How to use an iPhone or iPod as a Remote Control
April 28th, 2010 by Rachel Plut
Controlling your home entertainment equipment can be done at the tap of a touchpad. Introducing the RedEye, a device that routes communication from an iPhone or iPod touch, created by the company ThinkFlood, to link technology and simplify life. RedEye connects the equipment and technology already found in most homes: Wi-Fi (wireless internet) signals and a personal iPhone or iPod touch model running iPhone operating system 2.2.1 or later version. The iPhone or iPod Touch communicates with the RedEye via a cell phone signal and the RedEye then relays the information to the equipment in question via infrared signal (the same technology used by remote controls). The tiny red bulb at the tip of a TV remote is the same technology that allows the RedEye to control multiple pieces of equipment. Multiple rooms in a house can be connected using one RedEye unit per room. Unlike high-end automation setups, this system is reasonably priced. ThinkFlood offers unparalleled customer service, and doesn’t require professional installation.
Turning an iPhone or iPod touch into a universal remote is as simple as downloading the free RedEye developed Remote application (app) from the iTunes virtual store .Once the app is installed on the Apple powered device and the RedEye is plugged in and turned on, connecting the two devices is simply a matter of syncing the technology. Since the RedEye-powered universal remote replaces each item on the network, the system has the ability to control devices that have the infrared technology.
Without the restrictions of one universal remote, everyone in the home can use his or her own iPhone or iPod Touch to control various devices throughout the house. Furthermore, each person can interact with the RedEye system simultaneously. The system configuration data is stored in the RedEye hardware itself, so synchronizing additional controllers and RedEye units takes place automatically. The system configuration can also be backed up to any personal computer and then used to restore the RedEye hardware without any difficulty through using the device’s homepage (http://redeye_[serialnumber].local/).
While the RedEye is designed to sync with Apple products, namely the iPhone and iPod touch model running iPhone OS 2.2.1 or later, the latest RedEye models offer an exposed URL command code, which means that users can access the unit from either a web browser or using an HTTP GET-compatible device. Imagine sitting on the couch, surfing the internet on a notebook computer and then opening a web browser, keying in a web address to access the Remote app and RedEye unit to set the DVR (Digital Video Recorder) to record your favorite show and turn on the CD player. Perhaps instead of a CD player, turn on an iPod dock to browse through your iTunes library. The Remote app can access the iPhone or iPod as one of the networked devices.
In addition to the traditional units, ThinkFlood also offers compact, travel size RedEye units. The Redeye Mini offers all the convenience of the standard model while costing less than $50. The mini requires no batteries, just that you plug it into via a device’s headphone jack. After the initial configuration of the Remote app with the iPhone or iPod Touch, the apple devices can easily move between the RedEye and RedEye Mini.
Exemplifying the capability and range of the iTunes App Store and iPhone 2.0, RedEye and the Remote apps take full advantage of the convenient and intuitive nature of the iPod platform.
