Using Apple Touch as a Remote

[Streetsville]

Good Evening:

I am looking at using an Apple Ipod Touch as a remote with two things in mind.
1. I have heard mixed information on using an Ipod Touch to control iTunes on a PC. Can anybody comment on how successful this is?
2. L5 Technology is coming out with an IR add on to the Apple Touch, any comments.

I am hoping this could be a wife friendly idea.

N

[Brad]

you can use the apple remote app, which is pretty bombproof

i use an app called airmouse pro to control a mac mini that is connected to my plasma. it has a little touchpad, left and right click buttons and a keyboard which can be expanded or collapsed as required.

its $1.99 and works reasonably well. you wouldn't want to type your university thesis on it, but for typing web addresses and such the little keyboard is awesome.

try it..if you like it great, if not..it was only 2 bucks!

[Streetsville]

Thanks Brad.

I was not the cost of the apps for this experiment, it is the cost of the Ipod Touch. Sounds like it will all work, looks like I will just get one and try it.

N

[Streetsville]

Got it.

Took 30 seconds to set up, works via wifi, slick and easy control of iTunes on my pc. Now I just need to wait for the L5 remote IR dongle to come out.

Just need to work through the steps to ensure WAF.

N

[Suave]

Eariler today at Salon Son & Image, I witnessed the NaimUniti player controlled with an app for the iPhone - very, very cool! Appearantly a number of the Naim components can be controlled by this app.

I read somewhere recently that manufacturers will soon be releasing iPhone apps to control AV receivers (some might already be out).

I've been holding out from getting an iPhone... but this makes it really attractive to me

[Streetsville]

Still waiting for the hardware to be released. A number of vendors are to release IR add ons for the Apple Touch / iphone any day now. They also have their own apps. These include L5, Redeye,and iGi remote.

N

[Streetsville]

L5 Technology was released today.

Is there anybody else out there on the forums looking into this?

Nigel

[Streetsville]

My other remote is a Harmony.

Any other WAF friendly remotes?

Nigel

[Suave]

I just read about this L5 technology online (http://www.l5remote.com/all-news/fea...s-at-ces-2010/) and while it sounds like a great idea to turn an iPhone/iPod into a universal remote, it's too bad that it requires a little device to be plugged into the bottom of the iPhone/iPod. Apple should really integrate IR capability into their devices... and the problem would be solved. Aside from that, there is no question that using an iPhone/iPod would provide a pretty sleek way to control your HT.

I'm personally a big fan of Logitech Harmony remotes - I've got three of these at my house.

[Suave]

I've been thinking about this for a little while and I've decided that I'm finally ready to move forward on this.

I plan to pick up the 4th gen iPhone when it comes out this July (with Telus).

Since the AV show in Montreal eariler this year, I've seen a number of companies develop iPhone/iPod apps that allow control of their AV components - Pioneer and Naim are the two that stuck in my head. This is a trend that's very likely to continue and I'd really like to be able to test this additional functionality when reviewing new components.

The fact that Telus called me on Friday to let me know that they can offer me a $500 credit towards a new phone may have had a little something to do with the decision...