Looking to buy a cheap Android tablet and install an app for controlling VeraLite. Would probably wall mount this tablet in the kitchen so don’t want to spend allot of money on one.
Can anyone recommend a suitable tablet for the job and a suitable app ?
Problem looking on eBay for Android tablets is there is just too many to choose from and I don’t know which I should go for. Would like to get one for under 100 GBP cheaper the better.
Two good free apps for Android are Authomation and Homebuddy. I would suggest installing them both and pick teh one you like best.
As for Android device, I use an HP Touchpad with Cyanogenmod ICS installed as my major touchscreen controller. Basically since it was cheap last year at the fire sale ($150), has a nice 10" capacitive screen, dual core CPU and has an inductive charger.
I don’t think you can get these anymore unless used on Ebay.
As BOFH mentioned the two big contenders for apps on the android platform is HomeBuddy and AutHomation. I am the developer of AutHomation. Both are great apps and Rakstar (HomeBuddy Developer) and myself are very supportive and active on the forum. Give them both a try and see which one you like the best. You also have ZHouse which cost some money and I believe VeraMobile as well.
Android IceCreamSandwich, also known as ICS is the 2nd to last Android release. The most current one is called JellyBean and just came out.
The things to look for in a tablet.
CPU and speed of same. Recent dual or quad core preferred
Screen - Most preferable is a capacitive screen capable of multitouch. Least preferable is resistive without multitouch.
Expandability. Does it take SD cards to expand memory? USB port? HDMI port for connection to TV/monitor?
Manufacturer. Most unknown chipads (Chinese no name tablets) won’t release kernel source so you are very dependent on them for upgrades to newer Android versions. Which most of the time never surface. Well known brands with a large user base are more popular for groups like CyanogenMod (http://rootzwiki.com/index) to port their latest and greatest android builds. Which is why my original WebOS HP Touchpad can run Android IceCreamSandwich and work is on the way for a JellyBean release,
A cheaper Android tablet with eg authomationHD or Homebuddy is a very good alternative to a dedicated zwave compatible table top or wall controller. And has the advantage of being to surf the web, check email and the likes on it as well.
[quote=“Piwtorak, post:4, topic:172478”]folks !
let me know if one like that solve the problem…I never hear speak about this version of android…icecream sandwich ???
Thanks for the replies please keep the tablet recommendations coming!
The boss aka my wife says we can buy two tablets. One 10" for general family usage budget 200 GBP and another budget 7" tablet dedicated for Vera control only, I will probably wall mount this one in the kitchen, budget? Maybe 50-80 GBP.
Seems there are several of this brand, this is where it gets confusing, think I found one and then realize there is more to choose from by the same manufacturer.
Standard ChiPad. if you order a big enough batch you can have them labeled cw-kidpad if so desired. It’ll work fine, but doubtfull you’ll get very far with upgrades to newer Android versions.
As Garrett so eloquently put it ‘You get what you pay for’. I would suggest to stick with well known brands and models that have a large user base.
[quote=“cw-kid, post:19, topic:172478”]The specs on this one look ok for the money ? Is it unbranded ? Who makes it?
It’ll work fine, but doubtfull you’ll get very far with upgrades to newer Android versions.