By While much of Google’s I/O keynote presentation focused on the here and now of Android with news on Ice Cream Sandwich, an update to Honeycomb, and the unveiling of Google Music and Movies, a portion of the presentation was dedicated to more forward-looking projects the Android Team is working on. One such initiative is Android@Home, which seeks to give you total control over your home using Android as the control hub.
Functions could be as simple as turning lights on and off from your smartphone or tablet, but could extend to everything from controlling heating and cooling to setting a security system. The possibilities seem endless, and Google likes it that way.
One function demonstrated was audio streaming via a central “alien” looking hub to a set of speakers. This is by no means a new technology, but demonstrates how functions like this can be built on and into the Android OS.
Android@Home is still a pretty forward looking initiative, though partnerships with companies such as LightingScience will see some consumer products such as lighting with Android support released near the end of the year. Google is inviting developers to have a go at the new framework in hopes of eventually turning the home into one giant Android device.
pure awesome
This will be really handy when it comes to the zombie apocalypse. Talk about early warning of some freaking Z stealing yogurt from my fridge.
This has been attempted before but you will most likely hear very little going ahead since the idea of upgrading ever single device to work with your controlling software is a huge wall to the whole idea.
It can be as simple as selling little plug sockets with wifi receivers to start with.. toggling the power via our phones. And then just extend out from their.. no one said were gonna start out rewiring our existing homes completely so that Android put our coffee on and turns the weather channel on in the morning for us..
We’re already doing this with Z-wave at Vivint.
Thank god they announced this….I have been waiting for a fully integrated home since like forever…now granted that it wont be available here in the Netherlands for a few years….I am perfectly fine with that…since I prolly won’t be moving in a couple of years (moving for me comes with new appliances, which will now be android-run)
So great timing…by the time I get new stuff it will be there :D
Forgot to say….hope they integrate that low-powered non-wifi connection to watches too…would love to see notifications and my music playlist on my watch rather then pulling out my phone everytime.
IT ALSO WIPES ASSES AND WALKS DOGS!!!!
Very cool. I looked into X10, but it never had a large enough community for me to bother with (and I heard some of the hardware was shaky).
Android is absolutely perfect for this type of thing — sign me up TODAY.
i use X10. they have a HUGE community. been using it since like 2005. granted their equipment is “shaky” , configure right it works good. like i can do home automation now with my x10 stuff and phonemypc app :) even watch my house in realtime.
Meh – I already do most of that with X10 and an Android app. Lights, garage door, entertainment system, web cam, etc…
”
One function demonstrated was audio streaming via a central “alien” looking hub to a set of speakers. This is by no means a new technology, but demonstrates how functions like this can be built on and into the Android OS”
Android can’t even play wireless music clearly over bluetooth thanks to the lousy bitpool. Maybe walk, before you can run, eh Google?
….and give google control of my house?
Sure, that will work…….
Very interesting…. Ain’t technology grand