Ok, I know its been a long time, a painfully, painfully long time, but I have good news. H@me has reached version 2.0!
The first version of H@me was software I wrote to “scratch an itch”. I wanted to write a complete iPhone app and I also wanted a better way to control the Omnipro that runs my house. It was a lot of fun to write and seemed to be generally useful to others
Since then I have spent my spare cycles building other software projects, some of them related to home automation, some of them not. But the one constant has been your steady stream of emails and posts, “great app, when’s version 2 coming out?”. It has been this kind of feedback that motivated me to come back and pick up the project again. Where the first release was completely motivated by my own requirements, this release has been driven by the comments, emails and bug/features tickets that users have left me. I will be charging for the application, but in return I will be releasing a more steady stream of updates based on your input.
While H@me II has much of the same look and feel as the first version, much has been changed under the hood. Since the first release in 2008, HAI has created a new version of their communication protocol. This allows for better discovery and control over their panels as well as using TCP rather then UDP. This required a rewrite to my objective-c network implementation, something I had done already in JAVA with my open source library jomniLinkII. I have actually been using the new protocol in H@me for the last 8 months and have been very happy with it. A consequence of using this new protocol is that H@me II will only support Omni/Lumina units running firmware 3.0+. Users running 2.1x can easily upgrade their firmware to support H@me II.
I will be charging a reasonable amount for the app this time. I’m doing so for two reasons. First is that I am no longer building the app for myself, but rather for others based on the features they have requested. And two, by charging for the app I have an obligation to make releases and improvements, it acts as a motivator and a contract.
So armed with a new network stack and a much better model for talking with the omni hardware, H@me II is almost ready for release. Here are a list of the new features going out.
- General Security
- Prompt for code at connect
- This was the single most requested feature to date, and rightly so. Now when the app connects it prompts you for your personal code which is then validated by your system. There is an option to save this code which is disabled by default. Even when saved, if the phone was lost you could always change your code on the Omni/Lumina.
- Hidden keys
- This is a small change, but once your 2 keys are entered they are no longer visible through the preference screen.
- Prompt for code at connect
- Control (lights)
- Auto detection of rooms, units and flags
- One of the benefits of HAI’s new communication protocol is I can now detect different types of units. No more “use rooms” switch in the preference screen.
- Flags
- Flags are now correctly displayed with their own icon and can be switched on or off. I plan in a future release to add increment/decrement ability as well.
- Display scenes
- Lights will now display their scene if one is activated. I am getting feedback on the best way to implement activating scenes (the omni supports many types of scenes across multiple lighting vendors, so it gets a little complicated).
- Auto detection of rooms, units and flags
- Thermostats
- Temperature and Humidity Sensors
- This was the second most requested feature. You can now display any indoor/outdoor temperature and humidity sensors.
- Hold Status
- You can now display and switch on/off the hold status on thermostats.
- Temperature and Humidity Sensors
- Zones
- Better layout
- Bypass and restore zones
- Event Log
- This was also a highly requested feature, you can now view the system’s event log which displays events like when the system was armed, disarmed, communication failures, etc…
- Lots and lots and lots of bug fixes……
There may be other features that make it in to this release such as support for more then Russound audio controllers, scenes selection and a celsius display option. Features I have slotted in for updates to this release are multiple controller/house support and multiple area control.
I will let everyone know when I submit it to the Apple store.
Dan-
(PS, everyone loves screen shots)
Great news! Any pricing guidance?
Can’t Wait!
I can’t wait for the new release. I hope I’ll be able to use the app both within my home network and outside my home network without manually changing the I.P. address.
Great work!
First I would like to say thank you for creating an app that is certainly desired by any person who owns an iphone and has an HAI system.
I just installed version 1 of h@me and coppied all the values into the preferences directly from the values used for my Snaplink (which works perfectly). I keep getting the message: “Connection Failed, Network Connection Failed” and it gives me the option to cancel or reconnect. Any ideas what I am doing wrong?
Any eta when the new version will be released to the Apple store?
i also just installed version 1, it works perfect. i have a fairly large hai system that controls all the usual stuff plus all the blinds in my house, entrance gate, and garage doors, being able to now control all of this from my iphone completes the system, thanks and can’t wait for vesion 2
Hi, Christmas gift? .. maybe.. i hope!
Thanks..
This is EXACTLY what I NEED! I can’t wait to get my hands on your software!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
I can’t wait for the new release… and… Italian Version !!!
Just another note of encouragement. Can’t wait for the new version and will look forward to purchacing when available!
any eta on ver 2? great product!!!
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Dan – Any update on the new version? I’m wearing out my mouse clicking “Check for Updates” in iTunes!
I do not have IP cameras, but rather regular CCTV type on the video controller board. Would be nice to pick up this type feed to see in H@me as well. I think HAI converts to IP stream anyway to get it to the Omnitouch screens. Not sure how tough this would be but I understand the current version supports IP cameras only.
Also want to reinforce that this is a great app. Looking forward to the new one. If you need beta testers let me know. I have a fairly extensive system, including the Russound CAV and do all the programming myself.
Cheers to you Dan!
@Eric, I’m just waiting on a few things, I really want to get his submitted soon to apple, I post when I do it. From there it could 2 to 4 weeks for Apple to approve.
@John Unfortunately the omni video is not IP, I have the same setup, what I do is split the video from each camera, one goes to the HAI encoder, the other goes to an ip video server (aviosys 9100 running yoics firmware).
I cant find the old app for the i phone did they delete it until you get the new one up and running? it not whats the search key word it used to be omni home automation
i got it H@me
dan, thats great news. i am bummed out though that you choose to remove the “lights” option and i assume add it into “control”? i believe the previous layout was much better. also, if you have time check out the live iphone demo available from homelogic. their setup is perfect… if you could add a few graphics, your app would be killer. love to know what you think.
I’d have to echo Anthony’s comments about Homelogic’s interface. You’ve done the hard work in building incredible functionality into the app, putting some nice graphics around it (and a few functionality tweaks like their lighting control, etc.) would put it in another class all together. Everyone that has commented in the app store is happy to pay a fair price for this, since HAI seems unwilling to come out with their own app. Thanks for all of your hard work, and looking forward to v2!
I see in the event log you are querrying and reporting the code ID, code #1, #255, etc. Is it possible to cross reference the user name associated with each code? For example, I have a code for ‘Sitter’ that is infrequently used and turns on and off. Would be very handy to not have to keep track of what codes are assigned to whom. Seems you are already doing or reading through this lookup in other areas.
If you get a chance, I’d love to hear a bit more about your CCTV to IP trick. Video on the iPhone wouls be great. I’m already thinking UPS guy rings bell, bell pings me on iPhone, open camera section to verify UPS, open garage, close garage. Man that would be great. This app has me creating all manner of new automation scripts.
Kudos and Cheers to you Dan!
@anthony I just renamed Lights to Control to match HAI’s naming convention, its the exact same menu.
@John The system should have the name for the codes, my first code is not named so it is showing up with its numeric value. 255 is the system user, for the release I will call it system or something to that effect.
Will this scale nice on the new ipad? I thought that h@me2 would be nice to run on the ipad and hang it on the wall to view cams, etc.
Dan,
Do you have an ETA on the 2.0 release?
..sorry, I did not understand .. will be an update or a new application on the apple store?
How long will I suffer again? …
thanks Dan..
-vincent-
I can’t wait for 2.0. I really hope there is Nuvo support. That is the one thing that I am really missing!
When will you add Android to your hobbies?
-j
@everyone I just spent a long weekend getting the rest of the bugs worked out, fixing typos, etc… Right now its done, I’m just going to put it through some networking stress tests over the next few days to try and get it to break. Otherwise its off to the iPhone store.
@nic I added support for Nuvo yesterday (as well as HAI hifi, speakercraft and xantech).
Perhaps the new version could address the following:
-allow for dimming of lights (not just off/on)
-allow buttons to be updated in real time (without refreshing)
regards
Aaron
I will be getting the Russound MCA-05 distrubution amp with the MDK-C5 controller. Do you know if I can controll the Russound system, including selecting zones and sources with this app?
Dan great news about completing v2. Do you have any guidance on when we can expect to see it available on the App Store (how long does Apple take) and what you’ll be pricing it at?
Dan,
I have been using your h@me for awhile and it works very well however I do have one question. Could you tell me why my outside temp does not display in the Security Zone screen? It always shows Not ready. It does display on my home HAI control panel and on the Omnistat.
Thanks for your help
Mike
Help cannot conect outside of my net work
Hi, sorry but I did not understand what problem you have on your network.. I thought the work had already been sent to the Apple store ..! bye
-vinc-
I’m useing h@me on a iPod touch
works great but only when im
in the house I can’t make it
work any where else what am I
doing wrong
I wonder if anyone has used this application with a central Italian version.. (Sistema Casa)
Thank you.
-vinc-
How long after release do you think it will be before non on/off flags are supported. I use many flags as numeric counters.
Do you have any ideas of a rough cost yet?
Thanks
Paul
@Aaron dimming is supported in 2.0 on individual lights
@Mike Outside temps and humidity sensors now show up under the temperature menu
@Dan if its not working outside your network you need to configure your cable/dsl modem/firewall to forward UDP and TCP port 4369 back to the internal ip address of your omni/lumina. Then the ip address you connect to in H@me needs to be your external IP addresss (not 192.168.xxx.xxx) or a dns name (take a look at http://www.dyndns.com/services/dns/dyndns/ for free dynamic dns services if you don’t have a static ip)
@borvin if its just a re-branded omni or lumina then it should. I have also implemented Celsius support so you won’t be forced to read your temps in F
@Paul I have on and off working on flags, It sounds like you need increment/decrement support? I’ll see what I can do.
Dan, when do you think version 2.0 will be available in the Apple store? I am waiting anxiously…Thanks!
Hi Dan, i have a PC with a snap-link and the central is seen as a “omnipro II”, unfortunately the firmware is 2.15 ..
hoped that with the upgrade to the h@me the problem was solved, but still does not load data from the central, but the link is there.
thanks..
-vinc-
@borvin 2.15 wont work with 2.0, in the states an upgrade chip is around 50$ us dollars, not sure about how to get an Italian upgrade chip, I would ping your installer.
Dan thanks for the tip it
works great now can not wait
for h@me2
Dan – I don’t need increment and decrement support, as the Omnipro does all that, but do need to see the values of the flags if possible.
Paul
@Paul I just finished better flag support, it now displays the flag value as well as lets you /- or set the value with a slider.
someone has the omnipro II in Italian version?
Thanks..
-vinc-
Thanks Dan for the update on flags
I look forward to the upgrade
Paul
Dan i see you’ve posted a couple of updates to H@me 1.0 on the iPhone App Store. I just wanted to confirm that crashing upon trying to reload the names cache is expected behavior on these updated versions?
I had the same issue w/ the first version of H@me and it appears to be tied to my use of User Settings. Is this something that will only be fixed on H@me 2?
@js H@me 2.0 correctly handles user settings. additionally I will be asking users for 2.1 feature requests, changing user setting from H@me might be a possible feature.
Congratulations Dan….we have been an HAI 5 Star dealer for many years and recommend your product to all of our clients. Feedback has been incredibly positive with some clients telling us they don’t even use the touchscreens on their walls anymore. I hope you profit well and continue to enhance this product. I’ve been promoting H@me for a long time because I am a huge fan. This has such a “WOW” factor in our showroom and helps us sell Omni systems….so thank you!!!
I have only a few feature requests that you didn’t already address above.
1) The ability to connect to more than one Omni and save those settings to quickly switch between them. Many of our clients have vacation homes and I have an Omni at my home and both offices.
2) The soon to be released iPad is going to be a great device for the family room couch and I’m betting it will have a significant influence on home control. Please consider an iPad version that will take advantage of the higher resolution screen.
3) It has been crashing lately….this never used to happen.
@Mike Thanks for the great feedback, its genuinely appreciated.
Multiple home support is definitely one of my next priorities along with multiple area support.
As for the iPad, I agree its ideal as a home automation controller, I have lots of ideas on how to redesign H@me for it, but really need to get a hold of one first before I make any decisions.
as for the crashing, this is most likely due to “User Settings”, a feature added to HAI firmware 3.0 . H@me v2.0 will address this, additionally I plan to add the ability to view and modify user settings in a not to distant release.
Great job on version 2 Dan. Just purchased it from the itunes store and everything works great. Only feature I cannot find is how to change between celsius and farenheit for thermostats? I love the ability to dim lights, check event logs, view indoor/outdoor temp sensors and the added security of entering the alarm access code.
Keep up the good work.
thanks
Aaron
p.s. as other customers have mentioned, the ability to control more than one HAI system would be great. Hopefully this will be included in future released.
@Aaron Celsius / Farenheit display is pulled from your controller, so whatever is set up there will be reflected in H@me. I could set something up in prefs screen to have H@me use Auto/F/C and give the user a choice that is different then what is on their controller. There is a feedback section at http://digitaldan.com/home for ideas if you want to see this in a future release (would not be hard to implement). Thank for you positive feedback.
Dan, I was thinking about marketability and had a thought. It may be beneficial for you to offer a stripped down light / free version similar to H@ME 1, but perhaps even stripped down a little further. This way, potential customers could try before they buy as I know many people are wary about spending $40 on an application without first knowing if it works or not. I would have been skeptical about purchasing it myself if I had not first had the opportunity to use H@ME 1 for the past few months. Just my two cents.
regards
Aaron
@Aaron, I am submitting “H@me 2.0 Tester” today, a free app which connects to your system and tells you how many of each device you have to solve this issue.
Dan, I added alot of name for units in the omni pro2 this weekend and my 1.0 will no longer connect to my controller in network or 3G anymore. I downloaded/purchased 2.0 and there was no change. My PC acess still works fine remotely with the same keys, codes, etc as entered in the iphone. I see “loading name cache, then it kicks out or network connection failed each time” any ideas?
And I do already have a dyndns account.
@Chris do any of the names contain non alpha numeric characters (a-Z 0-9), that’s the only thing I can think of right now. It has to be something simple, I’m sure we can get it working again. Could you send me the names you entered to homeapp @ digitaldan .com ?
I had to delete names under “user settings” for version 1.0 to work. Has that been fixed in 2.0? 2.0 still won’t connect to the controller via router on network or 3G. Do I have to delete one of the apps for the other to work? 1.0 had collons between each key number, is it the same for 2.0 or is it dashes like the hai controller?
@chris I just emailed you, thanks.
HI, i just upgraded from the free Iphone “HOME” app to the new $40 version, but it does not work, the old one works fine still but the new one cannot connect even though i just copied and pasted all the same data from the old version. Can you refund me or help me get it working. As soon as i press the icon it says “connecting” then after a min it said “connection Failed” it does the same weather i am connected to the home wifi which is the same network the HAI is on, or even if i am using 3g and connecting remotely. Thanks
Dan, when you turn on the H@ME 2 program it asks for your access code. If you click cancel you are then able to click preferences and view IP, Port etc. Is there any way this could be fixed so that someone cannot view the preferences without first entering the pass code. This is just a safety precaution in case someone loses their iphone or itouch. . .
thanks
Aaron
Is 2.o off the grid… I want to purchase it after finally being able to connect…I had a new chip put in the OMNI that supports connection , previously only supported UDP
Thanks Russ
Russ, 2.0.6 contained a bug that prevented users from saving their preferences. I pulled it on Thursday and submitted 2.0.7 to apple at the same time. Hopefully apple will approve it on monday afternoon so it can be available by that evening. I’ll post back here when it goes live.
Dan would you e-mail me when the app is up please. Thanks, Russ