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I tested Homey Dashboards on BlueStacks this weekend. The setup is, of course, a bit hacky and has some quirks, but it seems to work quite well.

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The complete setup:

Software:

Homey:

I’ve created the following powershell scripts:

  • Start BlueStacks with Homey
  • Start the screensaver
  • Stop the screensaver
  • Turn the screen off
  • Turn the screen on

Starting Homey is done via the Windows Task Scheduler that runs when the Kiosk user (automatically) logs in. BlueStacks has the option to automatically maximize the Homey app on startup.

The other scripts are manually started via the Windows Task Scheduler. I am using SSH to trigger these tasks, e.g. when the presence or zone activity state changes. I am turning off the power of the display during inactivity via the HomeWizard smart plug.

I am logged into Homey with my own account, patiently waiting for the feature that @Emile mentioned (in the podcast, I believe), to be able to lock the dashboard with a PIN.

Why this “complex” setup? Because I could :smile:, and I was curious how this would work and what other options I may be able to introduce using this “computer” on the wall. Maybe I will eventually instead hang a tablet on the wall in the future.

Edit: For completeness, some of the downsides of this setup:

  • Overkill to just present a dashboard (would rather have a web interface :wink:)
    • With a web interface (dedicated dashboard URL) I may’ve been able to use the Windows Kiosk mode instead, or just a Raspberry Pi in kiosk mode
  • Requires 3 wires (Power, USB touchscreen cable, HDMI) to be pulled through the wall
  • Requires the mini PC to be placed in the closet behind the wall
  • Booting BlueStacks is paired with ads (there may be some unofficial ways to hide these)
  • Rarely, when the screen is powered on again the Homey app is not fully maximized (still figuring out why this is happening)
  • The screen is not flat mounted to the wall
  • Power consumption is a bit higher
  • Can’t use bluetooth to add new devices (Bluestacks doesn’t natively support direct access to the host machine’s hardware)
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