HouseMate Home Control 4+
Brian Dillon
Designed for iPad
-
- Free
Screenshots
Description
Imagine being able to control everything from one device: Turn on your room lights and close the curtains. Change channels on your TV and turn up the heating. Answer a phone call and send some texts. Browse the Internet, play some music or watch YouTube. HouseMate hardware in combination with an iOS device enables you to do this and much more.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
HouseMate is a combined hardware/app solution that enables a switch user to fully control their iOS device and use it to operate other equipment in their home or work environment using a combination of InfraRed, HomeKit, IFTTT and other technologies.
TELL ME ABOUT
THE HARDWARE
The hardware is controlled using the built-in switch or by connecting an external switch or joystick. It can also be interfaced to R-Net and DX wheelchair control systems.
It is powered by a rechargeable Li-Ion battery and contains a powerful omni- directional InfraRed transmitter and a Bluetooth radio module.
The hardware communicates the switch presses to the iOS device. With Switch Control enabled the user can use scanning to control their device. If the user launches the HouseMate App a grid of environmental control options is presented. If the user chooses an option then the HouseMate App will either run a HomeKit scene, control a HomeKit accessory or instruct the HouseMate hardware to transmit a pre-recorded InfraRed signal.
HouseMate can be fitted with a radio frequency Nurse call pager. This alarm can be activated at anytime by pressing the switch for a defined period of time. Importantly this feature is independent of the iOS device and Bluetooth connection.
A further possibility is the control of EasyWave or Z-wave devices. On request HouseMate can be fitted with an internal EasyWave or Z-wave transmitter.
TELL ME ABOUT THE APP
The HouseMate app that has been specially designed for switch access and can be downloaded free from iTunes. It will run on any iOS device running 8.4 or higher.
The app presents a grid of environmental control functions using icons and text. When the user chooses an icon the app either executes a HomeKit function or instructs the hardware to transmit a signal. The HouseMate app communicates with the HouseMate hardware using Bluetooth Smart.
Rather than having to switch between different apps the HouseMate app enables you to have all your environmental control functions in one easy-to-use, graphically based interface.
WHAT ARE THE
KEY FEATURES?
Hardware features:
-Control of any device that can be operated by InfraRed signals including light switches, power sockets, bed controls and door openers.
-Powerful InfraRed learn/transmit hardware. Single codes, toggle codes, macros and safety codes can be recorded.
-Pre-recorded database of common InfraRed signals including GEWA, Possum, Siemens KNX, FellerBeamIt, UPC and SKY.
-Control of EasyWave devices with optional built-in EasyWave transmitter.
-Control of Z-wave devices with optional built-in Z-wave transmitter.
-Single switch, two switch and joystick inputs.
Interface cables for R-Net and DX wheelchair control systems.
-Long-life rechargeable Li-Ion battery with mini USB charger.
-Audible low battery warning, Bluetooth connection, InfraRed transmit and charging status LEDs.
Software features:
-Comprehensive, graphic based, environmental control.
-Large database of icons as well as the ability to choose images from the camera roll.
-Designed to be used in conjunction with the scanning features of iOS Switch Control.
-Can be used to run HomeKit scenes and control HomeKit accessories.
-Control over third party apps using iOS Switch Control.
-Can be used in conjunction with IFTTT based services.
-HouseMate can be downloaded free from iTunes with automatic updating as new versions become available.
-Can be installed on iPads or iPhones running iOS 8.4 or higher.
What’s New
Version 4.7
Issue with backups failing resolved
Ratings and Reviews
Very useful & promising but lacking important elements
I’m disabled & use this app to run my assistive technology daily. It’s pretty versatile, & relatively easy to use! With regards to feedback, I have a few suggestions for requests & improvements…
1. Please make it so we can make custom “Hey Siri!” commands (e.g. “Hey Siri, door open” or “Hey Siri, TV on”) — with most apps that allow this, like Govee (which controls lighting using this feature very well), it essentially exports shortcuts to the Apple “Shortcuts” app. You have no idea how helpful this would be! It’d be much more efficient than using the “voice control” function, which can be kinda long-winded. Plus, with voice control, you have to be able to see your device to use it; with “hey siri” you don’t, you only need to know the commands & have your phone within hearing range (which could be helpful to blind users).
2. The switch device automatically goes to sleep after inactivity — the ability to turn this function off via the app would be VERY useful. Turning the device on is the only thing that I must rely on someone else to do for me, which kinda defeats the purpose of it giving independence when you think about it. I know it risks the device’s battery, but that’s why I suggest making it optional — for people like myself, who leave it connected to a usb port on my wheelchair, the battery life of small devices is a non-issue.
3. Every now and again, after using the app, my keyboard stops working & an odd dark dot appears on the screen, usually the lower half (looks like a damaged pixel, but I know it’s not because I can actually screenshot it). Restarting the device doesn’t fix this. So far, the only fixes I have found are —
• Open the app, tap the keyboard button (bottom), & then tap “toggle”, when the keyboard pops up, close the app.
• Disconnect bluetooth or turn the main switch device off.
4. In the app, when you have to type in a textbox (e.g. to label a button), the iphone keyboard overlaps the textbox & prevents certain buttons being pressed; the box should move up a little when the keyboard opens, to ensure it’s always viewable in its entirety. So far, the only fix I have found for this is to minimise the app & reopen it whilst the textbox is open.
5. With regards to the switch device itself, a splash proof cover would be really useful! I cannot take off or put on the assistive device without help; even if I could, I need it for unlocking & opening my front door. Where I live, it rains a lot! The device usually has to be out in the open for IR to work properly, which means I can’t mount it in a sheltered part of the wheelchair, & it’s at high risk of weather damage. I have already needed one replacement after being caught in heavy rain. Perhaps consider a weather seal for future devices? (Like they do to SLR cameras).
6. With regards to the switch device, some form of optional flip cover over the button could also be useful. You have no idea how much the general public are attracted to big buttons! Especially if I’m out somewhere like a pub — people just feel the need to press it & do not wait for consent! It’s very frustrating. I think part of the issue is that I can only mount it behind me (my wheelchair has limited options).
App Privacy
The developer, Brian Dillon, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More
Information
- Provider
- Brian Dillon
- Size
- 38.4 MB
- Category
- Lifestyle
- Compatibility
-
- iPhone
- Requires iOS 9.0 or later.
- iPad
- Requires iPadOS 9.0 or later.
- iPod touch
- Requires iOS 9.0 or later.
- Mac
- Requires macOS 11.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
- Apple Vision
- Requires visionOS 1.0 or later.
- Languages
-
English, German, Swedish
- Age Rating
- 4+
- Copyright
- © 2015 Unique Perspectives Limited
- Price
- Free