Android for home automation / Intercom

[BtrSound]

Basically, there are some decent home automation software programs that are compatible with Android.

The home automation controllers like Control 4 want $799 for something less capable than an android tablet.

I am thinking about using a software based home automation system like Homeseer and using android tablets as my intercom and remote controls in each zone.

Has anyone done this?

Are there any good apps to basically use several tablets as intercoms where you can do a voice or video to another android tablet in one room or all rooms (aka a group of android tablets).

It would also be nice to control the music in that room or to broadcast it to a whole home audio system.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rukbat]

I've seen intercom apps. They use data or wifi.

As far as a home controller, maybe a box, controlled by an Android phone, maybe by Bluetooth (think Arduino or something similar) to send X10 signals to the house wiring?

I'd be willing to alpha test.

 

[BtrSound]

I will likely use Homeseer with a designated PC for the main controller and to do all of my setup. They have aps to where you can use the android tablet to control all of the functions such as lighting, sprinklers, security system, blinds, fireplace, whole home audio, etc. I am basically hoping to simply put a tablet in each room instead of a much more expensive controller. The only downsides that I see is I am not sure if they can be used as an intercom and the risk of someone stealing one and having control of your house. I may permanently mount them so that is much harder and password protect the entire system so that I can change the password if someone steals one.