Smart Home Blog

iRidium Mobile development team recently released a new version of iRidium 1.4 for AMX. It’s supported by Windows XP/7/Mobile and available for downloading on the iRidum Mobile web site. The version for iPhone/iPad will be updated on AppStore till the end of next week.

New in the version 1.4:

• added commands @PPX, @PPG, @PPK, PPON, PPOF, ^BAT, ^BAU, ^SHO, ^BCB, ^BCT, ^BCF, ^BOP, ^ENA;
• added Chameleon Image option;
• borders functionality is revised;
• extended font support;
• added sound;
• added a queue of display support – Free Show sequence (in older version only one sequence – FILL, Image, Icon, Text);
• added a full-screen mode for desktop;
• improved performance of the Windows mobile version.

The team is continuing work with the next 1.5 release where you’ll find new features. Also they’d like to remind you that you can still get a free version of iRidium here.

Iridium mobile team is proud to introduce you a new version of iRidium program for AMX and iPad / iPhone / iPod. The new version is available on AppStore! Remind you that iRidium transforms iPad / iPhone / iPod into the “native” AMX system control panel. iRidium allows you to operate such subsystems as: lighting, heating, climate control, video-surveillance, security, audio-video, multimedia-server.

Also iRidium allows you to use an existing design created for AMX panels. This design will be loaded on iPad / iPhone / iPod and you can immediately operate your home automation system after that.
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Axis Control demonstrated on the CEDIA 2009 its new software Emulinx for Pronto which can turn Philips Pronto into an AMX touchscreen. Its implementation is done using ProntoScript – Pronto JavaScript programming environment. The Pronto with Emulinx offers the same functionality as native AMX touchscreen panel for less money. Actually you can save $1000 and more depending on Pronto’s screen size.

It seems that Pronto TSU controllers became universal solution for the smarthome systems. Currently they support AMX, Lutron RadioRa, Escient Firebal, HAI and about 140 other products including multiroom audio, security and surveillance.

I’d like to remind you about Russian software Iridium which allows to use iPhone, iPod Touch, Win Mobile smartphone or WinXP/Vista UMPC, netbook or PC as AMX control panel. It’d be nice to compare Iridium with Emulinx. At the first glass the Iridium offers cheaper way to have full-function AMX control panel then Emulinx. Also the range of devices which can be used with Iridium is much bigger.

Russian company Iridium Mobile offers a way to use iPhone or iPod Touch as AMX control panel. The controller recognizes iPhone with Iridium client as normal AMX control panel offering all its functions. As result the consumer can get information and manage all devices in the system from any place in the world where exists one of the following communication services – EDGE, GPRS, 3G or WiFi.

Design of GUI for AMX iPhone client is done in the TP Designer. And them it’s just converted into iPhone code. So, the engineers shouldn’t study iPhone API to modify or create a new GUI skin. Except AMX iPhone client the company is going add integration with Beckhoff, EIB, CBus and Legos controllers. Moreover, theoretically Iridium supports any TCP/UDP based controller. Additionally, Iridium Mobile offers AMX client for Windows Mobile smartphones and for PC/UMPC/netbook/notebook run Windows XP.

The recommended prices for Iridium AMX client are following: €1000 for iPhone, €800 for Windows Mobile and €500 for WinXP.

Open source technologies are good and success. As example I can give you following. Today AMX decided to use LinuxMCE 0710 as a software for the next generation of its home controllers. That decision is result of extremely fast growing open source system for home automation and wide range of supporting hardware and protocols. The price and availability of AMX controllers with LinuxMCE are not known yet.

Next well-known player in the smarthome area Crestron lost its chance to get LinuxMCE. So, maybe Crestron will try to reanimate Pluthome.