Well... I can't program AT ALL, but I like to think I'm pretty decent at design. So I decided to make a little mock-up of my ideal iPad remote app for Plex.
I'm not sure if everything I did in the mockup is even technically possible, but I hope so. I'm kind of busy with exams at the moment, but after I'm done, I'll make mockups for the other views.
If anyone can program and would be interested in helping me make this app a reality, let me know ;)
Also, let me know what you guys think of the design ;)
(And yes, I was inspired by Aeon, cover-flow and the Plexapp.com website, so props to the original designers!)
I am still on the fence wether I will be using plex or boxee. Once alexandria is out for the public to play with, I will decide. If I do decide plex, I’ll get in touch as I have done some iPhone development.
there is yes, most current iphone and other remotes use the old xmbc http api documented here: http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=WebServerHTTP-API
however, if starting a new project, I would wait for plex .9, because of the totally redone library, the old xbmc http api will be removed and replaced with something newer and better.
I was wondering if it would be possible to keep the "selection" on the remote app and on the Plex in sync, somehow. As in, I was wondering if it would be possible that when the user uses the remote app to scroll to say, "The Dark Knight", the Plex application in turn select/highlight "The Dark Knight". Ideally, it would, as it would be quite odd to have a static "movies" screen on the television while you're scrolling through your library on the remote.
Seems to me that VNC’ing Plex through the iPad would be the easiest route. The interface and skins are already there. The only issue I can think of is if Plex could be programmed to respond to swipes and pokes.
Nah, it’s too laggy, the best solution would be to cache a copy of the plex library locally on the ipad so you can peruse without having to look up at the tv, a bit like how turbolag does it in the iPhone app controllr. The iPad with its large screen and snappy functionality will lend itself to a truly gorgeous remote with large fan art etc which i’m sure is already in the making, fingers crossed.
yeah if im understanding this correctly, you want your ipad to have a visual reference of the plex library. That would be awesome, similar to how pandora does the radio stations on the iphone.
but like someone said before, you would have to “image” the database. Or do some sort of screen share in order to do that.
maybe a cached database file that is “resync’d” to the ipad/iphone a certain times, once a day etc.
i have been working on this… but i bet others have also
I would love this app. I love the idea of it following along/mirroring on the plex app as you browse through coverflow or whatever other view. I wonder if it would be better to have an unobtrusive but prominent “Now Playing…” message with the browser view still visible while a film selection is playing, or if it would be better to have the browser turned away while a movie is playing. Or… some even better alternative. I hope that a programmer can step in soon. The design is really nice so far.
