RedEye mini converts iPhone, iPad or iPod touch into IR-beaming universal remote

ThinkFlood's original RedEye was pretty swank, but unfortunately, it was both expensive and somewhat convoluted. It's only been four months since that very device hit the scene, but it's safe to say it's already history. Today, the RedEye mini is setting a new bar in the world of iPhone / iPad / iPod touch remotes, with a single plug-in Infrared (IR) adapter enabling your Apple device to beam out a near-limitless array of IR commands. All that's needed is the 3.5mm dongle (read: your dock connector remains open), the latest iPhone OS and the free RedEye app; once you're setup, you can then control your TV, AV receiver, Blu-ray player and whatever else is lucky enough to be in your home theater rack and support IR dictation. Better still, the app allows users to customize the way they control their gear, with full multitouch and accelerometer support complementing the ability to add (soft) macro buttons. Oh, and did we mention that this wealth of functionality will only set you back $49? Huzzah!

Update: Not feeling the dongle? Power A has a similar option for iPod touch and iPhone, but their solution is built right into a case. Not bad!

Show full PR text

About RedEye mini

Introducing RedEye mini: the second product in ThinkFlood's RedEye line of universal remote control products for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

RedEye mini is a portable way to turn any iPhone, iPod touch or iPad into a universal remote and free TV guide.

RedEye mini users can easily control TVs, DVRs, stereos, etc., whether they are at home or on the go. RedEye mini offers features and functionality previously available only in remotes costing several times as much.

Why choose RedEye mini
· It's the most affordable ($49) and robust universal remote accessory for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.
· Instead of having one remote for every device - or even an oversized universal remote with too many buttons - RedEye mini customers only need to handle an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad (okay, well the iPad's not that small...)
· Unlike other iPhone remote solutions, RedEye mini plugs into the headphone jack, which frees up the 30-pin dock connector for charging while while the remote is in use. RedEye mini users will never be without a remote when device battery is low. Also, iPhone users won't have to flip their phones upside-down to use the remote.
· Robust database of manufacturer-supplied infrared codes for easy set up. Users can also use the learning module to quickly train their RedEye mini remote with commands from existing device remotes.
· Free integrated electronic program guide (AKA channel guide) that lets the user access program and channel information without interrupting what's happening on the TV screen.
· Ability to control a virtually unlimited number of devices and can store a virtually unlimited number of commands.
· RedEye offers activity-based control, meaning users can program RedEye to execute a series of commands with only one touch (macros). Additionally, only the buttons appropriate to the activity in use (like watch TV, listen to music, watch DVD) appear on the screen.
· RedEye mini users can customize the way they control their equipment with touchscreen buttons, Apple's Multi-Touch gestures, and accelerometer controls. For example swiping two fingers down the screen can reduce volume and flicking the iPhone forward can change the channel.

Availability
RedEye mini will be available this spring through the ThinkFlood website, which is already shipping the first RedEye product to 47 countries, as well as through participating dealers and retailers.

Basic specs
· Includes: RedEye mini (plug-in infrared adapter)
· Requirements:
o iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch or iPad with iPhone OS 3.2
o RedEye app, a free download from iTunes/App Store
· Supports: virtually all home entertainment devices with infrared capabilities

[savagemike Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:33AM]

I can't believe the i universe of products didn't think to build in a capable IR transmitter actually.
This thing is a decent idea but looks like it would be broken off in short order.

[davepermen Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:45AM]

@savagemike no device in the i-universe can be controlled by iR, so why should they support it? that would be very non-i-style.

i'm quite impressed by the technical solution, some creativity at work :)

[Christian Martin Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:47AM]

@savagemike Agreed; make it way shorter and it might be a winner. Seems like a bit of a superfluous product at first glance, but I've been playing around with the XBMC Remote app to control XBMC on my old Xbox and it's actually quite nice (granted, XBMC Remote uses Wifi or cellular instead of IR). I can see this being the same, but one errant motion and if you don't break the dongle you might actually break your headphone jack.

Short 3.5mm extension cable maybe? Just to make it a bit more resistant to being knocked into something...

[Andhem Posted Mar 2nd 2010 10:00AM]

@savagemike
well the new danish android powered lumigon phones does have a built in ir transmitter.. this thing is way to clumsy... if you want to use your iphone for remote control you have to replace this thing with your headphones, thats lame.. but still at step forward i guess..

[Abuzar1 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 10:15AM]

@savagemike

Really they can't? Because last time I checked all my MBPs could be controlled by my IR apple remote.

[Abuzar1 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 10:15AM]

@davepermen

Err that was a response to you Dave. lol.

[WindFreak Posted Mar 2nd 2010 10:47AM]

@Andhem because you listen on your headphones while watching tv all the time right?

I don't know about others but I never have the headphones plugged in unless I am listening to my iphone at that very moment.

[davepermen Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:12AM]

@Abuzar1 hm right, that tiny few-button thing exists :)

but then again, apple is never much about supporting communication with OTHER devices, so the main point still stands. they could have integrated it with an apple iremote touch interface right into the ipod/iphone, though.. better that they didn't, else, no OTHER device would be allowed to be controlled by iR, as this would be an "app attacking their own app", like other browsers are disallowed.

[Gorilla800lbs Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:25AM]

@davepermen definitely a piece of innovation here.

[mensrea Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:24PM]

@davepermen My Mini and 2 Apple TV's as well as a number of iMacs and MacBooks (all of which ship with an IR remote would like to here more of your fascinating [read as "patently false"] ideas on this subject.

[Kerensky97 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:42PM]

@Gorilla800lbs
It really was innovative when the idea first came out 7 years ago.
http://logicalplus.stores.yahoo.net/grte50pdare.html

Unfortunately the amount of hand-held geeks was smaller then and the company making them couldn't stay afloat. Maybe this company will have better luck.

[barCODE Posted Mar 3rd 2010 3:38AM]

@savagemike

better yet, create a blue-tooth receiver with built in IR transmitter and then you would need nothing attached to your iphone. The stand alone IR/Bluetooth device would act like the middle man between you and your iphone. As a bonus, since it's BT enabled, it could also control your ps3.

[To Hell Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:36AM]

"Damn it, where did i put that dongle again..."

[Sled Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:39AM]

You mean now I can have one of those fancy $300 remotes! What I didnt save any money? #$@!

[FORDY Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:47AM]

@Sled
Yeah, you did. You saved $250.

Not sure why Engadget hasn't covered it - but for all the "Looks like its gonna snap off" guys, this product reviewed here is the ThinkFlood RedEye MINI!

The main product works with multiple iDevices and over WiFi, ie. no annoying dongles in your Touch/Phone/Pad.

[FORDY Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:49AM]

@FORDY
Sorry, negelcted to mention..

The main product is $188 and available/more info here:
http://thinkflood.com/products/redeye/what-is-redeye/

[Sled Posted Mar 2nd 2010 12:07PM]

@FORDY lol I ment the iphone/ipod is around $200-300. No savings, i guess it was a bad joke lol

[psp888 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:41AM]

Seriouly, what is the point!! what a waste of time.

[venamousentree Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:44AM]

Did anyone notice the the logo at the top? Looks awfully familiar...

[HardToBelieve Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:47AM]

@venamousentree

Rngadget.

[DRoizman Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:48AM]

@venamousentree
yup.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/02/redeye-mini-converts-iphone-ipad-or-ipod-touch-into-ir-beaming/comments/25884927/

[JimJam707 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:43AM]

@venamousentree Where from? lol

[deep Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:44AM]

Apple should have included IR in the design, but this looks like a great solution. Wish it was smaller, and probably will be later, but I'll get one now.

[dbeta Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:45AM]

Looks cool. I've been using my Pre as a Boxee remote and loving it. If I could control my TV volume and switch input sources from my phone my AV setup would be near perfect. Too bad I can't use my Pre as a BlueTooth remote to control my PS3. That would be awesome.

[ddpxl Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:46AM]

do i smell a TV-B-Gone ?! ^^

[Phreakazoid Posted Mar 2nd 2010 10:20AM]

@ddpxl Thinking the same thing :))

[tricksterqc Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:47AM]

will the app work with any Ir dongle that connect with a 3.5mm jack?

[TheAngryIntern Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:42AM]

@tricksterqc I'm going to guess Officially: no, but for jailbroken devices I'm sure someone will find a way to make it work.

[DRoizman Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:47AM]

anyone else notice the close similarity between the "R" of RedEye and the Engadget logo?

[ipodboy61 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:47AM]

3.2!? Do they mean 3.1.2? Or have I been living under a rock and the release of ipsw 3.2 been outted

[JimJam707 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:44AM]

@ipodboy61
At the moment the latest release in 3.1.3

[Heliosphan Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:48AM]

I don't really think $49 is great value 4 money -

5 cents - Infra Red LED, bulk price
50 cents - Product casing, audio jack + very simple electronic circuit, bulk price.
$48.45 - The software

Lets face it, it must work like a simple ZX Spectrum / Commodore 64 cassette tape loader of 30 years ago, converts the remote control signal into an audio signal and the dongle converts it to light with a paltry IR LED.

I'm not sure I'd want to dual purpose my iPod Touch / iPhone as a remote, in my case I'd need to swipe, enter my pin, launch the software, every time I wanted to change channels. :-(

Mind you, I'd rather use something like this than shell out huge cash for those pisstake Logitech remotes with the displays. I just would never pay $49.

[THJ Posted Mar 2nd 2010 12:23PM]

@Heliosphan You're right, anyone who spends 50$ to turn their existing iDevice into a universal remote is totally wasting money when they could just spend 300$ on the nearest equivalent, the Logitech Harmony 100 touchscreen remote.

[Ed T Posted Mar 2nd 2010 1:15PM]

@Heliosphan
Never owned a business, have you?

[HektikLyfe Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:18PM]

@Heliosphan Make me a 55 cent equivalent and I will buy it from you. Hell, I'll throw in an extra 45 cents for your trouble.

[Des Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:49AM]

This would make the iPad that much more of a "sit in front of TV while surfing the net" device. Now its a remote controller. I hope you can use bluetooth to control other devices.

[jfine Posted Mar 2nd 2010 10:01AM]

@Des You'd just have to quit out of any app you were using to change the channel. Heh.

[mp3 Posted Mar 3rd 2010 2:33PM]

@jfine I don't see any flaw with that logic. Oh wait..

[psp888 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:51AM]

I need to lower the volume on the tv, but wait, I need to find my iphone, find the IR dongle, turn the iphone on, find the app, now I can lower the volume.
Or pick up the tv remote in front of you and use that.

[jfine Posted Mar 2nd 2010 10:00AM]

@psp888 Agreed. There are some activities that simply need a purpose built device.

[THJ Posted Mar 2nd 2010 2:10PM]

@psp888 Stuff like this works best if you have an old iPhone/ iPod Touch, that way you can can keep the blaster connected permanently and put it up on a dock near your seating area.

If you only have one iDevice, then the original Redeye wifi to IR converter is your best bet (though it runs 188$).

[nicksizzle Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:52AM]

Or you could just buy a refurb Harmony for $40.

[Le Big Mac Posted Mar 2nd 2010 12:41PM]

@nicksizzle
Or buy a refurb iPod Touch and make it dedicated--no PIN, not for email . . .

[mark29 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:55AM]

Only $49?

[Beun Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:55AM]

The jack connection on my iPod Touch is located at the bottom of the device. Doesn't seem very handy?

[rmora Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:01PM]

@Beun
Odd, my touch still works when I flip it around. Which model are you using?

[jstraw Posted Mar 3rd 2010 4:39PM]

@rmora If you like looking at the display upside down...

[cmannes Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:57AM]

When is one of these iPhone remote apps going to use Gestures instead of "buttons" I don't want to have to look at my remote to change the channel/volume. With a gesture, I wouldn't have to.

[WindFreak Posted Mar 2nd 2010 10:55AM]

@cmannes umm...the boxee remote app does use gestures. Not being able to use gestures is a fault of the app not the OS. Call it lazy programmers.

[caelitus Posted Mar 2nd 2010 9:59AM]

Why shouldn't TVs include WiFi in the first place?