Home Automation Raspberry pi : Apple HomeKit & Siri

Recently, I found following 2 fantastic tutorials for  Home Automation Raspberry pi : Apple HomeKit & Siri.

http://adityatannu.com/blog/post/2015/12/13/ESP8266-based-HomeKit-accessories.html

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/make-diy-siri-controlled-wi-fi-light/

Both the tutorials are awesome and I have extended to control TV, Digicom, etc
It was fun and very to control using Siri.

Full credit to Aditya & James for very nice and easy to follow tutorial.

HTC Desire HD - Root and Install Custom ROM

This tutorial is on how to root and install custom ROM on HTC DHD.

 WARNING : Do it at your own risk!

Basically, grab a copy of Advanced Ace Hack Kit, make sure you read all the instruction and your phone meet the requirements. 

Let's prepare your phone for root :

• Plugin your phone to your computer's USB
• Make sure the mode is set to Charge only.
• Turn on USB debugging: Menu -> Settings ->Applications -> Development -> Check USB Debugging
• Check your SD card is good and not corrupted.

Let's root :

• Download the AAHK and make sure you read all the instructions very carefully.
• Read effen-manual.html which is located in the root folder).
• Run (as Administrator) hack-ace.cmd 
• Enter passkey located at /tools/txt/CAJUN.TXT
• Change the flash method to hbootPD98IMG
• Choose 1 and enter
• Now wait and watch as fun begins... :) 

If you are using Android 2.3.5 on your DHD then you need to perform about steps two times. First to downgrade to 2.3.3 and than real root.  

Now it's time to download and install custom ROM.

After the rooting is complete, you should now have a fully working rooted Android phone. Next it's time to install a custom ROM. This is easy.

Download ROM Manager from Play Store.  Open the app and choose Flash ClockworkMod Recovery the first thing you do.

There are many cool ROMs available for HTC DHD. Download your favorite and rename as update.zip. 
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1539423 is one of the best and worth trying...

In ROM Manager, choose Install ROM from SD Card, tap update. It is always good idea to Backup Existing ROM, Wipe Data and Cache, Wipe Dalvik Cache and proceed.

Raspberry Pi - Setup Windows NAS storage using SAMBA server

Easy steps to Setup Windows NAS storage using SAMBA server on  Raspberry Pi

1. Connect pi using putty or other similar tool 
2. Now lets make sure system is up to date using 
• sudo apt-get update
3. Connect your external HDD to Raspberry Pi. Execute following command and look for 
• pi@raspbmc:~$ sudo fdisk -l
• Disk /dev/mmcblk0: 3965 MB, 3965190144 bytes
• 4 heads, 16 sectors/track, 121008 cylinders, total 7744512 sectors
• ...........................................................
• ...........................................................
• Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
• I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
• Disk identifier: 0x00186eb3
• 
  
•    Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
• /dev/sda1              63  1953520064   976760001    c  W95 FAT32 (LBA)
4. Let's create following directory 
• sudo mkdir /mnt/hdd_tb
5. Edit following file and add last line
• sudo vi /etc/fstab
• proc            /proc           proc    defaults         0       0
• devpts          /dev/pts        devpts  defaults        0       0
• /dev/mmcblk0p1  /boot           vfat    defaults         0       0
• /dev/mmcblk0p2  none            swap    sw               0       0
• /dev/mmcblk0p3  /               ext4    defaults,noatime 0       0
• /dev/sda1       /mnt/hdd_tb     vfat    defaults         0       0
6. Mount the HDD
• sudo mount -a
7. List the hdd contents
• ls /mnt/hdd_tb
8. Now install SAMBA
• sudo apt-get install samba
• sudo apt-get install samba-common-bin
9. Edit smb.conf based on your need using following command. There are many tutorials available online.
•  sudo vi /etc/samba/smb.conf
• [usb]
• comment = USB Share
• path = /mnt/hdd_tb
• read only = No
• create mask = 0777
• directory mask = 0777
• guest only = Yesguest ok = Yes
10. Start SAMBA service
• sudo service samba restart
11. Access the files using 
• \\<IP ADDREES>\usb

XBMC as DLNA/UPnP Digital Media renderer (DMR)

XBMC can be easily configured as DLNA/UPnP  Digital Media renderer (DMR).

Digital Media Renderer (DMR): These devices play content received from a digital media controller (DMC), which will find content from a digital media server (DMS).

Examples :
DMR : PC / laptop with XBMC running
DMC : Your smart phone - Android and iphone has many applications so it can be used as DMC
DMS : NAS or PC/Laptop with DLNA server running. There are many free DLNA servers are available like serviio, PS3 media server, Twonly, etc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Fl1JO3Elg

Configuration: 
Start XBMC --> Settings --> Network --> Allow Control of XBMC via UPnP
That's it - you're done. Open DMC app on your smart phone and enjoy....

  

Raspberry Pi alternatives

Raspberry Pi  has created endless focus and possibilities for small, inexpensive computers, Fortunately, it's not alone in the marketplace. Here are few alternatives that offer power as well as comfort to your wallet.

BeagleBoard

It is from Texas Instruments and provides a highly flexible development platform. However, at $150 and lot more expensive than the $35 Raspberry Pi B.

VIA APC

Taiwanese VIA Technologies announced it will begin selling its Android-based APC system in July 2012 at price around $49, However, extra cash buys you more USB slots, RAM and many other goodies. You can register on their website to get latest information on release date and price.

Intel NUC

Although it's also why above $35 Raspberry Pi's price range at $100, Intel's Next Unit of Computing packs on some beefy hardware with ability to mighty Windows. It is not yet available and expected release in the latter half of 2012.

MK802

At price tag of $74, the MK802 is Android-based mini system. It is very compact and looks amazing. Unfortunately like the Raspberry Pi, the MK802 is currently out of stock :(