ThinkFlood WiFi remote for Android goes beta, but still requires iOS
ThinkFlood is best known for its universal remote control systems, but now it might become famous for something totally different: discovering a way to bring peace to the tiresome iOS/Android fanboy wars. Its new beta app for Android provides complete control over the company's RedEye and RedEye Pro products, which in the past were strictly iOS-only. In turn, a RedEye system allows a range of IR-equipped devices in a home to be controlled via WiFi -- so in principle you should now be able to control your home theater and other kit using your Android tablet or smartphone. But here's the twist: users of the beta app will need both an Android device and an iOS device in order to get full functionality, because the Android app can't yet handle configuration. The company insists this limitation will soon be fixed, but we say keep it. If all apps required us to own both platforms, things would be so much more harmonious. Full PR after the break.
[Thanks, Martin]
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May 17, 2011 11:00 ET
ThinkFlood Launches First Universal Remote System for Android
Long-Awaited Beta Version of RedEye Software Available for Android Phones and Tablets Beginning Today
WALTHAM, MA--(Marketwire - May 17, 2011) - ThinkFlood today announced a new app which makes their award winning RedEye controls compatible with Android phones and tablets. The new RedEye app for Android is available as part of a public beta test program for free download at http://thinkflood.com/support/redeye/android-beta/.
On June 2, 2009, ThinkFlood was the first company to introduce a universal remote system for iOS devices. Company representatives say, over the past several months, Android compatibility has become the top requested feature for their products.
"RedEye has been a hit with iPhone owners from the start. As Android has grown in popularity we have seen a corresponding uptick in requests to bring our software to that platform, as well," said Matt Eagar, president and co-founder of ThinkFlood. "Today we are pleased to announce that our networked RedEye products are now fully controllable using Android smartphones and tablets."
The beta RedEye app for Android is compatible with networked RedEye products (RedEye and RedEye Pro) and supports devices running Android OS 1.6 and later, including Honeycomb (3.0) for tablets. RedEye customers can now use Android phones and tablets alongside iOS devices and PCs to control their RedEye systems. For the moment, configuring RedEye hardware still requires an iOS device; the ability to perform setup from an Android handset will come in a later version.
"We love the amount of choice and flexibility that the Android platform brings, but with these opportunities there are also challenges," Eagar continued. "In particular, with so many different handsets and operating system versions, it is virtually impossible to test every configuration. For this reason, we chose to keep the app simple and to release a beta version first. As we gather feedback from our beta testers, we can be more confident with regard to handset compatibility and incorporate more advanced functionality to the point where the Android app matches all the features of our current iOS app."
The RedEye app for Android arrives on the heels of ThinkFlood's recent introduction of its second generation of control products. Last month the company debuted RedEye Pro, an affordable, professional-grade networked home automation controller, as well as an updated version of its original WiFi RedEye product.
About ThinkFlood
ThinkFlood designs and develops hardware and software for control systems. Its award-winning RedEye platform for smartphones, tablets, and PCs offers features and functionality previously available only in control products priced several times as much. ThinkFlood is a privately held company headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. For more information, visit http://thinkflood.com.
