Thoughts from a new user.

[scyto]

Hi, just bought a DSC kit and EVL-3.

Overall setup was simple and easy of the EVL-3 (especially compared to doing the alarm for the first time).

The registration process for the EVL-3 worked nicely. I may buy the monitoring service - seems competitively priced except for the setup fee. I don't think I would pay $60 for the envisalerts+ service; the price doesn't seem to justify the features.

Now I would pay 4 or 5 bucks for a decent iPad, iPhone, Windows Phone 8 app that allowed me to *simply* arm, disarm, see status of zones, partitions etc.

OR I would love to see better integration from other home automation systems (ISY994i or Revolv) especially as they seem to have better camera support.

I am beginning to wonder if I should have bought an ELK and spent the extra money... it would be nice if you could talk about your future plans, if any, or if this product is on the back burner let us know.

[GrandWizard]

Did you read the Envisalink primer? It is on the support tools page and explains how to install the Eyezon Mobile Portal web-app on your phone. It works well.

The Envisalink is supported on a few home automation systems that I know of including the ISY994i. Integration is done by the HA vendors using the Envisalink open API (TPI). This includes the third-party mobile apps that are available.

The Envisalink is hardly on the back-burner, there are firmware updates regularly. The WiFi thermostat integration, for example, is in the next release of firmware that is currently in testing.

[scyto]

Cool, glad to hear it isn't on the back burner! I wasn't sure as there didn't seem to be as many updates as say 6months ago - but I guess that's because that was when it was a new product.

Yes I have tried the web page, while it is functional it is hardly 'Wife Friendly', it is to be frank, ugly, poorly formatted and doesn't surface the right info easily. The icons are pretty For example it doesn't use red / green coloring to show me zone status. The zone name list is a horrible scrolling thing. Arming / Disarming / Geofencing etc are all unavailable hard to access in simple and easy way - one button push; the camera support is non-existent. Integration with other systems like ISY994i / Micasa Verde / Revolv is poor to non-existent.

Don't get me wrong I like what you are doing, but as a product manager myself I can't help but see the potential of the product and future revenue streams for you. I assumed by now (I have been tracking your site for over 6mo) someone would have written decent iPhone / Android / WP8 app - they haven't so I think it is a definite opportunity for you! Heck why not write the ISY integration module for them and then do revenue sharing....

In the example of the ISY - no it isn't the vendor doing the integration it is 'just some guy' who made a .net app that runs on a PC that arbitrates the ISY and EVL - it is clunky at best and at worst incomprehensible to an average joe DIYer.

I can't wait to see what comes next - especially any 3rd party expansion modules. I love what you are doing, consider me a supporter - I only take the time to criticize when I care

PS do you have a complete list of the 3rd party apps - I am struggling to find good ones... the ones I paid for so far are bare bones and still are not wife acceptance level!

[mikep]

At the risk of being told they're too bare bones... here's my 3rd party android apps:
http://play.google.com/store/apps/detai ... pp.android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... oid.server
I'm definitely interested in suggestions to put flesh on the DscServer bones. The DscKeypad I already consider worth every penny .

[scyto]

Looks cool! Have you thought about porting to windows phone 8? (No android in my house)

[mikep]

I've thought about it, but that's about as far as I've gotten with it so far . It's not out of the question, I have used their development environment.

Mike

[scyto]

Can I run you android app on something like blue-stacks?

I really love the look of what you have done from looking in the google play store. Please consider not just a Windows Phone Version but iPad and Win8 Metro Version too

[mikep]

Whew, that's a lot of versions .

The app will run on the android version for x86 pretty reliably (that's the one you run on a netbook instead of using windows). It runs on genymotion (much like bluestacks) but that environment is slow and tends to freeze. Though for $50 an unlocked low end ebay android phone is a pretty good choice when combined with envisalink and a cheap pay-as-you go SIM card - you get SMS based self monitoring for next to nothing.

Mike

[scyto]

Do you have a good suggestion for a PAYG SIM in the US?

[mikep]

I use T-Mobile PAYG from the US. $10 for 3 months and I can pay online (when I remember to do it!). Even though I send long distance SMSs to my Canadian number it's still the best deal and I've yet to use up the entire $10 even when testing.