Rubikcube's Inverter Monitor App after the upcoming changes

I've read through some of the threads but haven't found the answer, will Rubikcube's (Excellent) Inverter Monitor App still work once the new subscription model is implemented?

I have a Gen 1 system and am on Octopus Cosy, so I use the app to automate my charging for each of the 3 off peak periods. My inverter is connected to my router via the wifi dongle and the Inverter Monitor app is on an old android phone also connected to the router via wifi. As everything is local, it should not be affected by the change right?

Now that I have that setup it's rare that I connect to the inverter using the GE app when out and about.

At the moment, if I need to reset the inverter, I do it via the dashboard in the GE cloud, how will I do that once the Cloud goes behind the paywall if I opt not to pay?

The Rubikcube app will not be affected as it doesn't use any GivEnergy APIs or Cloud infrastructure.

pwdst Thank you

Where can you obtain Rubikcube's app from out of interest.

Thanks in advance.

JOHN_ELEY
Google Play Store on phone

JOHN_ELEY

Google play store, it's called Moniter for givenergy inverter

Into the top 10 grossing in house & home (odd category?) so its starting to gain momentum.

Hopefully it becomes the default android "not-GE phone app" as we really don't need fragmentation in that sector.

iOS is the problem - and yeah I know about the issues regarding background use. I'd still like to see an app there from Andrew which drops the stats stuff but retains the controls/interface. It'd meet the needs of most people.

Its great to see this happening to an app he wrote for himself 🙂

Both the BBC iOS app on my ancient iPad and the Rubikube app on an Android tablet bought specifically for the app.

Tenkaykev Yes but AIUI its quite likely the "bbc basic inverter" app will be dropped from the iOS store in the near future. I'm not up on how easy it is to sideload apps on ios but its not something most people will do.

@Rubikcube

An idea for v4.6 whenever, but not urgent:

Default the datatable/stats page to 'Combined' if more than 1 inverter, or stick to last choice.

Everytime I go to it it's on my currently disconnected inverter

wrighar This APP just gets better and better....leaves all else in the dust (apart from those who prefer others! 🇧

Vestas
I have auto update switched off and I check to see which apps have updates available. I was surprised to see an update for the BBC Inverter App when I checked earlier today. I had thought it unlikely that it would get and further updates.

Just updated the app on my android 10 phone. Has worked perfectly up to now.
Now the app just says "No connection" at the top.
I have logged into my router and the IP address is correct.
I have another phone that has the app and that is displaying correctly and I have cross checked all the settings are the
same
Rebooted the phone - no change

SteveCook
Just updated on my "working" phone and that cannot find my inverter either.
I have logged into my router and can see my dongle IP address (reserved), but the phone app just passes it by when it does the search and when I manually enter the IP on the phone - still no data

SteveCook
Restarted the inverter and both phones now showing the data

SteveCook the old adage...."switch it off and on again"

SteveCook I think you have Home Assistant running too. Probably just overloaded the poor dongle.

Thanks, I have already loaded this to tablet and phone and works fine as stand alone app. Is there any other service that would run "online" or are they all dependant upon the give energy "API" premium service to work. I have used the Octopus R&D service for the last two years and this works fine for me but giv energy software already confirmed this would require the premium service to continue.

Vestas What is the reason for it being removed ?

Maxwell I read something (can't remember where) that the app didn't conform with some Apple "standards" and wasn't likely to be updated so it'd automatically be removed from the apple store.

Its been updated so maybe it conforms now? I don't use apple so don't keep track of what their demands are for apps to be included on their store.

This may sound ridiculous, but I lost connection a couple of days ago, so eventually I checked the inverter IPS, only to discovery the the last 3 digits had changed from 105 to 108. When I entered the new IPS the app worked again.
This was not a mistake on my part, as I wrote IPS down correctly when I found it in the first place.
The Givenergy app continued to work normally all the time

IW I checked the inverter IPS, only to discovery the the last 3 digits had changed from 105 to 108.

Do you mean IP address? If so, unless you have allocated a static IP address to the inverter, it will change periodically by the router (I'm not an expert, but soemthing like the DCHP lease expires and then gets renewed)

If this is the IP address then best practice is to reserve the IP address for the Inverter so that it always gets the same one. This is normally done in the control panel and/or app for your router.
Reserving the address means that any reboots of either the inverter or router won't result in a different address being allocated, and won't require reconfiguration of apps and tools.
The IP address allocated on your internal network has nothing to do with GivEnergy, it is entirely down to your router.

Yes, sorry I did mean IP address. I haven't allocated anything, just used the number that came up on the search, not having much knowledge in this area.
I did power down the router though, so that might have been the problem.

IW I did power down the router though, so that might have been the problem

Almost certainly.
If you research address reservation on your specific model of router then you should be able to restart it to your heart's content without seeing this problem again. Unless you have a good understanding of networking then I would strongly recommend reserving the address already allocated.
As an aside though, if you don't have a full fibre/FTTP service frequent restarts can lead the equipment to think you have a fault on your line and reduce the speed to compensate. So keep this to no more than one a day or when you are trying to resolve problems.

pwdst If you're referring to VDSL2 services (FTTC) in the UK then it doesn't work that way & hasn't for a long time (2015 at least).

Rebooting the router or the router losing power isn't classed as a resync by the DLM which Openreach use because it doesn't disconnect the same way as a loss of sync does. Basically the router sends what's called a "dying gasp message" to the DLM which indicates a loss of power or a forced local reset in progress.

Maxwell Being removed as it doesn't comply with apples requirement for Apps to not remain active constantly.

wrighar And how is that different from the GivEnergy app ?

Maxwell Unsure:

wrighar That sounds familiar. I don't normally pay attention to apple stuff but I noticed someone mention that elsewhere 🙂

I guess he pushed the last update while he could, given the above was written before GE filed for admin.

IW Information about address reservation here
https://givenergymonitor.co.uk/connecting.html

wrighar Will be real pity if it gets pulled from the Apple Store from an aesthetic perspective. Although a quick copilot search says Liquid Glass isn’t mandated as an Apple Store must have.

SteveCook

I heard about and installed this back in Feb after the enshitification of the webportal and huge chunks of data were missing... literally days of data for jan and feb wiped... and data for the previous year... 'adjusted and changed' for some reason... I compared it to the screenshots and data I log each month.

I paid for the app a few weeks later and rarely ever use the 'official one now... only when away from home and want to monitor it live.

Worth £10 anytime... and if GE had done that instead of trying to fleece us for £60 a year with the bait and switch bullshit that would go up each year by £1-2... I'd have actually bough an app from them if it was a functional and accurate as rubiks.

Rubikcube How can I purchase your app without Google?
Google asks me to provide government ID to pay £10 for your app. I won't be doing that!

bRhFDKtjRMK9 That's odd. I thought people could just pay with a bank or credit card. Maybe someone who has bought it can say how they did it.

Rubikcube Google Play is tied to main Google account. I've changed my name there so my full surname is not displayed on youtube. And now they demand my government ID to make Google Play purchase.
I'd love to pay you privately for the app, please let me know how can I contact you for this.

It's not particularly this app, it's probably for all purchases on Google. They are being forced to verify the Google account, I had to verify mine when I set up a new account recently, including a selfie. Once the Google account is verified you can purchase via your credit card.

Rubikcube Is there a way to contact you regarding app purchase?

Can you buy Google Play Gift cards still?

hoggy I am not going to try a gift card. If I do and won't be able to spend it on my account, that's money wasted. Don't know anyone who wants a Google gift card!

It seems Rubikcube is not interested to facilitate sales outside of US-based Alphabet Inc. (Google), so he may lose a sale here.

I've updated GivEnergy app on Android, I have LAN access to my settings, I can change vital setting via the GivEnergy app, so it seems that I may not be needing Rubikcube app after all.

bRhFDKtjRMK9

Currently I don't have a mechanism for enabling the premium functions outside of the Google in-app purchase process.

I didn't write the app as a money making endeavour, and when I started developing it, I didn't expect GivEnergy to go bust (so soon). The purchase option is my way of protecting against misuse of my app, and also a way for people to say thank you if the app helps them.

I am one person who does this part time as a bit of a hobby. GivEnergy had several full-time staff, so they should have been able to write a much better app than mine. If they had done their job properly, my app would never have existed.

As for Google, what they have started doing since last year with Identity Verification is so wrong. Google is passing responsibility for fraud onto customers and developers.

Rubikcube I, for one, am very grateful for your efforts. Your app means that at this time I can manage my GE system without the need for the GE subscription. I paid the in-app charge a year or so ago, and I'm very glad I did, as a small token of appreciation and for the extra functionality.

bRhFDKtjRMK9 It seems Rubikcube is not interested to facilitate sales outside of US-based Alphabet Inc. (Google), so he may lose a sale here.

🙄 Some people...

bRhFDKtjRMK9 It seems Rubikcube is not interested to facilitate sales outside of US-based Alphabet Inc. (Google), so he may lose a sale here.

It's a free world - I am sure there are other options out there.... oh wait - there is the GE app premium available 😕

M_J 🙄 Some people...

My words are 100% true. Even if I wanted to, I cannot make a purchase.
I refuse to provide my government ID to Google, just as I refuse to give it to Microsoft or other U.S. corporations (where I can avoid it, I will).
Rubikcube bootstrapped his free-time hobby app using Google’s platform without ever exploring alternative publishing methods. He doesn’t even provide a contact method—on his website, forum, or here. Since I can’t reach him privately, I’m left with no choice but to comment here.
I’m locked out of purchasing his app. I’d happily contribute a tenner, but there’s no way for me to do so.

bRhFDKtjRMK9 You can purchase you choose not to for your own reasons and that is fine you are free to pay or not as you wish. That is your right.

But rights work in all ways Rubicube is within his rights to provide the app and any payments how he wishes to do so.

It just so happens that your and his wishes do not coincide to help you. None of us are the centre of the universe and it or others need not conform to please us.

bRhFDKtjRMK9 oh do stop moaning. Find another solution and move on.

bRhFDKtjRMK9

As Rubikcude has stated on a thread on this Forum, he's probably about a year away from have alternate payments methods being available and working.

killythebid I am not pretending to be in the centre of the universe, get real, lol.
I am just saying how it is
Developer wants the easy way
and I want the private way - not submitting my data to google, thanks very much.
End of story.

TX200 Already found it - GivEnergy own app allows local control from Android app. I have read only scripts to show me battery stats, like this:

Everything what I need is already there. I tried to support independent developer, but I won't be breaking my legs trying.

TX200 Ever felt we need a "Don't like" button? 🙂

wrefordj or a don't care button 😁

bRhFDKtjRMK9 I said none of us are I did not single you out. I do not know why you are making such a fuss about nothing, and a situation which is of your own making and choice.

Or a bugger off button

Handbags at ten paces guys 😉

Nobody likes Google. If you do then its because you don't know what they are. I've had commercial dealings with them on and off since 2003. They are not the same company now, and are the polar opposite of their "don't be evil" mantra from back then. There are times recently I thought I was dealing with Oracle.

So @Rubikcube doesn't like them any more than me by the sounds of things and @bRhFDKtjRMK9 thinks much the same but wants change now.

We're all on the same page except for payment methods, which @Rubikcube has already said he'd like to change.

Handbags down ladies 😉

Vestas Yes, "don't be evil" disappeared long ago.

Android phones appeared in 2008 along with the iPhone, before that Nokia was king.

I started developing android apps in 2011 and the first app I worked on involved a map. At that time Google maps was free. I got a free API key and started developing on the assumption that maps would be free forever. Then in 2015 Google decided to make maps a subscription service. Most people are surprised to learn Google maps is a subscription service, because Google charges app developers not the end users.

https://mapsplatform.google.com/pricing/#pay-as-you-go

An app gets 10k free calls per month, then the charges kick in. I had about 100 people using my app and was well below the 10k limit. But an app with 1,000 users who use it 2 or 3 times a week will be hitting the free limit. And that can suddenly happen when an app goes viral, a sudden surge of popularity and the developer gets a big bill.
Google's answer is in-app advertising or subscriptions. I wasn't happy with those options, so I unpublished the app. That removes the listing from the Play Store, but still allows existing users to get updates. The app still exists and I have 8 active users left. Haven't done any updates since 2017. Four year's of work largely wasted because someone decided to charge for something that was free.
Eleven years later it has totally backfired, Google hardly makes any income from maps subscriptions. All the major fitness and tracking apps use their own maps, even what3words. Major web sites like The Ramblers use Open Street Map because Google is too expensive.

Recounting because of the parallel with what GE are doing. Their subscription based service is doomed. History will always repeat itself.

Vestas Handbags down ladies

{dances round handbags} Turn the music up so we can drown out the noise!

Rubikcube
Sorry that you have such a terrible partner to work with.
I am glad I am not Android developer to have to deal with this.
Majority if not all of big corporations show psychopathic behaviour. Google is not an exception.

There's an entire documentary about this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v8e7dUwq_Q

We seem to have our own "Mr Angry" here. Please go away and haunt some other thread will you. We are not interested in your none conformist agenda.

When you get to the age of most of us on here, you become less concerned about the ways of the world and how it is run.

We are just thankful that we wake up tomorrow and have at least one more day to enjoy what we see as precious in life. Life is too short to be angry over everything. You will find out one day. 🫣

duplada You have the right to not care about your privacy online or how your data is used. You can be a happy consumer, a lifelong Microsoft, Meta or Google user, that’s your choice. A modern slave.

Thanks for sharing!

bRhFDKtjRMK9 Touched a nerve have we , oh dear don't you realise you are making a fool of yourself. Only someone like you would set their username as such., have an nice day you opinionated twerp. 😆

Where’s my tinfoil hat?

duplada Not at all, you can keep going, it’s fine. I see only one fool here, and it’s not me. The fool I see is happy to submit their data to corporations and even pay for the privilege.
You said:
"When you get to the age of most of us on here, you become less concerned."
Did you mean you’ve grown lazy? Too tired? Accepted modern slave lifestyle? Which is it? 😉

duplada Only someone like you would set their username as such

Said the guy with a meaningless nickname.
Friend, go outside, get some fresh air, and think twice before attacking a random person on the internet.

Hint: The person you’re attacking doesn’t care about you or your opinions.

bRhFDKtjRMK9 you care enough to keep replying. Go back to your prepers dug out loser.

duplada Fucks sakes can you guys not give it a rest?

bRhFDKtjRMK9

I understand that you are dissatisfied with the payment method. It is highly unlikely to change, as you have been told by the author, so do not buy it and move on.
Stop polluting the thread for interested users please.

Vestas Well that was fun I won't reply again. THE NSA has so much data collected on all of us since 9/11 attempting to have your own little crusade 15 years later is pointless. I know it takes all sorts and I generally do not object to how people want to live their lives but I object to hearing the same mantra over and over again, which we have on this thread Over the last few days. I respect the posters point of view but not his constant doctrine of expecting everyone to agree with him. The next thing you have is a cult where the disciples follow one set of rules and the leader carries on regardless. History show this happening time and again.

Vestas You do not have to swear and comment either.

killythebid I felt swearing was appropriate given the thread had calmed down until the two of them decided to go at it again for no reason other than epeen AFAICT. We have enough random crap in the forums without two long-standing members deciding to have a scrap.

Apologies if it offended, but if the words did then you live a sheltered (and maybe better) life 🙂

duplada THE NSA has so much data collected on all of us since 9/11

Oracle came from Clinton's desire for the Clipper chip.

Google came from semantic forests - a NSA project which resulted in a radical change in policy.

In 1996 the NSA used more power than Leicester.

Started a long time before most of you had even heard of the internet and will never stop.

I'm not sure why you're arguing frankly?

I stated why above I won't be posting on any of these forums again.

Vestas You have no idea what life I have lived. It is good to keep things civil without profanity.

I agree, though there is a lot of repeated rubbish being posted. Still, I guess in some ways it is a result of the confusion people are waking up to now, the effects of Givenergy in administration are beginning to be felt, and people feel stranded.

DFTT!

I will just say this before I leave, it doesn't matter which thread you are on @Vestas will stick his nose in trying to impose his superior knowledge usually highlighting various quotes etc. Just for the record I have no social media accounts whatsoever so I don't need advice about keeping things private. I came on here to help other Dual AIO users with my experience. I helped Andew Miller by allowing him to interigate my system. I have a PHD so I am not thick and I am self made millionaire. I really don't need this goodbye.

duplada it doesn't matter which thread you are on @Vestas will stick his nose in

Sorry you feel that way.

bRhFDKtjRMK9 gift voucher / gift card worked fine for me, it's also on the Aurora store which is a google play store alternative