Recently I tried to run Plutohome Orbiter 2.0.0.44 with LinuxMCE RC1. But without luck. Because as I understand RC1 corresponds to Plutohome 2.0.0.45. So, I tested 2.0.0.45 version of Orbiter on my Nokia N800 and it works! Currently the Orbiter is available as tar file only. But I’m going to build a package for Nokia and place it on Maemo garage this week.
This is a good news for all MotoQ and Treo owners. According to that post on Pluthome forum next release (I hope) will include a Mobile Orbiter (PlutMO) for those Windows based smartphones (and maybe for all the rest) which will work over WiFi. Originally, those phones don’t have built-in WiFi adapter but they allow to use miniSD WiFi card. Currently Treo can be used as Mobile Orbiter with Bluetooth dongle. MotoQ uses different Bluetooth driver. As result, it doesn’t work with PlutoMO.
Support of Symbian 60 3rd edition is also pending task of Pluto developers. The latest phones use that OS. But PlutoMO doesn’t work with it. Developers promised to add support of latest Symbian soon (I’m afraid it wont be 2.0.0.45).
Currently following mobile phones can be used as PlutoMO:
P. S. If MotoQ and Treo will communicate with Pluto via WiFi the cool media feature ‘Follow Me’ will be lost.
Since the Nokia770/N800 Orbiter for Plutohome 2.0.0.44 works fine I started to port my changes to coming 2.0.0.45 version. The good opportunity to do that was request one of Plutohome user who built 2.0.0.45 from the sources and would like to test Nokia Orbiter there.
I was very surprised when I started compile the Orbiter. I didn’t see any warnings about unusable variables or wrong type casting! Respect Plutohome developers for cleaning their code. This is a sure sign of coming stable version because the current one is still beta with all the ensuing consequences. Also, the logger functionality was changed. Probably, it’ll make logging process more efficient.
If you managed to build and run Plutohome 2.0.0.45 you can download the latest Orbiter (currently for os2006 only and as TAR file), test it and send bug-report. Good luck!
According to LinuxDevices.com at least two large online retailers are selling Nokia’s 770 Internet Tablet for $140 (originally it was priced at $400!). It’s really amazing price because some universal remote such Philips Pronto or Nevo are much expensive (as you may know Nokia770 can be used as control panel for home automation system Plutohome and for music streamer SlimServer).
That news is good for all folks who decided to use Nokia770 to control their homes using Plutohome. Together with Plutohome developer Christian Miron we modified SDL Orbiter to have possibility run it on Nokia770. Also, I created a simple Maemo application to handle the Orbiter easier from Nokia770 UI.
The latest (and mostly stable) version of Plutohome Orbiter for Nokia770 can be found here (os2006 and os2007 Hacker Edition). Also, you may try the Orbiter on your N800 as well.
Yesterday I created a ARMEL package to make Orbiter installation on Nokia770 easier. It’s just a draft version. So, don’t hesitate to send me bug report by email or submit it to the Maemo Traker. Orbiter works also on N800. So, you have a choice between 770 or N800.
The Obiter package can be downloaded here: os2006, os2007. To start use Nokia770/N800 as Plutohome Orbiter, please, read this brief howto.