Android?

[325xi]

Any idea when Android version is coming?

[SquareConnectMat]

@325xi

We have a very early version in development.... The android market is interesting.... Obviously important in the long run, but a very small numbers relative to other platforms at the moment.

We are almost ready to start building the beta tester list for that platform, so if you (or any body else who reads this) is interested, please Reply to the square connect forum SQ Remote>Feature Requests> Android Beta Signup (http://www.squareconnect.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=26)

mat

[325xi]

Do you evaluate overall numbers, or population that is likely to actually install and use your app?

Large part of the user base of BB and WM are corporate users, which often are not allowed to install non IT-approved apps.

Consumer WM is dying; new WM7 isn't backward compatible, so its user base can be considered next to none.

Nokia just officially shifted priority to dumbphones, which means its smartphone user base will shrink, and the new users that would be easily attracted to mios aren't likely to chose their old platform.

[SquareConnectMat]

Absolutely size and growth..

Also, if someone pays us to port it to a platform, no matter how many users ;-).

Android and Flash are both interesting to us not just for the phones, but because of the console and TV platforms.... There will be a number of well priced Networked Digital photoframes coming that wil be flash or Android based. Perfect additional control panels IMHO.

Blackberry is a potential platform, but I am rather hoping that our Flash will work on their next gen smartphones... at the moment you really have to write 5 applications to support BB....

[Sleeve]

Probably one of your biggest obstacles in the Android market is going to be sticker shock if you hope to carry over your current rates.  It's also de facto that you build a free ad supported version for the Android market.

Sure, ever since the woman locked her door from her minivan five miles away from home, it's been good business for z-wave and a lot of fruit phone owners looking for the latest watering hole oneupsmanship are gulping down some SQ Connect.

However. consider the eventually more vast intersect between geek, Android, and z-wave.  While there are millions more digital fashion accessories out there, the likelihood for an Android owner to get into z-wave is generally going to be higher.  Problem is, both in numbers and in market app rates, you'll make more money on fruit.

[stoney]

Yes, the need to keep it real and cost effective is important.

There was / is an app called Home Buddy that worked wonderfully
with Vera (for the Droid) as long as the user did not update the
GUI. It controlled and displayed events and devices and oh yes,
it was FREE.

It still works for those of us who choose not to upgrade....

[325xi]

Well, in my opinion the party who should be most interested in mobile support is MCV. Mobile control gives vera high "kewl" factor allowing to attract potential customers. I don't think development of mobile app for MCV should depend on whether people will pay $2 for it or not.

On the other side MCV's marketing strategy (or lack of thereof) with regard to Vera is beyond my understanding anyways - you can't see Vera anywhere: no blogs, no twitter, next to zero reviews or other mentionings in internet. Oh yes, no ads either.

First thing these days should be building mobile apps for as many platforms as possible, and working on spreading the word out!

[JimMac]

When we all upgrade to UI4 and loose support for UI2 and UI3 the Android market will be SOL.  I was using Home Buddy but lost remote control on both of my Nexus One's a few weeks back when I upgraded to UI3 and truly mis the service.  I would certainly try an add based app, if it was well designed and provided the necessary functionality then I would purchase an add free version.  I think most people would like to try an app out before purchasing just to make sure it works as advertised.

[Mark H.]

I agree.

MCV should be ALL OVER the mobile market.

[JaseP]

Does SQ Connect support the N900 (Maemo, soon to be Meego)

[Jacobly]

Currently SQ Remote is only commercially available for iOS (formerly "iPhone OS") I believe they are planning on an Android version. No talks of support for Meamo or Meego that I have heard.

[mikemsd]

Would like to add another vote for Android. Please don't forget the #2 smartphone platform.

[Pierre.bln]

It's always hard to admit the other side deserves some attention 
I am an Mac, iPhone and iPad user and am not planning to switch to Android anytime near in the future.

However, as it was mentionned, there are two aspects that may drive attention to the developpers to Android:
1 - Obviously, the high growth of the platform, which is becoming a 1:1 competitor with iOS
2-  As it was mentioned, home automation is still attracting a large "geek" customer base. A customer base that probably is well more equipped in Android than the average population (the search for "open source", "no locked iTunes store"...)

I don't want support removed from my beloved "does little but does it well" iPhone  , but I would assume the potential market with Android is slightly more important than what developpers think

[reiserx]

Android surpassed the iphone in users on May 10 only a month after sq said they had relitively small numbers.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20004585-266.html I woner where they are now that the iphone 4 is out. That may have helped apple catch back up a little.

[mario23]

Good find.  Now with the Iphone 4 having its own set of problems as well,  number might go down some more..who knows.
Either way, good news for Android.