We are working on a few things, finishing up the Android integration improvements on the Xpad webserver, the project creation system in the skin editor for setting up home control systems using a simple step by step menu based creation process making it easier to setup menu's to create control systems faster and more efficiently. Adding a few new features, misc bug fixes, exploring new oppurtunities.
Obviously there has been many changes in the last few years in regards to home control, home automation systems and content management, devices such as Apple TV, Roku, VUDU STB products. The economy is obviously playing a major role on consumer spending habits and for many the crippling housing markets make it difficult for many to justify the costs for many of these types of systems. Many consumers are confused and uneducated on all the technologies available to them, simply put they just don't want to keep recycling electronic products on a regular bassis. Keep in mind that not all home owners have the expertise that many individuals have here on this forum to create virtually any type of systems for themselves or adopt new technology on the fly.
Many companies including xLobby that market and sell products in the system integration channel are experiencing the same issues and unknowns of where the market is going exactly. More and more iPad-Android control systems and companies are showing up everywhere based on IP-network control hardware devices and several different web based cloud concepts. The market will so become saturated with these types of control systems but beware many of them will have huge obstacles to deal with in the future.
1. Shrinking IR based products to control are reducing the need for expensive or eloborate tablets many manufacures of receivers, TV's now provide simple hard button tactile remote controls with the ability to act as a universal remote for other products like your stereo receiver, direct TV box, etc. Many home users still want simple tactile devices to control there home systems, companies like RTI, Universal Remote Control (URC), Logitech all do a fine job at a reasonable price point. Some models are do-it yourself and others require extensive programming skills from a knowlegeable system integration company.
2. DLNA is going to play a bigger part in remote control as well as IP based interfaces between equipment. More information on DLNA here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Living_Network_Alliance3. HDMI CEC control. More info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI4. Many manufactures are providing free applications that can operate there products using iPads, Androids devices more effectivly than programmers can write externally because they don't have direct access to information and tools to communicate efficiently like native applications created by the manufacture do.
5. Cloud based storage for media and smart televisions will reduce additional external devices and the requirements to control them.
Gesture based concepts and speech enabled devices will also play a role in the future when interacting with electronic devices.
As far as any roadmap we are constantly evaluating the market place to see how we can continue to develop solutions that will enhance a users experience when interacting with there technology. xLobby will move in the directions necessary to be relevant in media management and control and to adapt to the industry as it moves forward.
As always I will post any relevant information about xLobby in the news section of the main website.
Thanks again to the valued end users and individuals here on the forum that continue to make xLobby a great product....!
by lar282 on Thu Feb 02, 2012 7:41 am 
