This feature looks at why consumer-based devices are a great replacement for proprietary devices, with a main focus on iOS devices as these are more commonly used in the automation industry.
Previously, integrators and end users had no choice but to use a dedicated and proprietary touch panel to control their home automation or control system if they desired a comprehensive control interface. Since the release of the first iPhone, iPad and Android devices, an explosion has been seen in the number of devices being sold and applications being released that allow these devices to be used as the main control interface.
This feature looks at why consumer-based devices are a great replacement for proprietary devices, with a main focus on iOS devices as these are more commonly used in the automation industry.
Advantages
* Cost: The most obvious advantage is the cost of a smartphone or tablet compared to a proprietary control device. A typical dedicated touch screen could cost well more than US$2,000, while an iPad — which is of similar size and capabilities to common touch panels — will cost under $500. When Android devices are brought into the mix, the cost becomes even lower, and in almost all cases, functionality is not only on par, but often better than that of proprietary devices.
* Availability: These consumer devices are readily available from a number of different sources without the need for special accreditations or being locked into any single distributor.
* Device familiarity: According to Nielsen2, almost half (49.7%) of all US residents own a smartphone. These consumers are likely familiar with iOS or Android devices. If they do not already use one of these, they will have seen them advertised and being used by others. This means that they are conditioned to the look and operation of these devices.
* Processing power: Most proprietary devices have built-in processors; however, the speed and power of these processors are severely lacking when compared with iOS and most Android devices. They also have less memory and only small amounts of storage space for GUI files. This results in special programming being required to work around the limitations of the touch panels, while an iOS device can take almost anything an integrator can throw at it.
* Additional features: Tablets and smartphones have additional features that can be taken advantage of in HA applications. For example, multi-touch is a feature that is not widely included in proprietary devices; this is an extremely powerful feature that allows us to improve human device interaction through using a different number of fingers to interact with the display.
* Existing infrastructure: In many circumstances, the customer will already have a wireless network set up in the house. Because devices such as the iPad utilize standard protocols such as Wi-Fi, in most cases this network can be utilized to connect the mobile devices thatwill control the systems in the premises. This means there is no expensive special cabling required.
Disadvantages
* Lack of hard buttons: Proprietary devices usually have a number of physical buttons that can be programmed to carry out the most common functions such as power on, volume changes and so on, without the need to navigate through pages of GUIs. However, alternative methods of interaction can combat this by designing a GUI that utilizes gestures, sensors and the multitouch interface to allow for commonly used controls to be implemented. For example, volume up and down could be assigned to swipe up and down gestures.
* Screen lock and app launching:
- Screen lock was also an issue on iOS devices, as before iOS 6, slide to unlock could only be disabled on a jail-broken device. With Guided Access on iOS 6, the screen lock function can be disabled, so it launches straight into the app that was open when the screen turned off.
* Software/hardware updates: - Some device manufacturers such as Apple will frequently release software and hardware updates. This would lead some to think that therefore more service calls would be required. Feedback from integrators has indicated that this is not always the case, as a lot of end users are happy to continue using older hardware for control systems (not as entertainment devices). Software updates are more of a problem, but generally software updates are not compulsory and are usually designed so that all previously installed applications will continue to function as usual.
* Wi-Fi downfalls: When talking about iPads and iPhones, Wi-Fi is really the only option for network connectivity. While there is no substitute for a wired connection, making Wi-Fi rock solid has become increasingly easier and inexpensive. There is also a selection of Android devices available that include a wired Ethernet connection.
* Low margins: With Apple tightly controlling the distribution and selling of its products, it is next to impossible to make decent margins on their equipment if you are planning on reselling it. However, with the right thinking and planning, integrators can make the money up in other aspects of the job, and your programming and installations will actually make more money due to being more efficient, and in the end you may win more jobs due to reduced costs.
Debunking Misconceptions
* No centralized app: Once again, it is a case of moving away from the proprietary control systems and apps and choosing one that publishes open protocols to allow for simple control of many different systems from a single app. And if for some reason you really need to switch apps, applications are available to allow programmers to perform the app switch from within the programmed GUI interactively.
* Latency issues: It is usually a case of incorrect programming, a misconfigured network, or choosing an inferior application. A proprietary system is often slower as it bottlenecks through a single controller instead of communicating with individual devices concurrently
* Easily broken: These days, even proprietary devices have embraced capacitive technology for obvious reasons, and hence, are just as easy to break. Protective cases are much more readily available for consumer devices. While proprietary panels may still be the better choice in some jobs from the point of reliability, this option is fast becoming difficult to justify from the point of cost, performance and feel. Technology is constantly changing, and not always in the right direction; a decision that was right yesterday may be wrong today. Regardless of the direction chosen, what is most important is to stay informed.