L5 universal remote for iPhone now shipping for $50
By Chris Ziegler 
posted May 13th 2010 2:08PM
posted May 13th 2010 2:08PM
L5 Remote Available: Turns Any iPhone or iPod Touch into a Universal Remote Control
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Starting today, anyone with an iPhone or iPod touch can control all of their electronic devices with the L5 Remote. L5 Technology announced worldwide availability of the L5 Remote, an accessory and free app that turn any iPhone or iPod touch into a universal remote control. The L5 Remote can be purchased online at www.L5Remote.com; and by the end of the month at Amazon, B&H, J&R. The L5 Remote has a MSRP of $49.95.
The L5 Remote provides consumers with a powerful alternative that replaces multiple and often-confusing remote controls. The L5 Remote transforms the iPhone or iPod touch into a personal universal remote that controls televisions, DVD players, DVRs, cable boxes, audio equipment, and most other products that come with an infrared remote.
Developed by L5 Technology, the L5 Remote is comprised of a small hardware device that plugs into an iPhone or iPod touch dock connector, plus a free app available from the iTunes App Store. The L5 Remote offers quick and easy set-up using a drag and drop feature, so consumers can create their own ideal, personally customized remote control interface.
"This one small device reverses a long trend toward complexity in remote controls," said Wade McNary, CEO of L5 Technology. "Demand for the L5 Remote has been strong and we look forward to working with our retail partners to reach consumers worldwide."
How Does L5 Remote Work?
Consumers purchase the L5 Remote hardware – an adaptor measuring 1.25 x .85 inches – and plug it into the iPhone or iPod touch docking port. They will then be prompted to download a free app from the iTunes App Store, which allows them to simply drag-and-drop any desired combination of buttons to create their own perfect remote control interface. A short, guided training sequence follows, resulting in a smart remote control that replaces their pile of old remotes with a single powerful and convenient one.
Using infrared technology, the L5 Remote can control up to 100,000 buttons arranged in up to 1000 remotes. Consumers can easily set it up to control products in the living room, bedroom, office, or any other location. The L5 Remote will work to a distance of approximately 30 feet.
The L5 Remote is portable and does not require batteries, Wi-Fi or external power to work. The product can control thousands of devices, including TVs, cable boxes, stereos, DVD players, ceiling fans, air conditioners, and many other products.
About L5 Technology
Founded by Silicon Valley innovators with a track record and passion for creating products, L5 Technology is developing and marketing smartphone peripherals and accessories for consumers. The company is finding new ways to leverage the power, portability, and versatility of smartphones to take them far beyond communications devices. The company is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Visit www.L5technology.com.
What if you wanna talk on the phone and change the channel at the same time?
@1amk3v0
Start the phone call, hit the home button, and open the app.
Why do I want my phone to be a remote control?
@eirrom Why not want your phone to be your remote control?
Pitty the adapter is not using the 3.5mm jack, would have been great to see Android app devs get ahold of this.
$50 is a bit pricey. Griffin Technology use to have a dongle that works off the 3.5mm jack converting sound to IR (For WM5 & 6.1). It would have been nice if those guys worked on an iPhone app.
funny how this a "very" old and free function for most WM5+ phones
is it me or is technology going backwards
something that small im bound to lose at some point and at $50 bucks a pop....yea im just gonna punch myself in the nuts and start crying excuse me
How about a small Bluetooth to IR transceiver box you set in front of the TV and no stupid dongle on your iPhone?
@MBN
How about having an actual IR transceiver, like most Nokia smartphones since 2006?
Let's see... Buy an iPhone for $699, then on top of that, buy an IR transmitter and software for another $50. So a total of $749, and a continuance of Apple forcing consumers into a place where they can have themselves fleeced feature for feature.
OR... Buy an N900 for $469, use the included commercial class IR transmitter and free Qt app called Irreco from the repositories of free apps, download from the large open source list of remote codes, and enjoy. That's all for the $469 you paid for the device, with no one trying to tax you for trying something new.
With the $180 you'd save, you could get...lessons on how to save money by choosing the tool best equipped for the job. Stop trying to make the iPhone into an N900 and just save your money.
@christexaport
you couldn't be anymore correct
@christexaport
And how do I get an iPhone for the $180 that's left over?
Oh, wait, how about I buy a used 8GB iPod Touch for $100, plus this for $50, then I have a remote for $319 less than an N900 and it can do other things, too. Like IMDB during a show.
Too bad I sport a Otterbox Defender. When are we going to see not a case, but a 30-pin attachment instead. Basically, the port section of the case without the rest of the surrounding case. It would have to have some sort of piece attached to the port by wire that you'd have to point, unless it has some sort of adhesive or latch to attach it to the back pointing to the tv?
this may be worth it for an iPad :)
yup, def gonna splurge and get it. i bet we can even get it work with my PS3 and Harmony BT Receiver since it takes in irda to the base unit that then send bt commands to ps3 to power on.
add into the mix jailbreaking and Backgrounder, you could have a sweet remote/web tablet.
btw, WTF? no link to the actual device's website? or am i blind?
def not adblock, disabled it and still no link to the site. no source?
@seamonkey420 Try www.newkinetix.com
The Re is a better solution!
The L5 is finally joining the party. Though it is a nice learning remote compared to the PowerA, it can't hold up to the database driven remotes by i-got-it, FLPR, and the Re by Newkinetix. The Re has features that none of the other contenders offer. Check out the reviews on their website www.newkinetix.com/in-the-news/