Re transforms your iPhone into a universal remote (which seems like a step backwards, to be honest)
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted December 20th 2009 2:25AM
posted December 20th 2009 2:25AM
OK, so we know a thing or two about the "convenience" of using your iPhone as a remote control. For instance, using it to control Boxee was alright -- until we needed to make a call. Or we received a call. Not to rain on anyone's parade, but the idea of re-purposing your phone to act as a universal remote seems a little silly. But what do we know? Maybe you hold all calls while Jersey Shore is on anyways. In that case, Re could be your next favorite gadget. This bad boy lets your handset communicate with all your AV equipment via infrared, contains an extensive database of devices, and can learn from any IR remote. If that weren't enough, New Kinetix promises regular updates to the app -- and your typical remote can't do that! Compatible with the iPod Touch as well, there's no word yet on a price or release date, but we're expecting that we'll be getting plenty more details come CES time.
Don't you mean.. A step upside down?
Is that the Engadget logo on top?
@pennyfan87
Re uses the Engadget logo on their iPhone universal remote (which seems like a step backwards, to be honest)
What in the world happened to a simple IR transmitter? My Nokia from '98 had one and of course a remote application is available.
@mattb
Nothing uses it so no need to put one on a phone any more like back in the day. I know there are still some phones that have them today but almost nothing uses it.
@mattb how many new Nokias still possess an IR transmitter?
@mattb
I know!
I miss the ir transmitter that was built in to the old iPaqs.
However, if somebody would build an IR blaster that received signals from a bluetooth smartphone then that ugly upside down appendage would not be needed.
The bluetooth IR blaster is really the way to go for Home entertainment centers. You could control the HTPC and turn on the TV and receiver/amp without opening the cabinet doors.
The Droid, in particular, can not have an IR attachment. Since it has its USB port on the side any attachment would be a monstrosity.
@JChez
http://thinkflood.com/buy/products/redeye/
It uses WiFi, not bluetooth, but I think it's close enough to what you were describing.
@bmaz The N900 has an IR Transmitter/receiver.
@JChez
I use GRemote on my HD2 to cntrol my media center. It works over Bluetooth and functions as a touch pad too. (-:
I too miss the days of 'beaming' contacts and programs with my friends over the Palm's IR port.
@mattb
had an IR on my Dell PDA and laptop. I had a universal remote program that looked a lot more impressive than this back in the day. Beaming data on the laptop was so easy, anyone could do it, too bad it was so slow
@mattb Did you ever try using it? I used to try using my iPaq as a universal remote and the IR only worked if you were less than 4 feet away. Not really convenient.
Can they make those buttons any more plain looking?
Seriously, they oughta hire an unemployed graphics designer who knows about the existence of color and maybe how to add subtle texture to buttons as well.
@JS They are buttons.. and you're watching TV....
If this is gonna work on the iPod Touch as well, then not being able to take calls whilst using this aint much of a problem...
And if you're expecting a phone call on your iPod Touch - well... you've got other issues...
@Vylen That's why phones have multitasking. Oh, iPhone doesn't have it. Too bad ;)
@Vylen
I know I'm late to the party to reply to this, but if I upgrade my iPhoone and have an old model hanging around, I'd love to be able to use it for something else like this.
They have great sense in logos!
@someone
Yeah...people love the hell out of engadget's little...umm...wave things.
Why not put the IR emitter on the headphone jack instead of the dock connector?
This is grotesquely huge for an IR attachment. I hope someone gets fired for this.
@Ned Scott
For example, http://uiremote.wordpress.com/
That guy made a far smaller IR attachment, and it's just a hacked together headphone jack. A company looking to actually sell this thing on the commercial market that can't even be as small as that has no business being in business.
@Ned Scott Wow that thing is awesome. Something must have happened though. It said the app and unit would be out in two months... and that was 11 months ago. Too bad. Perfect size and great idea.
@Ned Scott
The best thing would be to just have a little external box (like an IR blaster) that sits out on your coffee table and connects to the iPhone via BlueTooth. Actually, it would be just like that Logitech Harmony IR to PS3 BT box in reverse.
Japanese have been able to use their cell phone as a universal remote for many years. iPhone can't do that natively because it uses Wifi and not infrared!
@engadgetjp Americans have been able to use their cell phone as a universal remote for many years.
Ugly UI. Cool hardware, unfortunately objective-c is not my language of choice.
Oh for fu*&s sake, this is the last thing the iPhone needs. Now I can be hassled by a fanboi even more with "can your phone operate a VCR?"
@barkerja Well? Can it?
@publicfarley Nope. My phone is too dumbed down to do things like that, however, it has been gifted with the ability to very simple things such as use the Last.fm app while responding to a txt simultaneously.
It would make so much sense to have a wi-fi to IR bridge with web interface than this thing. I can't imagine plugging something like this in every time I want to watch tv!
@Marko... You only need to plug it in if you want to change the channel, WATCHING is strictly on the TV's end and you have to do your part by looking at it. ;-)
If you wish to use this app or any other iPhone app for that matter while talking on the iPhone, first make your phone call and put it on speaker, then use the iPhone home button to leave the phone screen and start your app. There will be a little green bar at the top stating your phone call is still active and you can talk away while using your remote.
I use this feature while driving and using those iPhone GPS apps with turn by turn instructions and 3G traffic data from the Internet. Both parties can hear where you are. ;>)
It is sad so many do not even have a clue of how to use the more advanced features of the iPhone. If you look closely Apple even demonstrates this in their rapid fire TV advertising.
@4phun It would be cool if it had an "advanced feature" to do something as simple as use Last.fm and respond to a text at the same time.
Might make a lot of sense for ipod touch users.
@Ethan
Indeed. I use m iTouch as a remote for my HTPC. This device with a slightly changed design and decent pricing will be a best seller for iTouch owners.
Hey Kinetix, I hope that interface we're looking at aint all that you have in store. You have an opportunity to create a "holy grail" remote device. How? By "chameleon'ing the touch screen to match the exact look (and layout) of the original remote! I have been yammering on about making something like this forever. Even rectangular remotes can be mimicked using "scroll and tap" functionality. So, IMPRESS US!!
PS And guess what, you could even make MAD "in app" dollar$ to boot (and I don't mean ad spaming either)!! How you ask? Well, I have already said too much. Higher me and I will gladly give up the rest ;^/...
I would much rather have a keyboard/trackpad combo like Logitech's Dinovo Edge that a. was not made by Logitech and b. worked as a universal remote, over IR, RF and Bluetooth.
Using it has universal remote might be silly but if it is an addon nothing bad in handling
No thanks...
These people are also forgetting that the best part of using an actual remote control is not having to look directly at the remote to make your selection. I don't see the iPhone universal remote market getting its feet off the ground until the iPhone adds some more physical buttons, which will never happen.
Wouldn't it have been more efficient to have say a base unit that didn't connect to the iPhone, that allowed the iPhone to wirelessly communicate the button presses and then convert them into IR signals your equipment could understand...... eliminating the need to cram some stupid IR dongle and turn your phone upside down every time you wanted to use it as a remote ?
Plus that would win you the boon of not having to point your phone at the (insert equipment here) since the iPhone would be sending over RF and would require no line of sight the the converter base?
Tho that would probably be a smidge more expensive than cramming an IR LED into a box and charging you top dollar for it =P
Now if Logitech can find a way to make my harmony one into a phone, I will be set!
You forgot to put Crapgadget in the title...
How about...buying an actual universal remote that is a lot better to look at then that piece of crap. How about...buying an actual universal remote that doesn't disappear from the living room when the owner of the phone takes it with them.
this may not be the best implementation, but I like the idea.
A better idea is the RedEye, a Wi-Fi to IR adapter that just sits on your network, so the iPhone works with no additional anything. Except the free software.
The best use for this sort of thing is not on your primary device, but a re-purposed one. How many people have an old 2G iPhone sitting around when they upgraded to 3G? Or the 3G to 3GS? How many 8GB iPod touch's were put in a drawer when the owner upgraded to an iPhone or 64GB touch? There are tons of old iThings sitting around not being used. But lose the dongle! It's not a friggin' Handspring!
And, yes. I practice what I preach. My old 2G iPhone sits in a dock by the couch ready to control my Apple TV, Boxee/Plex, and an HTPC.
Im not sure why the OP doesnt understand why putting a remote control on a phone is useful. Joe Flatley do you use a tv, are you changing the channels with your mind? if so where was the review for that, cuz shit i know id be interested in consolidating my remote controls with my phone. its already just as functional as one of those all in ones from logitech/marantz. if it isnt useful why make a post? what the heck, this is the second or third story on this device, and its now that you decide to deride the product. is it the addon you dont like, i dont understand the motivation to POST then to say its SILLY, w.e.
not having to do anything but use your phone to turn your home entertainment system on is a seamless idea. the implementation here is bulky, and the IR should be built in, they should do this for devices that have the IR built in already who knows, they probably do. but joe try to make sure you dont look like a tard when you post, posting a story, drawing attention to it, then calling it silly, makes you look confused.
@shadymilkman You're obviously very upset about my post for some reason, so let me assure you -- I do not control the TV with my mind. I use a universal remote that happily controls all my AV devices, has physical buttons, and doesn't need an oversized dongle to work. Neither do I have to stop texting, talking on the phone, or playing iDracula when it's time to change channels. And you know what? It suits me just fine.
Relax, dude... everything will be OK.
@Joseph L Flatley im relaxed, its just that this device doesnt suit your personal needs, and its reflected in your post, it would seem to me that you would have more control over what you write about. if its silly then why spend time writing about it.
none of what you said in your reply was in the post. all im sayin is the information you chose to share with the world, is subjective, the information you shared with me was informative and objective. had you included these pitfalls of the device in your front facing post then the justification for it being silly would be understood.