The first new xLobby release for 2011. Many new features and updates to the xLobby V3 platform are in the works…..stay tunned !

xLobby V3 – 3.0.11014.31
========================
– 0000902: [web server] normal rectangles don’t show correctly (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000917: [generic] spiders dvd do not give any information (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000913: [web server] Web server- client /web cannot show some characters (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000910: [generic] download cover art from “web” could cause crash in rare cases (1×1 gif image result) (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000908: [skin editor] “none” background caused problems on new web interface (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000907: [client/server] new feature under xnet, send server skin folder to clients (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000906: [generic] when searching for covers modified searches are ignored sometimes (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000905: [web server] “hidden” buttons are no longer visible (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000904: [web server] a “server” command will not be converted into a web link (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000903: [web server] any command containing goto or overlay will be converted into a single web link (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000921: [skin editor] setting button image to “none” shows up yellow on restart (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000920: [generic] click sounds don’t work on input buttons that have no events (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000919: [content playback] “set next track” option (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000894: [animation] the new cat text scroll can not be turned off (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000912: [web server] Back does not work on a /web client (stevenhanna6) – resolved.
– 0000924: [generic] “music->playlist item set next” Sets the selected track to be the next track in the playlist (stevenhanna6) – resolved.

Download from updates under setup or full downloads from Mantis or My xLobby.

Wes Black

xLobby CES 2011

xLobby was at CES 2011 demonstrating the latest V3 improvments and features now with the xPad integration for web enabled devices. There was a lot of intrest in xLobbys 2 way control from Ipads, phones and other mobile, network devices based on internet explorer, mozilla, safari and the android OS browsers.

xLobby Booth CES 2011

More Than 140K Attended CES 2011. Some technologies moving forward with lot of new features and improvements were Internet based TV’s, Android tablet based hardware and more 3D products.

Tablets everywhere, CES: Android tablet preview:

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-32254_1-20026183-283.html

Motorola Xoom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPUGNCIozp0&feature=player_embedded

Archos 101 Tablet now available, 8GB $299.00, 16GB $ 349.00

http://www.archos.com/products/ta/archos_101it/index.html?country=us&lang=en

Engadget Review

http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/24/archos-70-and-101-internet-tablet-review/

CES: MSI shows WinPad 100A

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-32254_1-20027921-283.html

Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series Tablet-PC:

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-32254_1-20027967-283.html?tag=mncol;cnetRiver

Acer Tablet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SmsZwtNAbo

Vizio Phone & Tablet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23nazv_p01s

Samsung Smart TV:

http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2011/01/samsung-smart-tvs-get-a-lot-smarter-at-ces.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNx2iFA-3yU&playnext=1&list=PL6C4518824AD1EB2E&index=54

Some cool CES technology

Beamz Player

http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2011/01/samsung-smart-tvs-get-a-lot-smarter-at-ces.html

The Cool Gadgets:

http://thecoolgadgets.com/tag/ces-2011/

This news post is subject to changes or updates.
Wes Black

Calrad’s new inwall iPad kit. Mount your iPad in the wall for a complete control system. Charges your iPad and provides Wi-Fi signal up to 200 ft. .

xLobby iPad Inwall Kit

In-Wall kit Brochure .jpg.

PDF File Link: xLobby iPad Inwall Kit

Wes Black

xLobby xPad Brochure

At CES 2011 xLobby will have it’s own booth seperate from the Calrad booth, this allows customers to view and touch xLobby products and technology directly. The booth will showcase the new xLobby Cube hardware and the xPad-iPad control integration of the most current V3 software release, this will provide visitors with a focused experience on  what the new xLobby platform is all about.  Booth number 20314, south hall, bottom floor of the Las Vegeas convention center.

xLobby xPad Literature 

 PDF File Download: xLobby xPad Literature web 

 

Looking forward to seeing you at CES 2011.

 

 
Wes Black

Nuvo Integration

We have added 3 new menu control screens in the xLobby default skin and updated the xLobby xcontroller to provide full duplex, 2 way communication with all Nuvo multizone audio systems.

 

The skin menus are configured for Nuvo Essentia but the interface can be modified to work with there other multizone audio systems.

nuvo1

Screenshot: xLobby Nuvo control page 1 of 2 for 12 zones

 

nuvo2

Screenshot: xLobby Nuvo control overlay

 

Nuvo Website:  http://www.nuvotechnologies.com/

 

Wes Black

Tablets Everywhere

 Samsung xPad 

xLobby xPad Lighting 

News Links:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703805704575593550749221716.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703369704575460950108322876.html?mod=WSJ_article_related

 

MK-BH347_SKTABL_NS_20101104183734

 

Tablet manufactures:

Archos:

http://www.archos.com/

HP:

http://h71016.www7.hp.com/html/Slate/index.asp?jumpid=re_r295_psg_092310_gen_off_1/psgpromo/nbgw&psn=notebooks_tablet_pcs/notebook_pcs

Samsung:

http://www.samsung.com/us/article/do-more-on-the-go-with-the-galaxy-tab-

 

Wes Black

xLobby Xpad First Release

What is Xpad:

Basically xLobby is using  HTML to recreate a more dynamic 2 way interface to generate all of the same xLobby control GUI menus that  already exist in xLobby for any web based device without having to redesign the complete interface for different devices. Different menus can be created for different devices. Remember this is the first release and we will be updating the Xpad platform on a regular basis.

apple-touch-startup-image

xLobbyx new xPad Ipad splash screen screenshot

Setting up xLobby Xpad:

First download current xLobby release or bleeding edge release.

Web Browser Control using xLobbys new built in Web Server

iPad, Android, iPhone, Droid, firefox, internet explorer

XLobby can be controlled using a browser based device in using two
different methods.

1. Direct control, anything you do effects the xLobby interface your
connected too, xLobby serves up HTML jpeg image requests (Old Method).

New xLobby Xpad control
2. Independent control, each client device is on its own and has no
effect on the interface. Any page after the web will load.
Example: http://192.168.254.165:8002/web/Ipad Demo Menu
To correctly size a existing Skin menu for a particular device, clone the menu and set the viewport to the correct resolution. Note you will need to do this for each menu you want to view or control. Soon we will be adding a simple way to clone a menu on the fly to the correct resolution for Xpad.
So if you want to test one of your own menus, this is the format:
http://192.168.254.165:8002/web/Your Page Name Here

Setup Menu Webserver xPad

Screenshot: Setup webserver menu in xLobby

xPad Viewport Skin Editor

Screenshot: Skin editor, Screen properties, Viewport settings

xPad Ipad Demo Menu

Screenshot Ipad demo menu

xLobby Ipad Demo Menu

Ipad demo menu on a Ipad.

Ipad demo menu for the default skin. This simple meu will control the navigation of xLobby has the ability to adjust the master volume, load up all tracks in your music library and offers media playback controls.

Ipad Demo Menu.xml, use right click Save target as… to download the file.

Link: http://www.xlobby.com/forum/download/file.php?id=1222

Install this file in your skin folder

See this News post for future details and features.

http://xlobby.com/news/2010/10/28/xlobby-v3-update-new-dynamic-html-webserver-available-soon/

If anyone is interested in sharing there Xpad menu designs or videos of them using the Xpad system on Ipads, Cell Phones or other devices, please post the details at this link.

http://www.xlobby.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=7379

This News post is subject to updates.

Wes Black

We have been busy with many new design concepts, ideas and hardware to keep moving xLobby forward. There is so much happening in our industry with regards to how people want to interact with their home theater A\V – automation systems and what devices and methods they use to control them. The major buzz at Cedia 2010 lately seems to be all about IPAD, Itouch, Iphone interfacing and control. The low cost and popularity of the Ipad has pushed many companies that have had pricey, proprietary hardware control platforms to reevaluate their product offerings.

Updated this post on 11-08-2010

First release available now: http://xlobby.com/news/2010/11/01/xlobby-xpad-first-release/

The new xPad webserver system in xlobby can run on any device that supports Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Safari. Now xLobby can just be a simple control system or a powerful media management and control system, you decide. Build your own control menus yourself without the cost of a out sourced programming service or in house specialized  systems programmer. 

xLobby Ipad Interface

xlobby Ipad Interface Shot 2

Images of xLobby IPad test menu control interface, fullscreen with 2 way feedback.

IPAD xPad Direct TV Basic Screen

Direct TV Basic Control Menu

IPAD xPad Direct TV Advanced Screen

Direct TV Advanced Control Menu

IPAD xPad Direct TV DVR Screen

Direct TV DVR Menu

The 3 Direct TV menus are just sample testing designs and can be changed or modified to suit any users preference for controls or layout. Design interfaces that work in landscape or portrait orientation.

xLobby xPad Lighting

Basic Lighting Control Menu with 2 Way Feedback

xLobby xPad Yamaha Receiver on iPad

Yamaha Receiver Control

Website (Ipad): http://www.apple.com/ipad/

xLobby Pad Archos

The new Archos 101, 10.1″ Android tablet will run the new xLobby webserver applications. Suggested retail between $300.00-350.00

Website: http://www.archos.com/products/ta/archos_101it/index.html?country=us&lang=en

Samsung xPad

The new Samsung Galaxy Tab 7″ tablet will run the new xLobby webserver applications.

Website: http://www.samsung.com/us/article/do-more-on-the-go-with-the-galaxy-tab-

xPad HTC Droid Shot1

HTC Droid and other Cell phones with wi-fi browsers can easily interface with xLobby new webserver application.

The next release of xLobby V3 will have some  new powerful tools with ongoing improvements with updated features for creating interfaces that can be used on the Ipad, Itouch, Iphone, Droid or any other device that supports a webbrowser interface driven by the standards of internet explorer, Mozilla and Safari. These new tools and features can be applied to existing remote control comapanies like RTI, URC (Universal Remote Control) who have webbrowser based technology built into there handheld remotes and inwall touchscreen products.  These new features and tools are a completely different concept then the the xLobby webserver that exists right now. The existing (Webserver) uses a method that sends static jpeg based images that are updated and controlled by sending button coordinates back to the server to update the page with a new jpeg image. This process works but has several issues of speed and also requires the screen to refresh in order for the user to see the changes.

The new platform is completely converted and coded in HTML on the fly from xLobbys current skin editor, creating virtualy the same user experience as the xLobby compiled software. The first release will have some limitations and restrictions on certain advanced controls and commands until we complete all the programming and HTML coding translations. Using the new HTML5 language format will allow us to create visualy dynamic interfaces with simple tools in the existing xLobby skin editor, eliminating complex coding to the user. 

These new features and tools provide xLobby the ability to create very simple and dynamic control interfaces that can run on many devices without the needed overhead of the windows OS. Now use xlobby V3 just to create and control IR, RS232 or IP based devices only.

A few items to mention about the first inital release.

1. The menu buttons graphicly change states just like the current xLobby menus.

2. Sound feedback when buttons are pressed.

3. Realtime feedback and updates for all xLobby variables including volume, music progress time, progress bar, coverartwork, etc.

4. Constant Button touch for repeated triggering, useful for volume controls, channel up/down, lighting (Diming-Brightness) commands.

5. Automatic reconnection when out of wi-fi range with message system indicating loss of connection network connectivity.

6. Works in Ipad webbrowser mode or fullscreen, no browser controls shown, also disables the bookmark or any other features that effect the display.

7. Easily supports multiple devices-Ipads on the same wi-fi or hard wired network at the same time providing users with the ability to be independent and in different menus.

8. Design menus in different resolutions for multiple devices all in real time using the same skin editor and tools that xLobby V3 uses. (Viewport) Feature.

9. New menu tools for seperating standard menus from webserver based menus, screenshots will be available soon.

10. A fast interface with no screen refresh or loss of graphic quality.

12. The new display technologies from many manufactures like Samsung, LG, Panasonic and Sony are incorporating  builtin webbrowsers to access online content. These new products will now provide a simple method for displaying the xLobby GUI directly to the display with the ability to stream music and movies without multiple PC’s or xLobby hardware.

 

xLobby xPad Viewport

xPad Screenshot showing the skin editor with some of the new tools. The Viewport settings allow you to Zoom in and out to specific resolutions or to select the device you are designing the interface GUI for, further features will include naming and saving your own custom screen sizes. A option to show a mockup of the device with the skin inside the screen area will provide users with a realistic view of what the menu might look like when loaded.

xLobby_xPad_presets

Screenshot of the xLobby skin editor showing the new viewport preset menu for designing menus for different devices.

xPad Style Copy With Text

Screenshot of the skin editor with a new feature to copy a buttons style and text in one copy, paste event.

 

xLobby Skin Editor Tools

Screenshot of the xLobby V3 Skin Editor

Did I mention that xLobby has one of the most powerful set of design and control tools in the industry built right into the application. The xLobby platform is now over 12 years old and under constant development. It is now possible to create any interface you want for Ipads, Iphones, Android phones and many other products.

 

xLobby Web based Layout with Ipads

xPad Control Diagram

The xpad example diagram shows how using a single inexpensive xLobby piece of hardware running xLobby V3 can control 6 zones of Audio-Video products all using standard networking products and IP based IR control hardware. The diagram illustrates using web based products, wired or wireless to view and control xLobby or any piece of IR driven equipment, notice that all the control devices are running on different platforms and that all the devices can run at the same time and be in different menus. This diagram is a first in a series of diagrams that will show the power of xLobby leveraging any technology today for control of any device over IR, RS232, IP. With xLobbys builtin skin editor and management tools, installations that require very simple or complex interface can be created on for individual devices. For example a Ipad can have one menu with many controls on it for whole house lighting and a Iphone could have just 4 simple on\off buttons on it for 2 zone lighting control.

Using IP based products with xLobby users can provide a simple method of creating a inexpensive and cost effective non-proprietory scaleable media management and control system.  Operate your HVAC, Lighting, Security, Multi Zoned Audio, Energy Management systems from well known cost effective products using various manufactures on multiple devices.

In future versions of the xPad platform it may be possible to use web based displays/Tvs like Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, LG to directly control xLobby using simple 6 button navigation controls or have a web based tablet in mimic/mirror mode directly control what you see on the display in xLobby for that room. The TV display may directly render music or movie content directly from the xLobby managed hard drives or NAS storage devices.

Other interesting possibilities on the xPad system is that any of the devices (Wired or wireless) can be setup to control all of the other Audio-Video systems in the house. This will be available on the first release.

 

I will be updating this news post on a regular bassis, so check back to see new information, screenshots, diagrams and videos regarding xLobbys new dynamic webserver media delivery and control system. 

Wes Black

 

A rescent article in residential systems magazine regarding a theater installation for Jim Long founder of a music library company called FirstCom using xLobby and Calrad components for the homes Movie, Music media management system. The  theater space was designed by renovation architect, Carl Tatz.

Link: http://www.resmagonline.com/article/46880.aspx

Jim long Theater 1

xLobby Touchscreen shown on table with equipment at the rear of the theater

Jim Long Theater 2

xLobby Touchscreen shown on table facing the projection screen in the theater

xLobby Screenshot Jim Long

xLobby Interface Screenshot

 

Wes Black

Tytpical interface diagram with Russound and xLobby for a seemless integration of multizone audio control and xLobby media management in 12 Locations.

 

xLobby Mini's with russound setup

 Forum post using this setup:

 http://xlobby.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7369&p=51775&hilit=cabo#p51775

Wes Black