mobile App

[EdddieN]

Starting to collect ideas for the mobile app.

Have any of you used PhoneGap before? I think it should be possible to code the app with web technology. I'm looking into how to communicate with Domoticz via App being outside of the user's LAN.

So far it looks like I'll have to setup a MQTT server online - early days...

Any feedback, ideas, please add them up here!

[EdddieN]

@DewGew @landaisbenj

[landaisbenj]

I don't know mqtt but maybe I can learn. For beginning we can test just with refresh timer and json parser...

[EdddieN]

don't worry about MQTT, I can take care of that part. It is more about being able to code native app. The main difference is that on the theme we talk directly to Domoticz via API, but if we want a native app that talks externally without opening firewall... then we need something like MQTT.

The thing is that the API may be a bit too heavy for MQTT, anyway I'm investigating how to efficiently do this. When I know I'll share it, in the meantime, do you know about any tools to code native (Android and iOS) Apps using the same technology you are using now? JS, HTML, etc...

[DewGew]

There is several dashboard that uses only api calls with javascript, php, html external like dashticz_V2. I have contributed some to dashticz_V2. For domoticz standard app, I still have to open ports for the app on my firewall.

[EdddieN]

I'm working on a reverse proxy, a bit like my.domoticz which would enable API access remotely without the need to open firewall. At the moment there're lots of scripts to install manually so needs to be cleaned a bit. I will share as soon as I can. The key thing is if you see possible to almost convert the theme into an App using PhoneGap or something similar that makes API calls via a reverse proxy to a central server with authentiphication.

[DewGew]

Sound like a great Idea.

[remb0]

why an app? there are already some dashboard third-party programs. and with android programs like fully kiosk browser (or something like that) you can view the site as an app. but the normal ios and android apps are nice to carry around and for a tablet at home the normal website with machinon theme is very good. or do I miss something?

[EdddieN]

Not everyone knows how to find an IP address on a phone (family), an App makes easier this, a bit more logic can be built into it to resolve the LAN IP without known it, also you have more control over the browser, a lot of the issues (support) queries are due to different browsers, cache, etc...

Mostly thinking about mobile app to be honest than tablets. My main worry is remote access and notifications. Right now I have to use Pushover or Telegram (iOS) to get notifications, I would prefer to have it all in one, via an App you can tie easier into Firebase.

Remote connection, I have been working on a reverse proxy, this requires going through a web login, it would be nicer to just open the App and let the app do all the auth.

Then there's the area of customisation (drag and drop, or tick box). My screen at home on a tablet is very different from what the one I use on a mobile phone (less info). I really like what ImperiHome has done in terms of screen customisation. A hybrid between ImperiHome and HomeKit would be really nice, which means the screens for web and app are very very different.

There're lots of tools around to achieve the solution, but that is my opinion the challenge. Too many loose ends that from time to time with updates they break. The more self contained it is within Domoticz, the more stable.

For now is a vision....

[EdddieN]

WoW! @davidlb @landaisbenj @DewGew @gitter-badger @remb0 you guys are moving very fast with the theme! Great job! I guess I better un-dust the pencil and paper 😆

Design (visuals) is there anything you would like to see?

I put the comment here because I did not know where else to put it

[davidlb]

Hi, we're missing icon for Custom sensor (name is Custom48_On.png)

[DewGew]

I have icon for custom sensor, just have to upload it. Soon I hope..

[davidlb]

Great! And I just noticed by chance that WindNW.png is missing.

[EdddieN]

Have you looked here: https://github.com/EdddieN/machinon-domoticz_theme/tree/master/images/unorganised

[EdddieN]

Hello all, I have been talking with the creator of Pilot App @patrickferreira so sharing here some remote code that can be used with Domoticz (or any other to be honest) for remote access without having to open a firewall.

This is the code for server: https://github.com/EdddieN/remachinon

This runs on the PI checking for MQTT connection request: https://github.com/EdddieN/agent_machinon

and https://github.com/EdddieN/machinon_client

This still very raw and is not even an alpha. It does work, though but still needs lots of work. The server re.machinon.com is active if someone wants to try to connect. I can also give access to developers if they want to tinker too.

Just please, don't install this on your running home automation system. Best to test on a spare PI or so.

As usual, I'm not a developer myself, I was just the product designer of this application which never reached the market so making it public here. Hopefully is useful...

[patrickferreira]

Thanks for the invite, happy to talk with you guys! I'd be glad to give the remote thingy a try, I have lots of test servers I could put it on. What do I have to do to test it?

[EdddieN]

Great! A brief explanation about re.machinon

• I think it is too complex and unnecessary to have a r-ssh with a r-proxy for the average user.

If we could pack a small MQTT daemon in the theme settings where we select the devices (metrics) we wish to push remotely plus a user token key, it would simplify things a fair bit. Then we just need the user management on the server for redirect the MQTT messages.

I think my.domotiz has somethign like that but is way over my head 😆 , also I do not see the need to have the full +400 devices being published to a remote server x many users.

Any good PHP, Laravel, nginx coders? @landaisbenj @DewGew @davidlb @remb0 @patrickferreira @gitter-badger @paulloft @

[EdddieN]

Hello,

Can I encourage everyone to continue the conversation in the domoticz repository: https://github.com/domoticz/Machinon