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[Geewiz]

There are a couple of apps available for the iPhone that can be used to remotely control X10 devices.  Until the developers of those apps re-code them for Android, I've been doing some experimenting on how to do the same thing on my Android phone.

I was initially experimenting with X10Dispatcher.  Having dispatcher reside on my AHP server, I could send a MSN instant message to Dispatcher, which then relayed the command to AHP.  That method worked well, but was tedious to type in commands such as "sendplc C2 off"  for each device.  Then, a few weeks ago MSN messenger ceased sending IM messaged to Dispatcher.  That sent me back to the drawing board.

I've been using VNC (Virtual Network Computer) for years.  This is an open source application for remotely accessing your desktop from any networked computer in the world.  Just a few days ago I discovered that the developers over at TightVNC have developed an Android client to access your VNC server right from your phone.

I loaded AndroidVNC on my phone, set up the connection parameters and without much fanfare was able to log onto and view my AHP server.   Here's a screenshot of the AndroidVNC icon on my phone's desktop...



Clicking on the icon initiates the connection to the server and, after a few seconds, you'll be presented with a view similar to this...


You can now control switches and sliders using the touchscreen on your phone.

There are some drawbacks: initial setup can be a challenge for novices, and you must have a good 3G or wireless connection.  I does, however work!  I can now control AHP from virtually anywhere that I have cell phone service!

[Melloware]

Geewiz,

IF you didn't want the hassle of having to VNC in everytime a quicker solution for now is you could use our X10 Commander PC app and just use HTTP calls in your browser on your Android phone to quickly turn on and off devices.

See this thread for examples...

http://forum.melloware.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7718

That way you could build a quick static HTML page that has links with all your commands in it and just click the links that page.

[Geewiz]

Geewiz,

IF you didn't want the hassle of having to VNC in everytime a quicker solution for now is you could use our X10 Commander PC app and just use HTTP calls in your browser on your Android phone to quickly turn on and off devices.

See this thread for examples...

http://forum.melloware.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7718

That way you could build a quick static HTML page that has links with all your commands in it and just click the links that page.

This is very interesting and works very reliably.  It's not quite as elegant though as VNC.  With VNC, I can touch the switch and see it turn on and off...just as I were sitting in frnt of the server.

With the technique outlined in the link you provide, one has to list each http command individually, which opens up a separate web page indicating that the command was sent. 

Kind of fun to play with though!

Thanks for the input, and am still hoping you will re-code your iphone app for Android!

[Melloware]

Agreed.  I just thought if you had light an "Outdoor Light ON/OFF" macro you would want to execute it quickly over a remote connection without having to VNC in.  More of a shortcuts than full control.

[Geewiz]

Agreed.  I just thought if you had light an "Outdoor Light ON/OFF" macro you would want to execute it quickly over a remote connection without having to VNC in.  More of a shortcuts than full control.

That is VERY valid!  For a quick, no nonsense control execution, using X10Commander is the way to go.  It works quickly and reliably and I've even thought about creating an html page to keep loaded on my phone with button activations for various modules that I'd like to have quick access to without having to load VNC on the phone. 

Question: is there a way to execute the http command without it openening another screen?

Thanks again and I'll continue to play with this and other ways to access AHP from my phone.

[Melloware]

Question: is there a way to execute the http command without it openening another screen?

Thanks again and I'll continue to play with this and other ways to access AHP from my phone.

It depends on your browser but if you want to open it in the same browser window a lot of browsers respect target="_self" like...

Code: [Select]

<a href="some_url.html" target="_self">
See this....

http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/tut/tut25.html

[lost_goddess]

geewiz- i noticed u use android vnc to control AHP i was wondering how u got it to work and what vnc server did u use cause i am having trouble viewing AHP  on my android phone do u have a step by step on how to get it working

[Geewiz]

geewiz- i noticed u use android vnc to control AHP i was wondering how u got it to work and what vnc server did u use cause i am having trouble viewing AHP  on my android phone do u have a step by step on how to get it working

I have a dedicated AHP server that is running TightVNC
http://www.tightvnc.com/

You'll need to open and forward a port on your router in order to access the server.  If you don't have a static IP address, you can use something like http://www.no-ip.com/ to redirect calls to your home computer.

I'll try and create some step by step instructions, but it may take some time as I'm going to be on the road for a while.

[lost_goddess]

ok i will try these website but thanks if u could post step by step instructions...i dont mind if it takes time but thanks so much

[Dan Lawrence]

Dumb question:  What is an Android Phone and what makes it different from any other cell phone?

[Geewiz]

Dumb question:  What is an Android Phone and what makes it different from any other cell phone?

Android is an operating system developed by Google for use on "smartphones."  Think iPhone.  An Android phone, like an iPhone, is able to run applications for a myriad of things from GPS navigation, to email and IM'ing, to watching Youtube videos. 

Here, I talk about running a VNC client for Android, which is something you would normally run on another PC.  With smartphones like Android and iPhone, you can now think of your phone as a portable PC.

A "regular" cell phone lets you place and receive call, text messages, and picture mail.   Yes, Android phones do that, also

Here's a video on Youtube that explains it nicely.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5Io2bdZP1A

Does that help?

[Dan Lawrence]

Thanks for the explanation.  I was curious, but an iPhone is the last thing I want.  Plus it has to run on the AT&T network, which I won't have anything to do with.

[Alan V]

Thanks for the explanation.  I was curious, but an iPhone is the last thing I want.  Plus it has to run on the AT&T network, which I won't have anything to do with.

Looks like you may not have seen the video.  Android OS phones (right now anyway) run on networks other than AT&T.  An Android phone is not an iPhone.

[Dan Lawrence]

Watched the video, saw that Verizon is one the carriers that support Android Phones, but still I'm not interested.   

[Geewiz]

Watched the video, saw that Verizon is one the carriers that support Android Phones, but still I'm not interested.   

I wasn't either...now I can't keep my hands of it