wall switch for so little money!!
I’ve asked some questions on the site and we’ll see what they say. I’m still on the fence, but I’m leaning more and more to getting some to try out even if I go tablets in most places.
