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A step back, a step forward, a step where?
If you look at both the new upcoming Neptune Apex or the Fishbit, it seems controller technology is evolving into sleek devices, that take up minimal room near the aquarium and interface with a tablet or smart phone wirelessly. While Neptune’s new Apex is backward compatible with previous displays, the unit is fully functional using only the phone you carry around in your pocket. The same can be said about the Fishbit, which uses a cloud service to graphically interface with and control the device. While cloud control isn’t always the optimal route when investing in technology that demands ironclad reliability, it makes for simplified devices that don’t take up near as much room to mount and utilizes devices aquarists already have (their phone or tablet) for advanced control. While both Fishbit and the new Apex take up little more space than a surge protector, the Cerebra is designed more in-line with a small game console.
It’s a bulky black box, equipped with a large full-color touch screen and cooling fans. The controller main-unit is the brain-center of Vertex’s new control ecosystem, and is connected to various probes and sensors along with a power-bar, which sports a black and transparent finish. Neither the power bar or main-unit look like they belong in the same room as saltwater. You can see that in physical design, the Cerebra may not have fully evolved during its six years of development. It just doesn’t fit in an age of sleek, thin, lightweight smart devices.
Android, on an aquarium controller?
Android is a popular mobile OS, constantly sparring with Apple’s iOS as the king of mobile control. Google reports that upwards of 1.3 million Android devices are sold every day, making it both the most popular mobile OS in the world, but also the most popular OS in general. Based around a Linux kernel, Android can accomplish a whole host of processes, but is best served managing communication, web content and media. While other devices (such as wi-fi controlled drones) use Android as an operating system, it’s normally behind the wheel of all-purpose smart devices.
Using Android as the OS on an aquarium controller on one hand, makes a lot of sense. On the other, it raises some important questions. One, Android is prone to bloat ware, spyware, viruses and other maladies that degrade both software and hardware performance, and can be tough for non-tech savvy members of the public to diagnose and correct. It’s been noted by tech insiders that Android is far more vulnerable to security threats compared to Apple’s iOS, or third party device only operating systems. This is because the Android market (Google Play Store) is not nearly as regulated as Apple’s iOS market and programmers have a long leash by which to engineer malicious software. Does this mean that an Android based aquarium controller is vulnerable to an attack that could cause it to wipe out your tank? I guess time will tell.
Vertex has already reached out to product manufacturers asking that they consider making Android applications that allow their products to synchronize with Cerebra, calling this an Open Source movement that will redefine aquarium technology. They specifically call out Neptune Systems in this regard, referencing the fact that Cerebra will not require dedicated modules (as the Apex does) in order to offer support of third-party products. However, this is not true Open Source. An Open Source OS (like Linux) makes its base source code (and the code of various programs) available online, so that a programmer can download it and essentially re-write it however they see fit. If Cerebra was truly Open Source, it would be quite possible for someone to entirely re-write the operating system, and even offer it for download to other users.
What Vertex is referring to, is product manufacture’s ability to design an Android app allowing their products to work with Cerebra. How this will work, is an unknown. Will users have a host of different applications that work independently or in conjunction with Cerebra, or will Cerebra manage each of these applications internally, and report via the cloud back to a mobile device? If it works like other smart devices (such as security cameras, light bulbs and thermostats) then it’s possible there will be a lot of handing off, syncing with Cerebra then updating a mobile dashboard. All in all, it would likely test the reliability of the devices, the OS and Cerebra. Anyone with experience using smart devices and Android, knows that reliability could be better. That doesn’t mean the Cerebra will be unreliable, but it begs further questions about what Vertex is doing to ensure a seamless software experience for Cerebra users, while also ensuring the controller does what it’s programmed to do. Will they offer an exclusive app store, that is managed like the Apple iOS store, where Vertex sets the requirements for Cerebra apps and tests programs before allowing public download? Or will it be a free for all system like the Google Play store, where anyone can use web-based programs to create apps and many do little more than offer an outlet for advertising products, bloating our smartphones and aquarium controller with annoying spam? It’s hard to think that Vertex has resources akin to Apple, Google or even Occulus to manage such a complex, diverse software sharing system. Bright colorful touchscreens are always nice, but they’re also expensive, certainly a departure from the simplicity is better mentality of controllers past, and what appears to be the trend moving forward.
Many aquarists already are shelling out a monthly payment (or a pricey up-front payment) on a high resolution touch screen (a phone or tablet) and might pause before shelling out a lot more for one dedicated to controlling their aquarium.
An app store, internet browsing, multimedia; on your controller:
Some cool features?
So far, in the realm of actually monitoring and controlling aquarium products, Vertex has announced some interesting features. One, the temperature probe has an LED light on it, which indicates whether or not temperature is in range. Why this needed, when you have a full color HD screen to determine that, is beyond me. Aside from that, everything else is pretty standard when compared to other next-generation controllers. Features include LED lights which report the status of the outlets and both optical and float switch level sensors.
Some room for concern:
I’ve used Vertex’s Omega skimmers for quite some time, and find them to be simple, efficient and displaying high quality craftsmanship. Part of that is thanks to Sicce, who custom designed the pump and volute implemented by Omega skimmers. However, Vertex’s other electronic products have left quite a bit to be desired, in my personal experience. I’ve had nothing but trouble with their Omega skimmer neck cleaner, which retails for an eye watering $ 299.99. For that price you could buy a nice skimmer, depending on your tank’s size. The first neck cleaner I received actually broke while unpacking it. The shaft that spins the rubber scraper 360 degrees is seemingly glued into the motor that turns, and snapped loose under the simple pressure of removing it from the package.
While the replacement I was sent stayed together, its performance leaves a lot to be desired. Often the scraper stops spinning, making the neck cleaner only useful for short bursts of cleaning. All in all, it’s more of a frustration than a real asset. Now, the acrylic pieces that hold titanium screws (used to secure the collection cup cap holding the motor) are popping off one by one, again seemingly super-glued into place.
Vertex’s own Libra automatic dosing pump is another example of a bulky device, that doesn’t live up to expectations. I used a Libra for over a year, after shelling out a draw dropping $ 500.00 on it. My old Bubble Magus dosing pump was easier to program and overall more reliable, so I disbanded use of the Libra.
Final Thoughts:
Vertex sets themselves apart from other companies with unique designs so don’t think I am not excited about the prospect of their new, high powered controller. The arena needs more competition, and it looks like later this year, it will certainly get it. I am just skeptical as to why Vertex decided to implement a powerful (yet complex) umbrella operating system on a specialized device. Offering features an aquarist doesn’t need may sound cool on paper, but it adds more complexity (and likely cost) to the device and could degrade reliability. It certainly is a dramatic departure from other controllers debuting on the market this year.
While an app store sounds interesting, Vertex will have to work double time (investing a slew of resources) to monitor the apps being offered, to ensure aquarists aren’t constantly barraged with half-rate apps that don’t perform and cost money. Given Android’s penchant for “anyone can do it” apps and serious bloatware, it may not be the best option for an aquarium controller, which can make or break a tank’s stability. Compile these concerns with (at least in my humble opinion) Vertex’s less than stellar electronic device offerings, and there is plenty of reason to raise an eyebrow about Cerebra. Somehow in both appearance and potential, the Cerebra smells a bit like Next Computer’s cube. A sleek black box full of nothing but high cost, and supreme disappointment.
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Same can be said about the tablet industry. 
