RedEye mini converts iPhone, iPad or iPod touch into IR-beaming universal remote
By Darren Murph 
posted March 2nd 2010 9:30AM
posted March 2nd 2010 9:30AM
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!
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
Well, would be deffinatly be usefull for me. Home entertainment system has like 4 different remotes. But the design does need work. Maybe a dongle that fits over the bottom and allows a pass-through for the 30-pin connector.
I have a 1st gen ipod touch which could be reused for this, along with a simple and cheap docking station on the tv stand. Hmmm sounds a damn good alternative to buy a logitech harmony one...
Awesome?
will you be able to control a bluetooth device without the IR dongle plugged in? Well, i guess a more appropriate first question is if it will work as a bluetooth PS3 remote?
@tolarindr
think i answered my own question...
"Supports: virtually all home entertainment devices with infrared capabilities"
I'm not so interested in making my current phone into a universal remote but I think as older iphones begin being replaced by newer phones and are sitting in drawers, these types of applications are going to make a lot of sense.
this could be absolutely amazing for messing with TVs in big retail stores and ikea
Bad ass
I was waiting for this for a long time, it makes life much more enjoyable especially with things like gated communities, very useful.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/02/logitech-600-and-650-remotes-bring-harmony-for-under-100/
Seriously, just get a Harmony.
@Captain Obvious I have several. One of which I paid almost 300 bucks for. There very good. I'll still be getting this, probably would have gotten this instead had I had the option. I have an 880, an 880 pro and two 520's bought @ 5 years ago (they cost a lot more when first introduced). That's about a grand's worth of remotes.
This isn't perfect but its 3 bills minimum for a touch screen Logitech (1100). Even though the dongle could be a hassle; this is a better option.
Bend it to the side so it just makes the device a little taller instead of giving it an oldskool antenna and I might be interested.
I like the idea of a universal remote app/hardware for the iPhone, but if it's not RF, I can't use it with my equipment. I wonder if anyone will make an IR blaster that communicates with the iPhone via WiFi. That would be pretty cool.
@ColinMcGraw google redeye, they have a wifi to IT bridge device for 188$. There are some reviews of it over at AVS forums, I've been dying to pull the trigger on one, but gonna wait unitl the iPad comes out, since I think it'll bring on a rush of similar devices.
So everybody just forgot about this http://logicalplus.stores.yahoo.net/grte50pdare.html ?
@mike152. WTH??? I was already reading this article thinking "Damn, I just spent all that money on a Logitech Harmony, when I can just use my iPhone" Then I read your post and found what is quite possibly the greatest ever possible use for my old pocketPC there could ever be, besides gathering dust in my "Old gadgets" drawer! I even still have one of those iPAQ docks which I could've used as a charging station! Plus, No logitech Harmony can give me a quick game of tetris during the ads!
Waste of time for me.. I have a logitech 880...
And if I did have this for my iPhone, it's a pain as what happens when I am not home and soeone else wants to watch the tv ?
Wow, Darren, you completely missed the mark with this article. In no way shape or form is this device going to replace the original device. And I really doubt the company plans on replacing the original RedEye with this.....they won't be used the same way! Seriously man, tighten up.
This device turns your iPhone/Touch into a universal remote. That's all it does. There are a lot of inherent issues with that. For one, you will basically need to have an iTouch dedicated as your universal remote. You will lose the antenna very easily if you want around with it. There's no pass thru for your headphones so you'll have to remove it to use your device for any media consumption. So what, you're going to unplug it every time you live the living room? Maybe leave it on the table so your wife/husband/roommate/kids can use it later when you're not around? Uh, no thanks.
The genius of the original RedEye is that you can control your media center from any iPhone/iTouch anywhere within your WiFi signal. Grilling steaks in the back yard while listening to a recorded football match playing in the living room when there's an add break? No problem, you can fast forward from the grill. Sitting on the can when Miley Cyrus comes on? No problem, you can skip it without putting your pants back on.
These two devices are so shockingly different, I don't see how you could possibly claim that the original is "already history". And "convoluted"? What are you talking about? The only difference that I can see between the two devices is that you don't have to setup the wifi connection on the mini (and frankly, if you can't do that then you have no business reading this blog or owning a media center system complicated enough to warrant this device). The most "convoluted" part about these devices is getting all of your equipment's signals programmed into the app, and that's the same for both. Also, nowhere in the press release does it mention replacing the original RedEye, merely that it's the 2nd product.
You should pull this article man, it is really sub-par.
Best. Thing. Ever.
If any app devs are reading this, this would make a sick Universal remote app:
Control interfaces:
IR: IR to control TV Input, TV power, AVR, Sat/Cable box
WiFI: Control HTPC/Media Streamer, TiVo, TV (so they can be closeted)
Bluetooth: Control PS3 (if this is possible, don't think it is)
Macro support
Mixed interface pages (so I can have TiVo skip forward/back over wifi on the same page as Volume/mute over IR)
Gesture/Accelerometer support: More useful for iPad, with bigger zones, but 3f Swipe UP/Down = Volume, 3f Swipe Left/Right = skip back/forward, 4f Tap = mute+pause macro, etc. That would allow no-look control and let you keep the screen off to preserve battery.
Just FFT
Want.
We need a TVBeGone app now!!!
Ok back when they released the first turd I remarked on how they missed the boat and a simple device with ir transmiter/reciever in the headphone jack was more appropriate than that 200 dollar wifi station. Now they have the dongle wich is way to long and costs way to much, bravo you need some more compitent leadership at think flood.
Finally! When the original came out, this is what I wanted.
A small circuit with an IR emitter/receiver pair ($3.50 at RadioShack) and a microphone-enabled plug should be pretty easy to put together. If there is no power to the plug, to "listen" through the microphone I wonder if they are playing something into the headphone and feeding it back through the IR receiver and recording the interruption pattern during training.
In any event, they should charge a modest fee for the SW and let us make our own HW. Charging $50 for the dongle is too high. They could get much higher volume sales if they charged less for the dongle, and a nominal fee for the SW.
endgadget should do something about redeyes logo. looks alot like endgadgets unless redeye had it first
Seems like finding the little adapter/dongle thing and putting that on would be no easier then just picking up a regular remote. I mean I used to control my tv and stereo with my palm pilot about 5 years ago.. but if I had to have something else to attach to it it wouldn't of been worth it to me.
The RedEye mini - what a great idea! Love the price point. I'm looking forward to ordering mine as soon as its available.
{DROP}
~SNAP!
"Oh CRAP!"
Cool! Definitely a better price than the original :-)
Sweet!! Just wish they would have thought about making it flexible or with a flexible base that way wouldn't have to worry about anything snapping off or breaking. Kinda like companies did to the old cordless phone antennas. Oh and lower the price about $10-$15.
Sooo does this mean you have to flip your iPod touch around everytime u want to change the volume or channel, since the headphone jack is on the bottom??
Strange. I still remember the N900 Engadget video where it was asked why nowadays a device would even still have an IR port.
But once you have to pay extra to have one on an Apple product it's OK?
I actually did something just like this as a project for school (Univ. of Michigan), last year-- we also built an IR module (with a TRRS plug) that plugged into the headphone jack. Also, $49 is a ridiculous price. We built our hardware for about $5, and mass-production could've probably brought that to under $3.
Do you happen to know airfoilspeakers?
What a great idea, it's amazing nobody thought of it before...
Oh, wait, they did.
http://www.engadget.com/2004/07/27/how-to-turn-your-ipod-in-to-a-universal-infrared-remote-control/
The amount of awkward dongles and accessories for the iPhone is stupendous, IMO.
Just get a phone that does all this out-of-the-box!
@CJP
Some WinMo phones had an IrDA port that could be used for this purpose. Such as the HTC 8125... I know, I had one.
if it has micro, can be programmed via internet and control ps3, i'll get one.
*Feeling the dongle*