The PiPo* devices look interesting... I shy away from Windows and would be more interested in running android/linux/etc on it.
Here's more of my thoughts/comments/questions/etc: (sorry for the flow-of-consciousness format).
I'm not especially looking for a wall-mount devices, but rather a table/desk-top device. Ethernet/POE eliminates any battery and charging issues. The device is only somewhat mobile. No need for cameras, GPS, WAN, compass, etc, etc. Android to leverage existing App's. POE powered makes sense as POE is a great standard to distribute LV DC around the house. And it you have POE, use wired ethernet and forget the wifi.. Not opposed to wifi if you need it. Thinking of a 'raspberry pi' type device running Android with a multi-touch display. It could be wall-mounted or table/desk-top. Hey, if you want to add a battery&wifi it could be house-mobile too.
But it should be more than a 'duct-tape' prototype... That's why I asked about off-the-shelf android tablets. It sounds like a nice general purpose HA UI device. I know that many folks like mobile devices (phones, tablets, etc). But I want something 'always on' (so forget battery powered). Unless you have a device + charging cradle (think cordless telephone). Mobile phones and tablets aren't the best. And if you have good UTP coverage in the rooms, a wired device works.. Granted, not the best for retrofit applications without UTP.
Am I missing something? Does something like this exist? Maybe I should google a bit more...
The new Russound XTS device http://www.russound.com/product_detail.php?i=3431 motivated some of these thoughts. It's proprietary/closed. But an open device sounds better...
Here's more of my thoughts/comments/questions/etc: (sorry for the flow-of-consciousness format).
I'm not especially looking for a wall-mount devices, but rather a table/desk-top device. Ethernet/POE eliminates any battery and charging issues. The device is only somewhat mobile. No need for cameras, GPS, WAN, compass, etc, etc. Android to leverage existing App's. POE powered makes sense as POE is a great standard to distribute LV DC around the house. And it you have POE, use wired ethernet and forget the wifi.. Not opposed to wifi if you need it. Thinking of a 'raspberry pi' type device running Android with a multi-touch display. It could be wall-mounted or table/desk-top. Hey, if you want to add a battery&wifi it could be house-mobile too.
But it should be more than a 'duct-tape' prototype... That's why I asked about off-the-shelf android tablets. It sounds like a nice general purpose HA UI device. I know that many folks like mobile devices (phones, tablets, etc). But I want something 'always on' (so forget battery powered). Unless you have a device + charging cradle (think cordless telephone). Mobile phones and tablets aren't the best. And if you have good UTP coverage in the rooms, a wired device works.. Granted, not the best for retrofit applications without UTP.
Am I missing something? Does something like this exist? Maybe I should google a bit more...
The new Russound XTS device http://www.russound.com/product_detail.php?i=3431 motivated some of these thoughts. It's proprietary/closed. But an open device sounds better...