As I said, I applaud them for doing it. It's even better that it is an open source type of product that can have been tied into something that wasn't an entirely proprietary control system interface. But, they don't ship with that interface, or the gui to run that interface, or the integration of 12 of the locks in a home system... There's probably several days of work possible the first time this is setup in a large home with a dozen doors on it. Just for that one small feature. Cool to have it there though.
I also think that I pointed out that manufacturers have no interest in making this easy. You basically took 4.5 hours to program a remote control with experienced A/V guys. That's the same thing it has been for a decade. The toys and remotes are cooler, but it's still an experienced A/V tech with good knowledge and hours of work to get it going on a basic receiver, cable, bd, tv setup.
I'm plenty creative enough to know that IP is the way of the future, but I'm not so naive as to believe that manufacturers are going to standardize upon a reasonable protocol schematic that isn't going to require a bit of technical know-how to make it all go together.
Where it will go well is with the Harmony type stuff, only in an IP world, where it does all end up going together, but through a 3rd party working their tails off to make it happen. Not because the manufacturers actually are striving to make things easier.
I do agree that Crestron and AMX are expensive products, but I typically install B-stock items where for a few hundred bucks they can have that iPad/iPhone interface available to them with a free application with serial/IP/IR control as well for just a few hundred bucks in hardware. Unfortunately, if you don't have a Control4 system, I'm not sure how useful this new lock will be to your iPhone.
The manufacturers are building their proprietary systems as fast as they can with complete ignorance of integration and the importance thereof. You don't end up with an intuitive single user interface which can be navigated by J6P on his iDevice and the industry has taken no steps towards that as a whole. Just on the individual level.
In 2012, things will have advanced, but nothing will have converged, and without integration, you aren't one step closer than you were ten years ago. The difference being that it will be easier to integrate so cheaper, and far sloppier, solutions will be presented to confuse consumers even more.
As the saying goes: The more things change...
1st, I want to say that I agree with what you're saying on many levels in regards to end-users still needing programming expertise and know how. I also agree that integrators or "installers" who cobble together Frankensystems will end up bringing a bad name to automation and systems control. But....
That's where good companies/people come in. The reason it took so long was because we were just starting to get hands on with that type of software. Long term this app, for example, should program smoothly for us. Especially since the software allows you to store everything on a separate site (like Harmony) and mirror it from one system/interface to the next. Changes can also be made off-site and will take affect when the client syncs his iPad.
The Yale lock videos that I have seen show a multilock/label/tracking system that should be available through an online interface relatively soon (6 months). It seemed very straight forward from the vids but, yeah, I could see quite the learning curve for not just the locks but a lot of different types of equipment. Yale is supposedly making an iPad/Phone interface available by Spring 2011. It's also - right now - able to be controlled through ZWAVE & ZIGBEE, which can work with iPad/Phone & iRule app just fine. Although, until I buy & try... I'll always speculate no matter who says what. But after talking to iRule, they were incredibly confident ZWAVE & ZIGBEE devices can be integrated onto their app. So can X10.
Manufacturers don't need to do anything different to make this iRule work, & that's a great thing! The Global Cache pieces do the conversions from IP to IR/RS232 & the iPad sends out commands and speaks to other pieces on the network. So, as long as manufacturers keep putting IR & RS232 on their products, we should be all set.
I guess here's what I think is exciting with software/app based products like iRule: The more low cost, quality pieces that work reliably - the better it is for you & I. I could by a Yacht on the internet in 10 mins, let alone a speaker or piece of automation equipment. Things can be found cheap & easy if someone's willing to do the leg work & know where to look. So, how do guys like you & I stay in business and earn a deserved living?
Answer: Our brains. I would give equipment away for free if I could get it for free. My brain & expertise is where I make my money. So if companies like iRule & Global Cache can be combined to crush the entry cost of some really slick automation features.... even if it's a small one room system or specific area of the house like a basement, I'm all in. Think of how many clients past, present, and future that would benefit from & love some form of automation if it could be had at a reasonable cost.
Even if the iPad is only a really sweet TV remote for 90% of your clients, think of it this way: What does a decked out RTI or URC MX-6000 remote with all of the RF pieces typically cost? ... Around $2Kish programmed or more? What's dealer cost on that, around $1Kish, right? So....about $1K profit. Well, how's this for value add.... iPad with IR ITACH piece = $610 in equipment cost. Sell it for $1800 programmed and you've just given your client an incredibly versatile remote, with the ability to expand and grow as their needs change AND you've increased your bottom line because instead of $1K you've made $1190. Oh, and by the way.... it does so much more than be just a remote for a family room surround sound system!
I just see so many possibilities for this kind of progression. Automation with some localized components (TV, receiver, theater equipment, etc.) as well as global pieces (lighting control, security, camera, etc.) that requires little out of pocket expense from a communications materials stand point just opens so many doors for our clients. I used to think that wireless would put us out of business but over the Summer I think it's going to end up doing quite the opposite. Remember: Boxes come & boxes go, but people will always need your brain.
PS: Sorry for the books I keep writing, but this is a subject that irks and intrigues me. I'm constantly working on things on our test bench to see what works and what doesn't. And where we can find better, more cost effective solutions for our clients while not taking anything away from their experience.