http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/ Engadget Comments for New Potato's FLPR IR dongle gives your iPhone home automation capabilities http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 9:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
I've got a harmony remote and think it's great, but it's not perfect. In a household of 5, only my son and I know how to use it. Something like an IR iPhone addon may just work for the others.]]>Mar 4th 2010 9:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
So you are saying 3 people in your house cannot look at the buttons labeled "Watch Video", "Watch TV", or "Play Music" and press the one they want to do?]]>Mar 4th 2010 9:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
Ummm ... not sure what you think is so magical about iPhone app that runs as a remote. Harmony's are the easiest remotes around. As someone else pointed out, how hard is it to show someone to push a button called "Watch TV"? When you are done you push "Off".

I can't believe that the iPhone version is going to have easy macro creation (like the Harmony) or that is will have a database of commands like the Harmony.

For those curious - this device supports 14,000 different devices. At last check the Harmony supports over 225,000 different devices - and it is updated daily.

You can get a very nice 880 for this price. For $40 more you can get a Harmony One. Something like this only makes sense if it's in the $30-40 range.]]>Mar 4th 2010 11:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/It's difficult to understand but it's actually true. My wife can't use our Harmony remote for an unknown reason as well... I still haven't figured out why... It does say Watch TV/DVD, etc right on the screen :)]]>Mar 4th 2010 2:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
OR, you have the system set up so its too sensitive to direction, with the TV in one spot, and your other devices someplace else. If this is the problem, you should install an IR repeater on top of the TV and hook it up to the other devices. Then you just always point at the TV.]]>Mar 4th 2010 10:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 9:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
The screen rotates.

Will anyone actually use these things? I couldn't imagine a remote without tactile feedback from real buttons. ]]>Mar 4th 2010 9:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
Last I checked, iPod touches didn't have AT&T or signal bars...even with rotation ;)]]>Mar 4th 2010 9:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
That's super, but how does an iPod touch get onto At&T's cellular network exactly?]]>Mar 4th 2010 9:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
Probably about as well an an iPhone?]]>Mar 4th 2010 9:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Everything you do on an iPhone doesn't have tactile feedback. Why not just abolish touch screens!

Actually, with a good button layout, sound and the back-light, I haven't found tactile feedback an issue. ]]>Mar 4th 2010 7:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 9:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 9:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/This is why I'll be holding out for the RF version]]>Mar 4th 2010 11:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
IT's an iPod (hence not speaker), but they put the screen of an iPhone (otherwise it would say iPod vs. AT&T with full bars)...

Aparently AT&T's more bars everywhere is now valid for my iPod touch =D

Leave it to a marketing department to feel that they need to "make it prettier" vs. just show real pictures of a product...]]>Mar 4th 2010 11:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 9:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 10:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 10:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 10:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
Careful, that works both ways. My WinMo phone still has IR *built in*.]]>Mar 4th 2010 10:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
PowerA: $60, - - No activities -No macros, - No favorites, - no remote editieng, - Learning only DQ

L5: $50, + good UI features, + Good price - Learning only DQ

RedEye WiFi: $188 - too expensive & limited portability - DQ

RedEye Mini: $50, + maybe the low price leader, ? what is the learning module - Database is not local so slower setup. OK

Flipper: $80 + Downloaded Local database - No Rooms - No Activity Remotes, - No Favorites - Limited macros & difficult programming, - No favorites - DQ

NewKinetix Re: $70 + Local Database, + Complete Universal Remote activity based UI with unlimited Rooms, macros and favorites. + easy to setup - Largest dongle BEST BUY


]]>Mar 4th 2010 10:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 10:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
So no, I'll keep my Logitech.]]>Mar 4th 2010 10:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/I'm confused....isn't preventing your wife from watching Housewives of Orange County while you play am iPhone game a plus for getting the FLPR?]]>Mar 4th 2010 12:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 10:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 10:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 11:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 11:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
Stupid dongles like this will never catch on until they allow you to pocket your phone without fear of the accessory breaking off or stabbing you in the leg while you walk. ]]>Mar 4th 2010 11:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 11:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
looks like an addon for a CPU

bit big]]>Mar 4th 2010 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 12:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Mar 4th 2010 1:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Someone needs to make a small device that connects to your wireless network and sends out IR commands. Then you could use an iPhone app to send commands to it. It would eliminate the need for RF versions and the stupid Dongle. First company that produces something like that gets my $50. (oh yeah, it needs to cost less than $50, too)]]>Mar 4th 2010 2:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/Exactly!

I'd go one step further and give that device a minimal web server, so you can control your devices by any phone with a web browser.]]>Mar 4th 2010 3:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/My thoughts exactly; no way I'm paying even $20 for a dongle I have to attach to the phone... AFTER I remember where it is.

Apple got it right with the iTunes Remote app; I can't understand why there's such a wave of stupid (lloking at aB2review's post) to make these phones into actual IR emitters.]]>Mar 4th 2010 6:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/The iTunes App is a totally different product. It controls the Apple TV.
These products are IR remotes that will control all of your AV devices.
I like the idea if the implementation is complete. Most don't appear to have done a thorough job though.

I'm also not so concerned about a dongle. I have to keep track of chargers, earphones, etc. What's the difference. Phone upside down..who cares.

As for pricing, Apple could have built in the IR emitter and these would be free.]]>Mar 4th 2010 7:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/new-potatos-flpr-dongle-gives-your-iphone-ir-home-automation-c/
Crosses fingers than Harmony one day sees the light and develops an app/dongle as well for the iPad.]]>Mar 4th 2010 5:36PM