Actually, Zipatile is not a hub competitor to SmartThings. Zipato IoT platform could be considered as sort of competitive to SmartThings, but Zipatile is just an Android WallPad with bunch of sensors integrated inside, and running Zipato IoT agent by default. However, there are at least 3 ways to integrate Zipatile with SmartThings eco system:
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MQTT. Zipatile Internal application can be connected to Mosquito broker, and it will communicate all sensors, relays, buttons and gestures through this connection. Furthermore, SmartThings Android app can be installed and set as default application on Zipatile. Zipato IoT is not mandatory to be used, and in this case, it is not even to necessary to register Zipatile with Zipato, although this is free of charge and it will only provide few more options (see option 2 and 3).
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Z-wave. Zipatile can work as Z-wave secondary controller. This means that Zipatile can be included in SmartThings network as a secondary controller. In this case, Zipatile will communicate all built in sensors statuses, gestures, buttons, and relays to SmartThings hub. Of course, again SmartThings Android application can be installed on Zipatile as the default one, and run the whole SmartThings installation.
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REST API. Once register the Zipatile with Zipato IoT platform, REST API is available for interconnecting with any third party system. This way of integration requires more work, but it allows integration of not only built in hardware devices, but also all Zipato virtual devices such as fully featured Security system, Thermostat, Rule Creator etc…
Additionally, registration of Zipatile with Zipato allows some basic integration by using the whole set of Zipato virtual devices (virtual sensor, virtual meter, virtual switch…). This is the easiest way as it can be done through graphical user interface, but it is not as powerful as other 3 options mentioned above.
Of course, installation of SmartThings Android application is recommended in any of these options since this way, user can use Zipatile for controlling the whole system.
In general, Zipatile is running Zipato android applications by default, but it can be used as a multifunctional smart device with any other home automation eco system, and run any other Android application which is necessary for better user experience.