http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/ Engadget Comments for 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/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
i guess i won't be losing the remote anymore. :-)]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
All of this could've been avoided if Apple had included an IR transmitter on the iPhone in the first place...]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
Or you could just pay for the find my iPhone service at $X per month. Course that will only tell you that your iPhone is somewhere in the neighborhood of your house...]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
yes FINALLY, something to rely on in case i lose my other 10 iphone IR remotes.]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
If it was like every other phone IR-transmitter ever made, it'd be so weak that you had to stand 3 feet from the TV to get it to register. And with the thickness of the iPhone, it'd probable need to be even less powerful.

All this is stupid anyway. For $70, you could most likely throw a Wi-Fi chip into an IR repeater setup and have yourself a dongle-less, RF remote. If you bought multiples for multiple rooms, it could even detect which was closest and reconfigure the iPhone with the correct set of screens to control that entertainment stack.

Come on folks, how about some creativity?]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 7:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/It is interesting how after the first one of these things was shown awhile ago all sorts of different companies are putting them out now.]]>Mar 24th 2010 7:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 8:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/]]>Mar 24th 2010 9:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Nope. Just the dongle to your remote. ]]>Mar 24th 2010 9:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
I think the iPhone and especially the iPod touch is a great host for a universal remote.]]>Mar 26th 2010 9:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
I think its cool but I'll stick with the Harmony 600.]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
I don't see this replacing any remote. To me, a quintessential part of a good TV remote is excellent tactile feedback and button layout. The entire function of a TV remote requires this so you can actually use all the functions without having to look at it. On a well designed remote, you should be able to change channels by direct number input, control volume, switch devices, access and manipulate menus, ALL without looking down at it once.

Try that with an iPhone remote. I do not want to be hunting and pecking and looking down at it everytime I want to do something.]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
What makes a Harmony different than all the other competitors is the set-up and device database. Without that Harmony's are just another fancy remote.

I seriously cannot see why a single person would buy this. I've picked up 2 880's for about this same price. The experience with the 880's vs this is night and day.]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
It's not much cheaper, unless you buy one of the high end Harmonys. Besides, a clunky dongle that requires you to either hold it upside down (or maybe put a mirror behind you for better bouncing of the IR signal) doesn't seem so elegant.

Maybe it's okay if you live alone, but really, it's kinda stupid. IR applications were better when phones had IR built into them. :)]]>Mar 25th 2010 9:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/It IS a POS !]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/If it was just an app there would be millions more of them and a lot better ones than there are.

Its the hardware mainly thats of interest, IR tx as well as "learning" feature. But I half agree with you, its much more at home for EGHD, where I spend most of my hours :P]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 8:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
o wait...]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 7:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
no, you can very much buy a good universal remote for 70 dollars, and if you are going to complain about quality, then you have no business using this piece of shit.]]>Mar 24th 2010 7:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/I got a good universal remote (one that works with my receiver) for $25-35. Cheap ones that only need to work with your TV/cable box cost even less.

Wouldn't get this unless you could change setups with one button and use it in every room.]]>Mar 24th 2010 8:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 8:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
you never even read my post did you?

you can't complain about quality in a 70$ remote, and then buy this, it's just hypocritical. ]]>Mar 24th 2010 11:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 26th 2010 9:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/iPhoners get raped yet again.
Back to cave continue laughing-->]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
yea, those touchscreens and all, definitely not meant for touching or anything like that.]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/You mean you make phone calls with your phone. Are you still stuck in the 14th century or something. Anyway the iPhone is way better than whatever you are using.]]>Mar 24th 2010 7:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/your name is the best. ]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
you mean a green e in cursive with the little waves over it, instead of the blue t with it?

i don't see any similarities. ]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Engadget sometimes uses a shortened "e" logo for things. Which looks quite similar, too similar, to the one on the device.]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
:)
http://www.engadget.com/2005/08/15/enter-the-engadget-t-shirt-design-contest-and-win-a-sony/]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 6:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/Mar 24th 2010 7:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
Requiring a dongle just makes this pointless. When do you attach it? When do you put it back on. How do you dock to charge your phone. I would put money that any use of these types of devices will drop to near zero after the first month or so of ownership. Assuming that you still know where the dongle is.

Having had a similar app on a Sony variation of the Palm PDA (with strong _built_in_ IR) I used it occasionally but not often. The App was 10 bucks, and I had the PDA with me all the time - still it was easier to grab a real (tactile) remote. And I never had to worry about the dongle.]]>Mar 24th 2010 6:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/24/re-universal-remote-dongle-for-iphone-now-available/
About 2 years ago (EE here) I thought about doing something like this for myself, and then maybe productizing it. It's very simple electronics & it would be fun to do. Plus it would have been a good excuse to write an iPhone app. Then I realized:

- you'd be able to get a real remote with a hu-frigging' mungous database and real buttons for about the same price I could do the product

- the touch screen is inferior to tactile buttons for most things

- having a large tumor hanging off my iPhone would suck

- how does person "X" in the house use this cute little toy when I'm at work with my iPhone? Nice $70 paperweight ya got there.

- how do you mute the TV during a phone call, etc.?

- sucks the battery life out of your phone - I'd rather save the battery for talking. My Harmony One lasts about 10 days with normal usage on a single 1-hr charge. Can my iPhone do that?

Anyway, I made a business decision to pass on the product development, which obviously at least 4 other guys/firms didn't. We'll see if they're laughing all the way to the bank, or if they're in Darwin's waiting room.

To paraphrase Chris Rock, just because you *can* do something, that doesn't mean it's to be done. (Just ask Mr. Hands).]]>Mar 24th 2010 7:59PM