PC-based (or anything but Apple) control point for Unitiqute?

Kinsky 4.2.1 works for me (admittedly, this is on a Mac, but it is cross platform so should also work under Windows).  No volume or source control, but quite usable as a UPNP control point.

Alternatively, Windows Media Player 11 on Windows 7 is also capable of controlling a Uniti through its Play To feature.

Frank,

Ironically UPNP doesn't play well with Mac OS yet Control Points work best on iOS devices.

There must be Android UPNP apps out there.

I know nothing of Android tablets though and certainly even less about which app work with whose devices.

I would never buy a Mac, but LOVE the iPad.  You should fancy one, really.

If you are getting a Windows based tablet that will run ANY software, you could use anything as a server and ALL should work to some degree with the Uniti range.

-Patrick

I saw one last week, the R2 at an exhibition, my fingers were too fat and there was no dialling wand provided. Went to the Apple shop after at late night shopping and had a play. Not for me.

Rather expensive for what will essentially be a remote control  ...which it how it would remain if  I used Apple.

I don't want another unecessary OS to complicate integration with my PC gear (save that kinda multi-OS environment for work where I get paid, I want to switch off from that at my front door, life's too short to take work home.

So I suppose that would eliminate Android from my requirements too unless it seamlessly and transparently integrates with PC or it was very cheap.

If I'm getting somthing like a slate / tablet  or whatever the generic name for those devicves are, I would like it to do other general computer tasks, without having to spend 5 figures on new software.

I quite like that device that's like a laptop but has a removable keyboard (I definitely need an attached keyboard, not some USB / bluetooth lash up for it to be any use).

Maybe Illustrate (the dBpowerAmp people) will come up with something that works across different hi-fi platforms, they have enough Naim and other high-end and mass market streaming customers to sell such a product.

It'll be a while anyway before I get anything, just getting an idea of what I'm aiming (and saving) for. I think a NAS/ WHS box is the next priority, streaming 24 bit slows down my State of the Ark P4 PC a bit, obsolete RAM is too pricey and I'd feel a bt safer with all my music files and course files on a RAID machine. 

I wouldn't discount Android based tablets too quickly, if you're looking for something that does the job and reflects a price suitable for something that is just going to be used as a glorified "touch screen" remote control.

There are many media servers, both upnp/dlna, etc, that work with Android, such as the excellent Twonky.

There are also some tablets with full Linux support, which may widen server software compatibility a little .

If you want solely to use it as a "server remote" I wouldn't be too put off by an OS you may not be familiar with, as once it's up and running you can leave it to work a little like a "kisok" mode - full screen app and no other distractions.

Also, regarding the first point - price/function, it is interesting to note that the lttle ones now start sub £100 for 7" and not a lot more for 10" (preferable)

I am not familiar with the Unity "family" protocol support, but as long as Naim haven't made their own broken implementations of upnp, etc, like the "big name" OS companies, you should find compatibility with normal protocol adhering products to be simple enough

Bear in mind, as far as the newer Mac family goes (OSX), it too is now BSD based - another Unix clone, like Linux and Android (Android being based off Linux) - so don't be put off of looking at other *nix clones, like Android, for example, is what I'm trying to say.

The device you mentioned which is a "laptop with detachable keyboard" runs Windows on the "laptop" part and switches to Linux once detached into "tablet" mode. At least the one I saw launched fairly recently worked like that. Beware of cross-program compatibility in "detached" tablet mode

I only mend Windows machines, not use them

I had only commented on Android price regions.

However, since you mention it, Windows 7 based tablets can be had from around £350 upwards, which seems cheaper than an iPad to me. But then we aren't comparing like for like hardware-wise here, of course. Just a base price guide, that's all.

Having said that, MS usually offer heavily discounted licensing prices (OS, Office, etc) to OEM's, in order to reduce costs, if they need to "catch up" with the market shares lost to a competitive product. It probably won't be long untill you see comparative pricing structures at the higher spec' end.

They usually regain the edge simply because of pre-existing market saturation of software/hardware support and user familiarity. It's nice to see other OS's, like the Mac and Android products, taking off.

The launch of Windows 8 will probably bring quite a change to the Windows based tablet market sales. They're designing a quite advanced tablet specific version, I believe.

The more recent developments with the tablet model have become quite interesting, in that it is primarily designed now as a "web based" tool, which to a certain extent negates the importance of the underlying OS.

By this I mean that most of the demands placed upon them are for web accessed services, email, browsing, Youtube-like services, etc, which tend to be much less demanding than most of the software used on desktops, Office, CAD, Photo editing, etc.

This has made a much more interesting playing field, allowing manufacturers to compete with a wide range of devices from quite cheap and low powered, up to high end. Looking back over the last decade, tablets used to need to be as powerful as higher end laptops/desktops, simply in order to be able to run the same mainstream software.

Tablets were just a "different" way of using a "laptop" - but now they're used more as a lightweight "mobile lifestyle" product, i.e. quite different market requirements.

It's an interesting area, my main point being "watch this space" - There'll soon be a plethora of choices, so I wouldn't rush

I have seen a few comments about Naim not making a browser based control interface. If they're not already, will they be making one?? Perhaps something with cross-platform compatibility such as Java would be nice?

Perhaps they could make a nice small Android based tablet device themselves, primarily designed to cater for the remote control of their streaming range of course, but with the added "web" benefits of the browsing for, purchase of and download of your music straight into your streaming setup - all from the "remote control" - now there's a thought!

(Or does their Mac based software already do this? (I don't know much about it))

> I only mend Windows machines, not use them 

You must be very busy 

I thought of doing the same with Apple systems, but found I couldn't make a living with 1 day's work a year. Why does anybody buy a Windows computer these days? (OK I understand if you are games player, but isn't a Nintendo, XBox or Play Station better - I don't know)? Everybody I know uses an iPAD or iPhone. I think Windows 8 will be a big flop - companies like IBM and HP have left all this behind and moved on. Google may become a big player; I like the Chrome browser. 

I agree everything is web based now or becoming that way. 

I think Naim needs a browser based solution - a Windows based desktop client is useless to me as I can't run the thing so I have avoided some Naim products that would have otherwise interested me. Sonus seems to have apps for legacy Windows and OS X systems as well as for modern devices and they all work wonderfully well. I wonder if Naim could work with such a company. 

More iPADs for me then 

All the best, Guy

How rude!

Frank

I didn't mean to offend - apologies if my humour was a little off. 

I still think you'd be much better off with an IPAD - they are superb. 

All the best, Guy 

Whilst I have to agree with Guido about the iPad/iPod for the user interface,  if you do want to use windows I would suggest trying (now this may be heresy, but here goes) Linn's control point software (Kinsky). 

It's funny but I remember them being berated on the Linn forum for only providing windows control point by the Apple fans.

I have used it to successfully control upnp on a unitiqute,  and the kids use to to control renderers on their PC's very successfully.

I believe it was designed with touch screen/tablet in mind.

D

Screw the tablet and get a laptop if you need a keyboard.  Then you can run proper Windows and use ANYTHING you want for a UPNP Server.

JRMC or Foobar come to mind as wonderful players that also have good upnp servers bundled in.

-p

See, there's your problem right there - A business model repairing machines that hardly ever need repairing is bound to fail

Stick to something that's inherently broken in the first place and you'll have lots of work!

(All tongue in cheek, folks!)

Seriously though,the small IT business targeting home users has gone nowadays. Every man and his dog jumped on it a few years ago. Anyone able to install Windows is an "expert"

Small business support can sustain a small IT company though, ime.

I totally agree about vendors "moving on" - I'm an Open Source advocate myself (equips self with flame-proof suit!)

Who was it that once said "The nicest thing about standards is that there's so many to choose from" !?

However, as previously agreed, things are going web based.

Soon, imho, the underlying OS will become irrelevant as everything becomes "web based" - companies (like MS) are slowly moving to the "software as a service" model. They will survive (and probably still dominate) through that business model. It's been on the cards for around 10 years now, though.....

The way MS have been quickly buying up IP on *nix software shows where it's heading, imho. A stripped down OS with browser, media player and a few other pieces - the rest will be services provided online.

As for "Why does anybody buy a Windows computer these days?" MS will remain dominant for a while yet, simply because of their present dominance in the business world - remember, people may not care too much about the OS any more, but they still need their software programs to run! In the business world this is a long term development "investment" Software vendors are slow to adopt/move to new markets.

And, at the end of the day, people want familiarity - they are used to Windows at work, so it's the easiest option to choose for use at home. Historically, the licensing deals (read: tactics) of MS with OEM's have ensured proliferation on home machines for many years.

But it is changing slowly. Very good, real alternatives are appearing now.

Search around for companies that have dumped Windows in the last few years. There's a *lot* of them. Many Governments, large corporations like IBM, car manufacturers, or the London Stock Exchange, for example.

Google won't compete in OS terms (other than mobile) but rather on online service provision and data collection/sale

It was a shame to see their search engine slowly become a covert marketing machine, watching for and targeting potential customers, through their web habits. It has to remain profitable, I know, but it is rather invasive, quietly, under the hood.

MS will no longer compete in OS terms, at least not as their main business model. The "software as a service" (SaaS) is where the money will be

All IMHO, of course

Guido, I took your comments as tongue in cheek anyway

I hope Frank will see that way now...

Anyway, I/we are hijacking his thread now - please accept my apologies, Frank......

Quick exchange of views over. I'm off to put the kettle on

Guido, I took your comments as tongue in cheek anyway 

I hope Frank will see that way now...

Yes they were, Reality

I just don't understand the anti-Apple stance. I have worked with both MS & Apple on large scale projects and my choice is based on the way I was treated - two very different experiences. Apple were extremely courtesy and helpful. I think the iPAD is superb and find it hard to see how anybody would not want to use it in preference to a PC. I have to use a PC for my work and it is not something I enjoy at all: I use to really like my X-Terminal. At home I used an Amiga as my main computer, but have now gone 100% Apple (except for the Vortexbox) - I agree with you on Open Source: most of it runs nicely on OS X as a bonus. MS seems to be putting its business future on products like Lync and SharePoint where it comes head on against Cisco. Apple's penetration in to business is the iPhone (perhaps those with them buy them primarily to use as a control point for their UnitiQute - Naim wishes) - however, I see lots of executives using iPads to access ERP systems like SAP/R3 and simply don't have a need for a traditional OS like OS X, Windows or RHL. Of course, kids just use their iPhones - so that seems to me where we are heading: quite a positive move in my view.   

Sorry again Frank, for going off thread. I promise this is my final contribution to your threads and wish you the best of luck in finding your Control Point for your UQ.  

All the best, Guy

My android phone does not really creates any "integration" problem at home

1- connect to the router via Wi-fi with a simple user interface

2- connect to PC via USB cable as needed to exchange files (pictures or music).

I am sometimes using the Andromote application to control the Uniti. End of story.

Maybe a cheap tablet, like Archos is the way to go...

I am thinking: is there a way to emulate an Ipad on a PC: maybe we could use this tool to run nStream on a laptop?

There must be some development tool for the engineers... Naim engineers, please?