Dear creator of Mobilinc: Have you given up on the android?

[Blackbird]

I've asked this a long time ago and was told updates are on the way. Why is there still nothing? No new features? When will this happen? If it won't then just be honest with your customers and tell us so we can move on.

Thanks

[giesen]

Better yet, open source it so someone else can continue development...

 

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

[InsteonNut]

Hi Blackbird,

 

We haven't given up on Android, but I don't have any announcements today to share regarding MobiLinc for Android.

 

Wes

[larryllix]

That didn't answer most of the questions.

[Blackbird]

Hi Blackbird,

 

We haven't given up on Android, but I don't have any announcements today to share regarding MobiLinc for Android.

 

Wes

Considering how much time has past and you can't even let us know on possible upcoming features then I would say you have given up on it or you believe your customers are just going to keep waiting for years to come in the hope you will improve it. It's a good app but for God sakes spend some time and money on this. It wasn't a cheap app and I'd like to see improvements made on my investment.

 

"Android remained the world's most widely used smartphone operating system with 80.7 percent market share, while iOS recorded 17.7 percent market."

 

Do you not see your earning potential with the fact that there are far more android phones out there and continue to be than the iPhone.? But yet you spend all your time on the iPhone. I don't get it. 80% vs 17% do you see a problem here?

[G W]

Considering how much time has past and you can't even let us know on possible upcoming features then I would say you have given up on it or you believe your customers are just going to keep waiting for years to come in the hope you will improve it. It's a good app but for God sakes spend some time and money on this. It wasn't a cheap app and I'd like to see improvements made on my investment.

 

"Android remained the world's most widely used smartphone operating system with 80.7 percent market share, while iOS recorded 17.7 percent market."

 

Do you not see your earning potential with the fact that there are far more android phones out there and continue to be than the iPhone.? But yet you spend all your time on the iPhone. I don't get it. 80% vs 17% do you see a problem here?

But, it seems most ISY users have an Apple product.

 

Short and to the point.

Best regards,

Gary Funk

[IVB]

But, it seems most ISY users have an Apple product.

 

Short and to the point.

Best regards,

Gary Funk

 

That might be a self-fulfilling prophecy. I'm on Android, I was considering buying it as I'm creating redundant paths for my setup, but shied away when it seemed like it was abandoned. 

 

How many Android users don't look at ISY due to lack of Android support isn't possible to determine, but there are certainly many with complex HA setups on Android due to Tasker. For many, mobile web interaction is right on the edge of acceptable. (I personally don't use it, too hard for my fat fingers to accurately hit menu items)

[G W]

I'm on Android and went years without an application. Two years ago I started writing one and had a lot of functions working. Agave came out and I've put my support and $$$ there.

 

Short and to the point.

Best regards,

Gary Funk

[paulbates]

That might be a self-fulfilling prophecy. I'm on Android, I was considering buying it as I'm creating redundant paths for my setup, but shied away when it seemed like it was abandoned. 

 

How many Android users don't look at ISY due to lack of Android support isn't possible to determine, but there are certainly many with complex HA setups on Android due to Tasker. For many, mobile web interaction is right on the edge of acceptable. (I personally don't use it, too hard for my fat fingers to accurately hit menu items)

 

The other web alternative is to "bite the bullet" and create HAD pages with larger buttons that work the way you want. Its not as feature filled as mobile apps/tasker, but it is platform independent, ... the home pcs can use them too. These pages serve through the portal for external access.

 

Paul

[TheFallenAngel]

I don't understand why none of those developers are not writing Hybrid applications?! Write once - post on all 3 mobile platforms..

 

Cheers,

Alex

[Blackbird]

That might be a self-fulfilling prophecy. I'm on Android, I was considering buying it as I'm creating redundant paths for my setup, but shied away when it seemed like it was abandoned. 

 

How many Android users don't look at ISY due to lack of Android support isn't possible to determine, but there are certainly many with complex HA setups on Android due to Tasker. For many, mobile web interaction is right on the edge of acceptable. (I personally don't use it, too hard for my fat fingers to accurately hit menu items)

As I've said before, in my opinion apple users like things to just work without messing with it. Android users like the freedom to customize. Big example is tasker. And once again in my opinion that mentality goes along with the reason why we enjoy the isy for the customization factor. So I would think more android users use isy then apple but there probably are no stats to support that. Regardless 80% vs 17% it's a no Brainerd.

[G W]

I don't understand why none of those developers are not writing Hebrides applications?! Write once - post on all 3 mobile platforms..

 

Cheers,

Alex

I don't know either. Adobe built the tools to do this. However you still need devices to test with.

 

Short and to the point.

Best regards,

Gary Funk

[TheFallenAngel]

I don't know either. Adobe built the tools to do this. However you still need devices to test with.

 

Short and to the point.

Best regards,

Gary Funk

There are virtual test apps as part of it all.. Anyway, just wondering in my head..

 

Cheers,

Alex

[IVB]

As I've said before, in my opinion apple users like things to just work without messing with it. Android users like the freedom to customize. Big example is tasker. And once again in my opinion that mentality goes along with the reason why we enjoy the isy for the customization factor. So I would think more android users use isy then apple but there probably are no stats to support that. Regardless 80% vs 17% it's a no Brainerd.

 

I wouldn't agree with "apple users like things to just work", Apple users cannot have their phones assist in home automation and they're okay with that. Apps != home automation, thats home-alternative-manual-control. I use NFC and GPS cell towers to perform home automation tasks. I can't do that with Apple. Thats a key part of my setup, and not one i'm willing to give up. 

 

Note: I had Apple for 3 years, and Microsoft before that. I am *NOT* wedded to Android. I just bought my high schooler an iPhone7, wife has a 6S, other kid has an SE. My life is harder because I went with Android. If Apple comes out with a tasker equivalent where I can use NFC, GPS, or other mechanisms to leverage my phone for home automation I will happily switch back.

[IVB]

The other web alternative is to "bite the bullet" and create HAD pages with larger buttons that work the way you want. Its not as feature filled as mobile apps/tasker, but it is platform independent, ... the home pcs can use them too. These pages serve through the portal for external access.

 

Paul

 

I don't know what HAD is. Does that require programming?  I programmed for a loooong time, that part of my life is now behind me, I will exchange money for goods&services so someone else does that

[paulbates]

I don't know what HAD is. Does that require programming?  I programmed for a loooong time, that part of my life is now behind me, I will exchange money for goods&services so someone else does that

 

HAD is the Home Automation Dashboard. Not programming per-se.... its a customize-able AJAX web page from UDI, provided as a configurable replacement to the ISY's standard web pages.

 

Navigate to your ISY's web page and select the option to use HAD instead of the default UDI pages. That will give you an idea what it looks like. There were some great sample images on the board under the link above, unfortunately it looks like they are no longer there.

 

Paul

[io_guy]

I don't understand why none of those developers are not writing Hebrides applications?! Write once - post on all 3 mobile platforms..

 

Cheers,

Alex

I was close to doing the same with Xamarin last year. Other developers came along and other platforms like Home Assistant, so I didn't bother.

[jtara92101]

I think some of you are being too hard on the author. At the same time, I guess the original poster has a point - if they are not going to make an Android version, it might be good to make a statement to that effect.

 

I think I can cast some light here, since I am an app developer, and create cross-platform apps. I create cross-platform apps for big companies and organizations, most of which never see the light of day on the App Store, as they are used internally only. There is a push today for BYOD or "bring your own device" within companies, if only for - for example - managers to be able to stay connected without having to take home some chunky work device. And, also, because employees can feel more comfortable using their own devices. So, I have a great deal of experience with this.

 

Presuming Mobilinc is a native iOS app, then making an Android app would be a complete rewrite - EITHER to make a native Android app, OR to make a cross-platform app.

 

There are a few choices for cross-platform development - most - but not all - use a WebView to present HTML content, and provide APIs for some high-level language (usually - but not always - Javascript) to access device resources not normally available in a browser environment. 

 

There are tradeoffs vs native development. Native development almost always means native look-and-feel. Cross-platform development (almost) always means abandoning native look-and-feel. Sometimes this annoys users, but mostly it is a good thing. If you have users in a mixed-platform environment, it is much easier for them all to have the same user interface. Imagine having to train users when half of them have one UI and half have another! Sometimes authors do try to mimic the look-and-feel of each platform, or pick one and use that look-and-feel across all.

 

The most popular cross-platform framework is PhoneGap/Cordova. (Both basically the same - Cordova is open-source, PhoneGap is an Adobe product.) It works with HTML pages presented in a WebView, with programming done in Javascript. The Javascript runs in the Webview, which can be a performance snag, and can be limiting, but it works well for a large number of types of apps. I think, though, that apps like Mobilinc are probably not one of the types of apps that would go well with this approach.

 

I use a (much) less popular framework called Rhomobile Rhodes. It uses HTML pages and Javascript as well, but (generally) the Javascript is only for UI-related stuff - the same way that Javascript is used for web sites. It includes an embedded server, and that server is programmed in Ruby. The webview makes requests to the internal server. "heavy lifting" like business logic, communication with "back end" APIs, etc. are typically done in Ruby. (As a concession to developers who refuse to learn a new language, they do provide a "bridge" of their Ruby APIs to Javascript. So, it POSSIBLE to just use Javascript, but for much of the APIs, your Javascript code is just asking the server to run some Ruby code, and the Javascript API stubs hide that from you - not a great way to go, but some insist and it is supported.)

 

Rhomobile was a startup company. They were bought by Motorola Solutions, which has subsequently been bought by Zebra. Zebra has now freed Rhodes as open source. (Actually, the BULK of it has always been open source - but now Zebra has freed most of it, save for proprietary stuff for their own devices and Motorola devices.)

 

You know those chunky devices you see on belts of employees at Home Depot or McDonalds? Motorola Solutions. Or, now, Zebra. So the reason Motorola had bought RhoMobile was because it seemed a good tool for writing apps for those chunky devices. Because that has been the primary focus of Rhodes, you seldom hear about it. It's big companies writing apps for their own use, that they mostly don't want to talk about. (Unless they are promoting how forward-thinking they are or some-such.

 

THIS IS HOW MOST APP DEVELOPERS MAKE THEIR MONEY. Writing apps that the public will never hear about and getting paid real money for it. Not putting out apps on the app store on a wing and a prayer. MOST app store releases are not financially successful. Those that are are VERY few and far between. (SimpleControl is one of the few in a HA-related space that has apparently done very well - as evidenced by their frequent releases packed with new features and support for new home entertainment devices.)  But the market for something like Mobilinc may not really be big enough to support a great deal of development. And it is a long and winding and expensive road to the kind of success that SimpleControl has enjoyed. (Well, I HOPE there has been financial success for them!)

 

I do think Rhomobile Rhodes would be up to the task of something like Mobilinc. So, there exists at least one cross-platform framework that would do the job. There certainly are others, just not Phonegap/Cordova, and yes, I have done development in that platform.

 

As far as Android development goes, test devices are not a significant barrier. I actually only use a cheap Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet when I want to test on Android hardware. I use the excellent GenyMotion virtual simulator mostly. (It runs in VirtualBox.) They provide simulations of most of the current popular devices. Unlike the Google simulator, it runs full-speed (or more) as it uses an X-86 Android image. (I build my Android apps dual-target anyway, for both ARM and X86). The real barrier here is that the app most likely is native for iOS and so it is a complete rewrite no matter which way you go. As well as a rewrite, then there is learning a completely new platform. Even if going with cross-platform, some Android knowledge would be needed.

 

I think there are many product categories where the market just settles into an iOS solution and a different Android solution from a different company. This may be one of them. I know that's not what mixed-platform families and companies, and those who are platform-agnostic want to hear.

 

I think you guys should back-off on the demands and unrealistic expectations. It would be good, though, for the author to be more transparent and/or realistic about the prospects for an Android version. But that is their choice. I do think it's best not to keep stringing-along customers or potential customers if the goal is not realistic.

[jtara92101]

Oh, and BTW, what are Hebrides applications? I admit, that doing programming from an archipelago comprising hundreds of islands off the northwest coast of Scotland sounds attractive, though!

[larryllix]

OK what is Wes supposed to do?

 

He gets bitched at because he charged a whole $20 for his android app, for being too much money and probably sold a whopping 20, maybe 30,40 copies?

 

Now he is supposed to sweat writing software for a device that he probably doesn't even own anymore?

 

I think everybody should be demanding this from UDI

Not somebody that did it as a hobby with no incentive to go further.

 

But I want it and I want it right now! Whaaaaa!

 

 

Cripes people! Write the app yourselves!

[TheFallenAngel]

Oh, and BTW, what are Hebrides applications? I admit, that doing programming from an archipelago comprising hundreds of islands off the northwest coast of Scotland sounds attractive, though!

HYBRID

 

Cheers,

Alex

[TheFallenAngel]

OK what is Wes supposed to do?

 

He gets bitched at because he charged a whole $20 for his android app, for being too much money and probably sold a whopping 20, maybe 30,40 copies?

 

Now he is supposed to sweat writing software for a device that he probably doesn't even own anymore?

 

I think everybody should be demanding this from UDI

Not somebody that did it as a hobby with no incentive to go further.

 

But I want it and I want it right now! Whaaaaa!

People will always bitch for something that is not free.. Look at Agave selling much more at $99 and is still "new"..

 

For me this is just a mood point - I skipped the app control all together and just doing voice control.. Who has the time to find a device, open an app, find resource to command and do it.. At this point is easier to just go press the KPL

 

I know, I know apps have their place but since using Alexa for everything I just found I really don't need an app.

 

But my original point is that in this day in age who ever builds apps must go Hybrid, so with single effort they work in any Web browser, Android, iOS and Windows..

 

Cheers,

Alex

[Blackbird]

OK what is Wes supposed to do?

He gets bitched at because he charged a whole $20 for his android app, for being too much money and probably sold a whopping 20, maybe 30,40 copies?

Now he is supposed to sweat writing software for a device that he probably doesn't even own anymore?

I think everybody should be demanding this from UDI

Not somebody that did it as a hobby with no incentive to go further.

But I want it and I want it right now! Whaaaaa!

Cripes people! Write the app yourselves!

Are you kidding me? First I believe I spent around $45 for the app. Could be wrong and second you think he sold 20 to 30 copies? I know 5 people in my city that own it. Try thousands. Besides that it's not the point. I do expect him to upgrade it and why is that unreasonable? And he is within his rights to not upgrade it. I'm just tired of being strung along and told that he will be upgrading it when he doesn't for years. Just tell the truth to the customer and we will stop recommending the app and find something else. Let me guess you have an apple.

[larryllix]

Are you kidding me? First I believe I spent around $45 for the app. Could be wrong and second you think he sold 20 to 30 copies? I know 5 people in my city that own it. Try thousands. Besides that it's not the point. I do expect him to upgrade it and why is that unreasonable? And he is within his rights to not upgrade it. I'm just tired of being strung along and told that he will be upgrading it when he doesn't for years. Just tell the truth to the customer and we will stop recommending the app and find something else. Let me guess you have an apple.

The app was $20 and still is.

Reviews on the app in the PlayStore do number a few hundred so that is a basic indicator we both exaggerated.

 

You request for what is happening is a reasonable request. Your tone is just  demanding and rude as was many following posters.

 

I would like to see MobiLinc Pro advance to a better app also and fill in some of the gaps that have developed by the ISY and devices changing and upgrading.

 

I have an Apple? Don't be so insulting.   I think Wes has gone over to Apple though.

 

How much are you willing to pay for Wes to sit for months to upgrade the app I doubt he uses? Another measly $20?

 $50?

$100 for a completely new App since the existing one is so bad and useless?

Send him your android phone to develop it on?

 

Maybe that wasn't the expected caveat?

[IVB]

I'm not blaming anyone for anything, all i'm saying is that ISY not having a regularly updated Android App has ramifications. The # of people using ISY with mobile phones is not going to aligned with mobile OS penetration as the two apps aren't created equal.

 

For me this is not a huge issue as I paint my own mobile screens with CQC. I just wanted a redundant path in case my windows machine goes kaput.  Although i'm shifting to a virtualized environment within 2 weeks once hardware gets here, I can put CQC & SQL*Server in their own VM. The M$ instability issues are because i'm overloading machines with highly divergent apps.