Envisalink 2DS and Android Phone App?

[sparky2708]

(1) Is there an Android Phone App for connecting to my Envisalink 2DS device because I couldn't find one in the Google Play Store? or is it only web-based for now?

(2) Are you working on an Android native app?

[mikep]

AFAIK they only have the webapp, and it does work fine for me.

I've written a native android app that I use to manage my 2DS when I'm at home - it connects directly to the IP port on the card. I'm a day or two away from publishing it as a free app on google market if you're interested, I'll post the link here if the GrandWizard is ok with that.

Mike

p.s. If the local app is of interest to you and there's any particular feature you're looking for, let me know - I'll try to confirm, deny, or add it before you waste any time.

[sparky2708]

Definitely interested. If you don't mind, I'd love to see the source code for this thing. Maybe I can help you enhance it...

[mikep]

I've tried to follow the android conventions (as best I could from the docs!), so between intents and the TCP interface it should be pretty easy to extend without needing the source just yet.

Barring any unforeseen bugs I plan to put it on google marketplace over the weekend, maybe you could give it a try and we could talk about things from there.

Mike

[GrandWizard]

Go ahead Mike! As an Android user I'd love to try out your work.

The whole point of the TPI was to encourage this type of collaboration. Even though the Envisalink is the best IP security product already , as a community of users we can always make it better.

[sparky2708]

Just figured how the TPI interface works. Will also put a small app on Android store soon. Be glad to see yours. Figured this would be a good way to learn about Android and Envisalink.

[mikep]

Cool Sparky, I'm looking forward to seeing yours!

Thank you GrandWizard, here's the link to my app in GooglePlay:
http://play.google.com/store/apps/detai ... pp.android

It is intended to be a companion to the EYEZ-ON service. I use the 2DS IP port to allow the phone to act as a DSC keypad emulator. Handy if you keep your android phone on your nightstand at night - I have a desktop charging dock on mine which converts the phone into an alarm clock. Or if you have an spare android phone or tablet around the house you can keep it near a door that doesn't have a dedicated DSC keypad - say to your deck/balcony/patio.

If you also use the EYEZ-ON service to monitor your system you'll see whenever the kepad attaches or loses the connection. The Envisalink only allows one connection at a time to the card, so my app has the same restriction.

Mike

[sparky2708]

I so far created a nice library for TPI communication. I like your app! Similar to what I was thinking... I really like your widget! That's a really cool idea!

[mikep]

Thanks - the widget has been pretty handy when I leave the garage door open - I can see at a glance .

Writing the library is the fun part . I had a head start since I'd already written a java based web app for my IT-100 and it was an easy move to android. I find the android stuff a bit fussy to learn, but at least it seems to work.

Since the envisalink only allows one IP connection the widget is used to keep a permanent connection (like on a dedicated tablet replacing a keypad). If there's an entry delay it pops up the keypad automatically to let you disarm. A periodic connection works too, but it's a bit chatty and not as responsive. If the widget is not used a connection is established when you start the kepad app and closed when you dismiss the app (and I close it automatically after 5 minutes) to free the port.

BTW, there's another app on android market that supports the Envisalink card. Anyone using it should be extremely careful about exposing the Envisalink port outside the firewall. If it works the way I expect it does, the envisalink password, and worse, your security alarm keycode, would be transmitted in the clear over the net! And it would expose your system to a brute force attack. It's better to use the EYEZ-ON service for remote access.

Mike

[GrandWizard]

That's awesome! Great work Mike.

I know what you're saying about security, but I was wondering if you could use the Eyezon webservices to automatically find the IP address of your house? Then you could use this anywhere.

Love the widget.