Allonis's new SmartRemote is pretty simple to install.

Requirements:

  • SmartRemote
  • SmartRemote Charging Hub and Micro USB charger
  • Wifi Access Point (not included in basic kit)
  • myServer 6 automation controller
  • AndroidTV Driver installed on myServer 6 (from Software Updater)
  • SmartRemote user interface tempate (like "MoonLight SmartRemote")

Install Moonlight SmartRemote template on myServer 6

It is best that myServer is setup and working for the needed functions (like turn TV on / off for that room, volume control working etc) before adding the SmartRemote into the mix.  Remember...the SmartRemote is "just" a user interface to myServer's defined services.

Connect SmartRemote to Wifi

  1. Ensure SmartRemote is charged.  If not, dock it in the plugged in charging hub for an hour or so
  2. Connect the Charging hub to the wall plug
  3. Place the SmartRemote into the hub.
  4. Boot SmartRemote by gently pressing right side button until you see the Allonis logo appear.
  5. The initial boot will take about 2 min 30 seconds.  The OS is expanding the memory so initial boot takes much longer than subsequent boots.
  6. Once SmartRemote completes boot,  you will see the Android Desktop.  Wait.  About 20 seconds later, the SmartRemote app will load.
  7. Review permissions and Confirm acceptance of all for all features to work.
  8. You should now see "Configure Wifi" button.  Click that.
  9. Turn Wifi On
  10. Click on Wifi
  11. Select your Access point.  Add your Access point Wifi password.
  12. Slide menu Up (to see text below) and click on Advanced.
  13. Select Static (you can keep it in DHCP but we highly recommend you use Static addressing for speed and reliability of connection)
  14. Type your static IP address (this should not be used by any other devices and not in the Router's DHCP range.  Static ensures a fast connection on SmartRemote startup and from waking up.  You can click "Show Password" since the onscreen keyboard is so small, easy to make a mistake.
  15. If you modify the prefix length take note that Android has a small bug where it will append "24" at the end of your non default prefix ie: "1624".  Just delete the 24 to fix this.
  16. Type your Router Gateway IP.  Typical network prefix length should be "24".  DNS can be 8.8.8.8 (Google's server) and DNS2 can be 8.8.4.4  If you have your own known good DNS, use that. 
  17. Click Connect.
  18. Enable SmartRemote's Michrophone privacy settings: In Settings, go to Apps & notifications.  Click on App permissions.  Click on Michrophone.  Enable SmartRemote.  Click the Back button "4" times to get back to the Android Desktop.
  19. You can click and Drag the SmartRemote launch icon to the Home page for easier access.
  20.  Launch the SmartRemote app.
  21. You should now be back to the SmartRemote app.  Click the Restart App button.
  22. Once it restarts (a few seconds), configure the IP address of the running myServer controller.
  23. Keep the Project name "smartremote" .  The smartremote web folder should already exist in the myServer wwwroot directory
  24. Name the SmartRemote in the last field.  By default, the "web client name" will be 'SmartRemoteX" X is a random number so that all webclients have a unique name.  If by chance you already have a webclient with same name, now is the time to modify the name to make it unique. Can be "SmartRemoteLivingRoom" as example.
  25. Click the Save and Connect button.  SmartRemote should now load the smartremote index.html webpage.
  26. Your SmartRemote initial configuration is now complete!

FAQ

  • How long will the battery last?  We see times of about 12 hours with the remote off of charge and in Dim mode.  If you are actively using the remote, the time can be less.  Simply dock the remote inbetween use sessions.
  • Why doesn't the display go black?  This seems to be a limitation of Android OS.  We are dimming the display down to "zero", but Android OS isn't letting it go black.  If you close the SmartRemote app, then the remote is configured so that the Desktop WILL go to black.   But it goes Dim, when the SmartRemote app is running in foreground.
  • How do I close the SmartRemote app? Simply Long press the Home button to get to the smartremote folder's home page.  Then, click the "dot dot dot" hard button.  Click the Exit SmartRemote button.

Advanced:

You can set a clientname / folder / myServer address in a client device (like SmartRemote) by running a command like:

ClientCmd|SetLaunchProperties|<project name>~<server ip>~<clientname>
Example:  ClientCmd|SetLaunchProperties|smartremote~192.168.1.216~smartremote8

When that macro is run, myServer reconfigures the client to connect to a different myServer instance - like when moving your SmartRemote from House to RV networks!

 

7/20/2023: smartremote.apk. (the software that runs on the SmartRemote)
a) configuration start page uses larger more-readable objects.
b) start page is scrollable so that you can slide it up when the soft keypad gets in the way. All form fields are clearly visible.
c) adds new functionality for short press, long press and numlock on the hard buttons.
single click = short press
press for 1 second = long press
press home for 3 seconds = toggles numlock.
d) adds indicators on the home page for signaling long press and numlock state.
when long press is active green ball displays in the upper left corner
when numlock is active orange ball displays in the upper left corner
NOTE: THESE ONLY DISPLAY ON THE HOME PAGE AT THE MOMENT
e) adds new listening feedback when speech recognition is in use.
f) for testing there are TOAST messages that describe the results of the various hard button presses and speech results.