Challenge: Control All Your Devices with the iPhone Starting at Under $99

[Cleverboy]

Check out the front page story. This could be it...

Mm. I don't have a good feeling about that. It all smells wrong. I have no doubt that Apple could release a universal touchscreen remote for $159 though (very little memory, WiFi/IR only). It just seems like a waste of an opportunity and a retread of the existing model of business for the remote control business.

~ CB

 

[ViViDboarder]

Yeah holding an iphone upside down is a big problem with all the keys it has. The dock connector is bi-directional and is a better option.

I'm not real keen on anything that requires line of sight to work. If you couldn't use wifi the an RF transmitting dongle for the dock that controls a stationary unit would be the way to go.

Apple... if any of your employees are reading this text... they will become hypnotized and will badger their managers until this product is in the pipeline (or they are fired). I have laced this text with subliminal commands, and have included screenshots to insure that my wishes are carried out in explicit detail. This... I command!

~ CB

I understand you're concepts I just think that the major flaw is having to connect a device to your phone or turn on and off bluetooth.

Think about it... If you want to use your iPhone as a remote you probably just want to open an app... Not go get the remote thing to plug in. Might as well just grab your real remote.

There is a purely software solution that can be made... RedEye like devices are USB IR emitters. You can hook one up to computer that is near your devices you want to control. Then, just like the Apple Remote for iTunes, you can connect to the computer via WIFI in app and then issue commands. You just have to have a small application running on the computer.

It would be simpler to distribute as there is no custom hardware that needs to be made or sold thus making this a software solution.

Also, the advantage of Wifi over BT is that most people use WIFI in their homes anyways. Also there is a significant range advantage.

 

[Cleverboy]

I understand you're concepts I just think that the major flaw is having to connect a device to your phone or turn on and off bluetooth.

Think about it... If you want to use your iPhone as a remote you probably just want to open an app... Not go get the remote thing to plug in. Might as well just grab your real remote.

There is a purely software solution that can be made... RedEye like devices are USB IR emitters. You can hook one up to computer that is near your devices you want to control. Then, just like the Apple Remote for iTunes, you can connect to the computer via WIFI in app and then issue commands. You just have to have a small application running on the computer.

It would be simpler to distribute as there is no custom hardware that needs to be made or sold thus making this a software solution.

Also, the advantage of Wifi over BT is that most people use WIFI in their homes anyways. Also there is a significant range advantage.

Requiring the computer to sit next to the emitter would be a serious mistake. I agree howeer, that whether its WiFi or Bluetooth... they each have their flaws and advantages. In a perfect world, support both and let the consumer decide by having them both operate the same way. Many people keep Bluetooth ON simply to use it to answer the phone.

Scroll back and check my screenshot to see my mockup of how it could appear in the Remote iPhone app and the interface.

~ CB

 

[ViViDboarder]

Requiring the computer to sit next to the emitter would be a serious mistake. I agree howeer, that whether its WiFi or Bluetooth... they each have their flaws and advantages. In a perfect world, support both and let the consumer decide by having them both operate the same way. Many people keep Bluetooth ON simply to use it to answer the phone.

Scroll back and check my screenshot to see my mockup of how it could appear in the Remote iPhone app and the interface.

~ CB

That was a good mockup. Evidently there is a market for a few options Bluetooth, Wifi, Server. Bring on the devs!

 

[TMar]

I understand you're concepts I just think that the major flaw is having to connect a device to your phone or turn on and off bluetooth.

Think about it... If you want to use your iPhone as a remote you probably just want to open an app... Not go get the remote thing to plug in. Might as well just grab your real remote.

There is a purely software solution that can be made... RedEye like devices are USB IR emitters. You can hook one up to computer that is near your devices you want to control. Then, just like the Apple Remote for iTunes, you can connect to the computer via WIFI in app and then issue commands. You just have to have a small application running on the computer.

It would be simpler to distribute as there is no custom hardware that needs to be made or sold thus making this a software solution.

Also, the advantage of Wifi over BT is that most people use WIFI in their homes anyways. Also there is a significant range advantage.

Where you the one not pushing for the headphone/IR device? I said I would much rather have a device that works on wifi, but if you needed on dongle to get it to work I would much rather have one that connects via the dock. I would not buy any device that requires line of sight.

 

[ViViDboarder]

Where you the one not pushing for the headphone/IR device? I said I would much rather have a device that works on wifi, but if you needed on dongle to get it to work I would much rather have one that connects via the dock. I would not buy any device that requires line of sight.

Haha. Yea. I just thought I'd rather buy a cheap IR thing for the headphone jack rather than a dock dongle. But that's just me. I'd prefer wifi like you.

 

[aerodoc]

Just to be sure, but everyone has considered items like this right?

http://www.universalremote.com/pro/products.php

I can control everything via RF so no line of sight is needed and it is all programmed on a computer. Have you guys looked at remotecentral.com and avforums as well?

I use a professional level remote, but also use the apps "air mouse" and "remote" by apple on my older 3G (dedicated to my home theater). It is really nice to be able to used the keyboard and mouse on my iphone to control my HTPC, but overall there is still no substitute for hard buttons.

Hard buttons are tremendously useful in the dark and much quicker than a touch screen since you don't have to look at them. They are done by feel. There was a movement to go to touch screens with the older Sony, etc. but most of those died out in place of hard buttons/LCD combo remotes since it is a better approach for many users (at least my opinion and many of those on remotecentral). I have been a member there for several years.

That said, I like the idea of using the idea, but I think heavy use of swipe functions (something like fluxtunes does), would be necessary before I would ever want to go away from a true high end hard button universal remote.

What is the main reason to with the all iphone route? I am always looking to push the edge of technology, but only if it makes sense.

 

[Cleverboy]

I use a professional level remote, but also use the apps "air mouse" and "remote" by apple on my older 3G (dedicated to my home theater). It is really nice to be able to used the keyboard and mouse on my iphone to control my HTPC, but overall there is still no substitute for hard buttons.

Hard buttons are tremendously useful in the dark and much quicker than a touch screen since you don't have to look at them. They are done by feel. There was a movement to go to touch screens with the older Sony, etc. but most of those died out in place of hard buttons/LCD combo remotes since it is a better approach for many users (at least my opinion and many of those on remotecentral). I have been a member there for several years.

So, this thread is predicated on two things. I (personally) would like an iPhone solution that controls EVERYTHING for under $99 (under $99 over the cost of the controller... an iPhone/iPod Touch, etc). You could probably chop out either of these two criteria and I'd be impressed... but finding a MUCH more expensive solution that doesn't make use of the world's first consumer multitouch platform? That's Oh for Two, and pretty much the status quo.

There are an enormous amount of solutions that start at over $100 and use push-button remotes that appeal to geeks. I purchased a Harmony remote and it took me a couple of months to realize I truly hated it. Why? It fails in a couple of arenas. I've handed my wife my iPhone equiped with the "Remote" app, and she's happily and easily controlled our music library. I've handed her my Harmony and its always been a non-starter. Secondly, I DO NOT want a remote that cannot glean information updates for itself. I want a smart device that can take on any number of tasks without breaking a sweat.

I'm on my 3rd iPhone. My original iPhone is now an "extra", while my second 3G is now used by my wife. With the arrival of the 3rd gen iPod Touch, anyone can get 1st gen iPod Touches for under $100. We're going to quickly reach a point where obtaining these devices will be VERY cheap and economic... and MULTIPURPOSE. You can't say the same of anything else out there.

So... if you can get an IR remote base-station for under $99 that talks to the iPhone OS lowest-common denominator platform... awesome. If it requires Bluetooth (2nd gen iPhone Touch or 1st gen iPhone), then that's workeable too.

The more I hear though, the more I think this solution is on the way... one way, or another. I'd just as soon have the most perfect scenario imaginable.

~ CB

 

[Cleverboy]

Ok. Complete with their new base station by ThinkFlood, RedEye has closed the circuit with an end-to-end solution. It would have been great if this was under $99 (as the thread title challenges), but there is really little financial incentive not to charge what the market will bare (the basestation cosgs $188). I'm not sure how simple it is to use in practice, but... conceptually, this is EXACTLY what I was thinking when referencing the Apple base station solution earlier. Right down to Wifi control, rooms, iPod charger, Internet connected code library, and infra-red learning. --And best of all, the APP is free to test out.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/redeye-turns-your-iphone-and-ipod-touch-into-bona-fide-universal/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEF1hkGAMM4&feature=player_embedded

Good job. Again though... hopefully this is NOT their COST, and they're ramping up production and recouping expenses with the high price. Then, in 4-5 months (Apr-May), they introduce a $99 version 2.0 and kill this category properly.

~ CB

 

[ViViDboarder]

Ok. Complete with their new base station by ThinkFlood, RedEye has closed the circuit with an end-to-end solution. It would have been great if this was under $99 (as the thread title challenges), but there is really little financial incentive not to charge what the market will bare (the basestation cosgs $188). I'm not sure how simple it is to use in practice, but... conceptually, this is EXACTLY what I was thinking when referencing the Apple base station solution earlier. Right down to Wifi control, rooms, iPod charger, Internet connected code library, and infra-red learning. --And best of all, the APP is free to test out.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/redeye-turns-your-iphone-and-ipod-touch-into-bona-fide-universal/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEF1hkGAMM4&feature=player_embedded

Good job. Again though... hopefully this is NOT their COST, and they're ramping up production and recouping expenses with the high price. Then, in 4-5 months (Apr-May), they introduce a $99 version 2.0 and kill this category properly.

~ CB

Cool, that's almost exactly what I thought of, haha.

I'm still pulling for a cheap homebrew solution using a cheap IR blaster. Could even just be a web-app that you host on your home computer (server) that you can issue commands that it sends out on the IR blaster. My desktop doesn't have a good line of site for that though so I probably won't pursue, but anyone with a HTPC will be able to use this for sure.

 

[Cleverboy]

Cool, that's almost exactly what I thought of, haha.

I'm still pulling for a cheap homebrew solution using a cheap IR blaster. Could even just be a web-app that you host on your home computer (server) that you can issue commands that it sends out on the IR blaster. My desktop doesn't have a good line of site for that though so I probably won't pursue, but anyone with a HTPC will be able to use this for sure.

It's clearly not rocket science, because I think a lot of us like-minds think the same. I was just blabbing to a friend on the phone about what I think should happen (still).

MY VISION (in 5 steps):

Step #1. Apple should consider the home-automation market.

Step #2. Apple should BUY RedEye (if for no other reason than to eliminate any possible bad vibes from entering into the same market and doing an arguably "rip-off" solution).

Step #3. Apple should add WiFi capability to its Universal Dock, allowing it to perform ALL the hardware functions of the RedEye base station (possibly adding optimizations to radically smooth over the set-up process by allow the device to get set-up using a 30-pin accessory-aware application), while only charging $59 for it (using its existing production infrastructure for the Universal Dock, taking a cut in its normal margin to promote the platform).

Step #4. Apple should upgrade their "Remote" app to do what the RedEye app does, "hiding" the functionality through design for those not needing it.

Step #5. Apple should add home-automation as a MobileMe service, using networked Internet connected base stations, allowing people to control their home's devices from a web browser and their phone from anywhere (Apple already takes pride in the car starting ZipCar app, with their commercial).

If Apple CHOSE to do the 5 steps above, it would make their devices even MORE desireable... gaining the type of infrastructure headstart, that NO ONE will be able to catch EVER. There will be people that moan "its been done before", but they will very quickly be drowned out by the clamor of those who wish to simplify their lives by leaps and bounds.

~ CB

 

[Cleverboy]

And, 6-7 months later and we have ignition.

$9.99. It took a little while for the iPhone to get the equivalent of the "TotalRemote", but finally, here we finally are.

http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2010/07/13/what-can-10-buy-you-a-universal-remote-for-your-iphone/

http://www.macnn.com/articles/10/10/08/hardware.software.combo.includes.program.guide/
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-tv-remote/id351451688?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-tv-remote-two-in-a-box/id390049681?mt=8

Pretty cool. Probably other posts out there, but though I'd complete these one.

~ CB

 

[Jessica Lares]

And, 6-7 months later and we have ignition.

$9.99. It took a little while for the iPhone to get the equivalent of the "TotalRemote", but finally, here we finally are.

http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2010/07/13/what-can-10-buy-you-a-universal-remote-for-your-iphone/

http://www.macnn.com/articles/10/10/08/hardware.software.combo.includes.program.guide/
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-tv-remote/id351451688?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-tv-remote-two-in-a-box/id390049681?mt=8

Pretty cool. Probably other posts out there, but though I'd complete these one.

~ CB

Yep, I have that. It's pretty neat actually. It works with pretty much EVERY TV that has a IR receiver too. Meaning that if you have an old 1990's Sony like I do, there's no problem. If it doesn't work, you can ask the developers and they'll add it too. I'm pretty sure the adapter could be used to create additional programs that can control other things like radios/etc.

Here are some pictures I took of the little guy just now sitting on my keyboard for size comparison. You plug it into your headphone jack. I can power my TV across the room, so it's pretty great. A little off sometimes, but I know it has to do with my wobbly hands.

 

[Cleverboy]

Yep, I have that. It's pretty neat actually. It works with pretty much EVERY TV that has a IR receiver too. Meaning that if you have an old 1990's Sony like I do, there's no problem. If it doesn't work, you can ask the developers and they'll add it too. I'm pretty sure the adapter could be used to create additional programs that can control other things like radios/etc.

Here are some pictures I took of the little guy just now sitting on my keyboard for size comparison. You plug it into your headphone jack. I can power my TV across the room, so it's pretty great. A little off sometimes, but I know it has to do with my wobbly hands.

That's awesome. Thanks. I wish they took up that idea I think I mentioned, of letting the community submit new codes and "learn" from other remotes. But, I guess asking them and having them manage it is cleaner.

~ CB