lol at IR. People still use remote control IR?
Good grief yes, look at all the Bluetooth remotes for things now. They finally found a good use for Bluetooth...
lol at IR. People still use remote control IR?
I have a Sony media streamer that's been discontinued. The remote is broken. Getting a new one is $50. You can control it with WiFi but you need IR to turn it on. So glad my phone had the blaster, it saved me replacing it. Thats just one example why an Ir blaster is pretty useful
There's a point?Point of this thread basically......
It's pretty much limited to things like TV's without an internet connection.
For me I'd rather not have it as I don't want to get my iPhone, launch an app and then change channel, volume etc.
I have the Tivo app for Virgin Media Tivo which allows me to change channel, I have used it when I first downloaded to hang the channel but since then the only reason I have used it is if I'm out and I remember that I want to record something, so I set it to record. It really is too much hassle to go through everything to launch an app to do a job that I can do by picking up the remote control next to my iPhone.
In future the iPhone could be great for controlling things like lighting, temperature etc all at once or for when your out of the house, but thats different then using an IR blaster for something like changing the channel on your TV which currently requires launching an app when I already have a remote control.
I have never ever reached for my iPhone and wish it had an ir blaster. 1988 called and said they want their tech back along with their radio shack. All jokes aside Sony has been using Bluetooth on their remotes for ps4 and some of their bluray players and Microsoft started using it with their one. Bluetooth is the way to go for wireless connection. IR blast is another gimmick to "feature" pack Android phones. Just like NFC.
I agree IR blaster is a bit gimmicky this day in age.
But I would argue NFC and it's uses. Even in the states where it's not that popular you can still pay at, mcdonalds, cvs, wall greens, wawa, 7-11, foot locker, Home Depot, tons of gas stations, even modern soda machines (the ones that take credit), etc etc. Most places that have a device that you manually swipe a credit card yourself accept it.
It's a big deal for me. I have the IR blaster control nearly everything in my house. Automated at that.
Phones come with IR? Damn, thought that died years ago for everything but a TV remote.
How is that not easier and better then NFC?
IMO NFC is great on low tech items like a credit card but not so much with a smartphone. When I make purchases in an Apple store using my camera and Bluetooth connection I'm always reminded why Apple is two steps ahead of the competition. If NFC on smartphones are the MP3 players of old then iBeacon is the new iPod. I don't have to wait on line for anything. I bought a mophie case just by me scanning it and tapping on the purchase button. How is that not easier and better then NFC?
Because it isn't available anywhere except an Apple store?
Don't go there. People already complain that no place takes NFC (although it's just cause they aren't looking for it). No place excepts Apples method in reality. I'd love if every place did and I do agree it's easier/better in that respect. But until it's wide spread it's pretty useless.
It needs time to roll out of course. NFC has been around since the 90s and it's still waiting to catch on. I know it's big in Japan but so is the fax machine.
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Almost all stores in the USA accepts it. It's on almost all credits cards but people still rather swipe. Second it's not Apple's method. Pretty much all smartphones can do it and that of course includes Android phones. The fact is that no one truly uses NFC because there is just no point. You still have to wait on line to make your purchase. And if you're going to your pocket why would you pull out your smartphone versus your wallet? What's the real benefit? Using Bluetooth allows a real benefits that requires a few taps. There's a reason why NFC didn't really take off and I believe Bluetooth transactions will.
Wait, I'm confused.
Link me to the payment method you speak of. I'm completely clueless of it apparently. I saw iBeacon and may have gotten confused.
It needs time to roll out of course. NFC has been around since the 90s and it's still waiting to catch on.