Android Remote

HouseBot now has an Android Software Remote!

An Android Software Remote allows real-time monitoring and control of your HouseBot system from Android devices. The Android app is constructed dynamically from the Theme Designer in the HouseBot server. Themes allow the user to use predefined user interface widgets, or users can use their own graphics to create very customized interfaces.

The minimum Android version supported by the app is 3.0.

Setup

After installing the app from the Google Play Store, the first time the app is started it will display a prompt for the necessary connection information.

  • Software Remote Name - This name must match one of the Software Remote names that are setup on the HouseBot Server.
  • Server Address - This is the IP address or DNS name of the HouseBot server that the Software Remote will connect to.

Other Settings

There are more settings that can be used to customize the behavior of the Software Remote. These settings can be changed at any time by Swiping RIGHT from the left edge of the screen. Then select the 'Settings' button. Some of the following settings will require the app to be restarted.

  • Software Remote Name - This name must match one of the Software Remote names that are setup on the HouseBot Server. (same setting from initial setup)
  • Host (HouseBot Server) - This is the IP address or DNS name of the HouseBot server that the Software Remote will connect to. (same setting from initial setup) If the HouseBot server Software Remote port was changed at the server, append the IP address with :[port number].
  • Screen Rotation Lock - Options to start the app and lock it into a particular layout.
  • Scaling - Options to specify how all panels are scaled.
  • Popup Scaling - Option to scale all popups to the same scale as the primary panel.
  • Movement - To change the location of the main Panel, unlock the position and move the Panel by dragging it to a new location.
  • Prompt for Password - If the Software Remote is configured with a password on the HouseBot Server, select this option for the password prompt.
  • Hide Status Bar - If selected, the top Android status bar will not be displayed.
  • Defer Image Loading - If selected, the remote will only load images (backgrounds, buttons, images, etc.) when they are needed. When they are no longer needed, their memory will be released. In low memory conditions, this can help when loading large Themes. However, it may cause a lag when a new Panel is opened.

Multiple Profiles

By default, the Android remote has one connection profile that is setup when the app is first started. To connect to multiple servers, or the same server with a different Remote name, multiple profiles can be created. There are two ways to create multiple profiles.

  • Shortcut (Widget) - Select the HouseBot Remote widget and drag it to the desktop. You will be prompted to enter the setup information for this shortcut.
  • Runtime Selection - To be prompted for the profile when the app is started, clear the Software Remote Name from the settings. When the app is started, it will prompt for the Software Remote Name. It will remember previous names and add them to a list for future selection.

Wi-Fi Setup

Some Android devices may drop their Wi-Fi connection when the device sleeps. While this option may improve battery life, it will cause the Software Remote to reestablish it's connection to the HouseBot server every time the device is taken out of sleep mode. This will delay any possible interactions with the Software Remote for a few seconds while it reconnects.

To avoid having to wait for the reconnection, many Android devices have a setting that will allow the Wi-Fi connection to remain active while the device is sleeping. This option is usually found in the Wi-Fi settings. There may be a menu within the main Wi-Fi settings with an 'Advanced' option that will allow the 'Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep' to be set to 'Always'.

Feature Differences

The Android Software Remote app is about 98% feature compatible with the Windows/Windows CE Software Remotes. However, there are a few features that are more Windows specific that have not been carried over to the Android Remote.

  • Fonts
    • It is strongly recommended that Android Software Remotes connect to HouseBot version 3.30.03 or higher. This version supports font downloading from the server to the remote.
    • Due to slight differences in fonts between Windows and Android, at times the fonts will not display exactly as they do in the Theme Editor and on Windows remotes.
    • Some Windows fonts are strictly not supported in android.
  • List Double-clicking - Instead of double-clicking on a list to perform the double-click action, long press on the list item.

Widgets

Widget support is limited due to they dynamic nature of the remote user interface and Android widget limitations.

  • Read-Only: All widgets are read-only.
    • Buttons, sliders, and edit controls are not functional. Some controls are not shown, since they would be inoperable in a Widget.
    • Since a Change Panel button would not work, Widgets are limited to one Panel.
  • Multiple widgets must use unique Software Remote names/configurations.
  • Touching a widget can launch the full Software Remote app.
  • Widgets can be killed by the Android system if needed. If this happens, they will try and restart every 30 minutes on their own. Touching a killed widget will also restart it.
  • To update a Widget Theme, restart the device or re-create the Widget.
  • The Widget can be resized to any size needed. The Panel will be scaled to fit the Widget dimensions.
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