Featured application:
X10 Home Control
Note: January 8, 2010 - PixieLinc hits the App Store. After trying a bunch of DIY approaches, I think the SmartLinc by Smarthome is the most cost effective option for a network interface to your X10 fleet. PixieLinc does what this app does only better by working with the SmartLinc controller. But for those of you that still want to roll their own web server using a spare PC, or who just HAVE to use that old CM11 or CM17 Firecracker, read on...
The X10 Home Control application is designed to be a "front end" to the popular "heyu" Linux home control program. (see note: next page) Unlike PixieLinc, this is a WEB APP that is accessed using Safari on your iPhone/iPod Touch.
I was sitting in my Lazy Boy one evening surfing the TV guide on my iPhone to see what was on the tube and I wanted to turn down the room lights. I have a number of lighting systems and appliances plugged into the popular X10 home control modules but alas, my remote was upstairs. Then it dawned on me, "Wouldn't it be nice to be able to control all my X10 stuff right from my iPhone (which is never far from me.) So that's what I did.
This package will work with the X10 CM-11A controller as well as the popular CM-17 "firecracker" controller.
About now you are wondering "How does the iPhone talk to the controller?" It uses the built in wireless network connectivity in the iPhone to "talk" to a local web server appliance that is attached via a common serial port to the controller. The web page sends the various on, off, dim, brighten, etc. commands when you touch the corresponding "hot spots" on the touch screen of the iPhone.
What I've done is take the "hassle" out of creating such a web server appliance using your own home network and possibly an old obsolete PC that you can dedicate to the task. Or, if you don't have such, I'll tell you how you can buy what you need very inexpensively.
The details of the package are on the next page. Trust me, for ten bucks it's worth it just to have all the software pieces integrated for you into a self installling bootable CD.
Watch a movie (QT or You Tube) of mine in action....
If you have any questions about this product, send me a note:
d o n [at] b a b c o c k . o r g and I'll be glad to correspond.
Note: Be sure and click the "return to Don Babcock" button on the payment confirmation page or Paypal won't automatically send you to the download page. If you don't get there for some reason, email me and I'll send you the link.