The Dockstar is a type of PogoPlug. Now here's the rub (isn't there always something) both devices
unnecessarily need the PogoPlug servers to work unless hacked. That sort of garbage always burns me up under the collar. I'm sure it was part of the business model to get investors on board as a profit model. Isn't holding back on the source code a violation of the GPL ? Linksys was forced to release the code with their routers after protests by the Linux crowd.
Anyway, for the sake of clarity I'm going to call the hardware I/O extender a HA4RP/E (Home Automation for Real People / Extender) or HARP/E for short. I'm open to suggestions for the name of course but I've got to name it something for now.
So...
Here's a brief overall plan and hardware involved.
HARP/E (embedded Ethernet / Serial / ZigBee with RTCC, I/O, IR & Relays and a level of autonomy but limited front end and may or may not be Linux but will be open source)
This is a complete device by itself, it can be both a controller and a slave (Multi-Master)
Low cost, low power, low part count embedded microcontroller (PIC18F87J60 or PIC32MX695)
It's schematic and source code will be open to the public I
MHO this is the key to it's success.
It can have multiple personalities via firmware
It's modular, need more I/O just add another HARP/E it's price point should be between $200 & $300
Although it's limited in computing power it's really a smart peripheral with the focus on connectivity to the physical world
web interface with AJAX for basic HA / HVAC or a HARP/C (see below) for more complex and or fancy setups (of course iOS or Android apps)
Software emulation of various popular HA / HVAC devices is possible (of course) ie: Ocelot, ELK, HAI, Stargate, RCS-TR16...
Two to four IR outputs will have hardware modulation to cover virtually any frequency up to 400kHz
1wire supported
Three to four relays with snubbers (and either four or six GPIOs with transorbs)
built in temperature sensor (not intended for thermostat use but instead as freeze sensor for HVAC use)
It is not intended as an Audio / Video matrix (seriously Sonos, Apple, Squeezebox have some really excellent affordable multi-room playback gear)
It is not intended for IR learning except for 38kHz (really, is this needed anymore? Popular IR protocols are well known and B&O are not known for their Real People hardware)
HARP/C (A LAMP NAS such as a GuruPlug, PogoPlug, Synology, QNAP, Netgear etc..)
This is the outside world WAN bridge. Although it's not an must have part it would have the horsepower & storage to control large numbers of HARP/E devices as multi-master or slave devices
Open source preferred or at the least an open API so extensions can be written.
Has MySQL, Perl, PHP etc...
Expandable storage either USB & SATA (If you've never used a NAS you really ought to look into what they can do try www.smallnetbuilders.com for reviews and benchmarks.
No monthly fees
*Not dependant on an outside server (the PogoPlug does
the Synology, Netgear & QNAP do not
)
Edit: yes the beagleboard or pandaboard could work, but they're already more expensive $149 than the PogoPlug $99 and that gets worse once you add a power supply and case... Of course since it's Linux there's no reason any open source software couldn't be ported to it.
Interface (a web browser for use, custom software for initial setup & programming)
* The PogoPlug is interesting because it's cheap $99 and available at many retailers but seems to be tethered to Pogos severs unless hacked, also only external USB storage. The more expensive Synology 110j $180 has both internal SATA HDD storage (I've got a 2TB in mine) and does not rely on external servers.