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Apple Patent Details a Touchscreen Universal Remote

Administrator — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:02:45 +0000

continue to pile up, and indicate the impending launch of an
. After filing a patent application about
, Apple filed a new application titled “Apparatus and Method to Facilitate Universal Remote Control,” which proposes the idea of a minimal, universal remote to control all your (Apple ) devices.
The patent starts off with the problems current remotes have, one – that there are too many of them, and the second – each remote is filled with buttons that most users don’t need. The solution to the first problem, the universal remote, isn’t all that simple to operate either:
While universal remote controls attempt to address the problem of multiple remote controls, these devices are even more complex to operate, further confusing the user. Additionally, a universal remote control may not be able to duplicate every command sequence designed into a remote control designed for the appliance, and for future appliances.
Hence, users must spend time learning a new remote control or programming an existing universal remote control each time they purchase a new remotely controllable appliance, which detracts from the enjoyment of using the appliance after it is first purchased.
What is Apple ‘s solution?
Get rid of these static buttons entirely and use a touchscreen equipped remote which would dynamically present buttons relevant to the appliance being controlled. The remote would have an inbuilt “discovery mechanism,” which would detect nearby devices using Bluetooth.
Because the interface can be custom made for different uses using an XML markup, not just appliances, but each app running on your device could present a custom tailored layout on the remote’s screen.
one or more of a television, a video tape player, a video disk player, a stereo, a home control system, and a computer system with remotely controllable software (for example: a DVD player, a CD player, an MP3 player, or slideshow presentation software). Note that this application is not restricted to only electronic appliances, but could also be used to control programs and functions that run on a computer system. For example, the remote control can be used to control DVD, CD or MP3 player software running on a computer.
, and then extended to the
.
, during the introduction of the iPhone , highlighted the flaws of these fixed buttons taking the example of smartphones that came with physical keyboards:
“Every application wants a slightly different user interface, a slightly optimized set of buttons just for it. And what happens if you think of a great idea six months from now? You cant run around and add a button to these things, they’re already shipped.”
has a few buttons that control the most important functions of a media device, which are play, pause and navigation. An alternative remote, somewhat similar to Apple ‘s description in this patent, is the
available on the App Store. It can detect devices on the same network using
, pair up with them and present an interface according to the device type.
, but not all the time would voice be as fast as tapping a button. And although the patent application doesn’t mention this, it maybe possible that the remote ships with a microphone to act as an input to
. Not just that, if
platform to developers, it could even bundle an accelerometer with the remote to act as a way of input.
Apple has extensive experience in sourcing capacitive touchscreens of all size, right from the 9.7 inch iPad to the 1.54 inch
, so building a small touchscreen device with built in Bluetooth would be a relatively easy task for the company.
What do you think?

Logitech brings Harmony remote to iOS and Android with Harmony Link

Administrator — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:11:44 +0000

Logitech's Harmony Link is a hockey-puck-size accessory that ships in October for $99.99.

(Credit:
Logitech)

With more universal remote apps becoming available for the iOS and Android devices, we figured it was only a matter of time before Logitech would bring its industry-leading Harmony brand over to tablets and smartphones. Well, now it has with a $99.99 accessory and free app called Harmony Link that are due to arrive in October.

The hockey-puck-size device is designed to sit near your AV setup, and taps into your Wi-Fi network to translate your commands into IR (infrared) signals that then get blasted out to your TV and various other components. Initially, Logitech is targeting iPad users because the iPad’s larger screen offers a more “immersive experience” and will allow users to download a rich personalized program guide with data provided by Rovi. However, Logitech says the remote control functionality of Harmony Link also works with the iPhone or iPod Touch as well as with Android smartphones.

Here a some key notes about the product:Works over Wi-Fi and has a built-in IR blaster to control nearby components.Free apps for iOS and Android platforms.Same, easy wizard-based programmable setup as other Harmony but no PC is required.Activity b… [Read more]

Valeo Park4U Remote Control App Allows You To Park Your Car With An iPhone

Administrator — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:11:52 +0000

We’ve seen a lot of cool things that can be done with the iPhone , but this has to be one of the coolest.
at the 2011 International Motor Show in Frankfurt last week that will allow you to park your car.
Before you get excited, the iPhone app doesn’t allow you to steer your car. The remote control app allows you to only accelerate and brake, but it works in conjunction with Valeo’s Park4U technology that can be found on cars from Lincoln, Ford, Audi, and Volkswagen, which uses sensors around the car and steering wheel control to automatically park cars into parallel and perpendicular parking spots.
You can checkout the video of a Valeo representative using the iPhone app to park a Volkswagen Sharan into a narrow perpendicular parking spot between two other cars, while he is standing outside the car.
It is not clear when the app will be available in the App Store, but based on the demo it looks like it will be very soon.
The Park4U technology currently needs 22 inches in front and back of the car for parallel park, which Valeo hopes to reduce to 16 inches in the future.
That’s pretty cool from a technology point of view. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

iZON Remote Room Monitor puts ‘eye’ in iPhone

Administrator — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 07:34:30 +0000

Can you see me now?

(Credit:
Stem Innovation)

Maybe you have a new puppy. You wonder if sweet, innocent Spike is destroying your leather couch and everything else you hold dear while you’re at work. Maybe you want to know which roommate is stealing your leftovers from the fridge.

Pair the iZON Remote Room Monitor from Stem Innovation with your iPhone , iPod Touch, or iPad, and wonder no more. Remote cameras aren’t a new concept, but the iZON comes in at $129.95 and has some enticing bells and whistles that should appeal to Apple fans.

Set up the compact camera somewhere convenient, point it at the object of your interest, and hook it up to your Wi-Fi network. It works with the free Stem:Connect iOS app to give you a real-time audio and video peek into the room.

There is a limit of 5 minutes when it comes to remote viewing with the app. That might help save you from running into data overages when using a 3G or 4G cell network.

Related links• Free app turns Webcams into security camera … [Read more]

Cablevision’s Optimum 2.0 Turns Your iPhone Into Your Personal TV & Remote Control For Digital Cable Boxes

Administrator — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 05:04:57 +0000

Back in April, Cablevision – the 8th largest cable company in the US with more than 3 million subscribers in New York alone, had released
, which allows their customers to watch approximately 300 live channels and video on demand (VOD) on their iPad, transforming the iPad into their personal TV.
Cablevision has finally released a new iPhone app, which also turns the iPhone or iPod touch into an additional TV, albeit with a smaller screen and also released a new version of the iPad app. With Optimum 2.0, you can also use your iOS device as a remote control for your iO digital cable boxes.
John Trierweiler, Cablevision’s executive Vice President of product management had this to say:
“We are also pleased to maximize the value of our Optimum App as a navigation and programming discovery tool by incorporating controls for home TVs as well. The introduction of this remote control functionality will make it even easier for our customers to locate and view all of the content they already receive as part of their television subscription, whether they want to watch on conventional TVs or these Apple devices.”
Here’s what’s new in Optimum 2.0:
and use it for free or update it via the App Store on your iPad if you’ve already installed it.
Please don’t forget to drop us a line to tell us what you think about the iPhone app and the new remote control feature.

Websites Offering Remote iPhone Unlocking Solutions Discontinue Service

Administrator — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 20:49:45 +0000

Last week, we reported about websites like CutYourSim offering
the iPhone for a one-time fee of approximately $170.
Cult Of Mac has just reported that CutYourSim has discontinued the service and is offering refunds to customers whose iPhones could not be unlocked.
What happened? Even a representative of CutYourSim doesn’t know.
“Unfortunately, we were not able to complete the rest of the unlocks waiting in our queue due to our suppliers being unable to offer the service anymore,” CutYourSim told Cult of Mac. “Our suppliers have told us that there is a possibility that the service may return, but they do not know when, so we have decided to start processing refunds for any orders that we were not able to complete.”
Even CutYourSim doesn’t know why the supplier is not able to offer the service. Cult of Mac goes on to add:
In other words, CutYourSim’s iPhone unlocking service was as much of a black box to them as it was to customers. They would throw an iPhone into one end, wait for the light to go on, then pull it out, carrier unlocked. No one knew how it worked, but it did.
The problem with black boxes, though, is that when they break, no one knows how to fix them… or even what’s wrong with it in the first place.
It is widely speculated that the supplier was someone who had access to Apple ’s database of whitelisted iPhone ’s IMEI identifiers. It is quite likely that the person decided to stop offering this service due to the increase scrutiny due to the publicity CutYourSim received last week or Apple has taken action against this unauthorized use of their database.
So as we had advised earlier, stay away from such services that claim to
.

Websites Offering Remote iPhone Unlocking Solution Without Jailbreak

Administrator — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:39:55 +0000

basebands, we’re seeing a number of websites that are offering services to permanently
.
Cut Your SIM, which is one of the sites offering the unlocking solution even go to the extent to claim that it is the official iPhone unlock. They claim:
We are now able to offer the first permanent remote iPhone unlocking solution. It is very easy, and can be done with three simple steps.
Our turnaround time is typically anywhere from 2-5 days for the iPhone . It may be quicker, but please expect this time frame.
The solution we offer is a permanent solution. Jailbreaking, or unauthorized hacks are NOT required. This unlock will carry on forever, you can now update your phone to the newest version without worrying about waiting for an unauthorized unlock to be released.
The unlock will work with any iPhone version, and any baseband version, no need to worry about updating to the latest version anymore, your phone will be unlocked forever!!!!!
Websites like Cut Your SIM are offering the unlocking solution for $170. According to MuscleNerd of the iPhone Dev team, they seem to have access to Apple ’s database and using it to add iPhone ’s IMEI identifiers. So it is possible that Apple could revoke the unlock by removing the iPhone IMEI identifiers from the whitelist, if it can finds out the people behind this backdoor.
Even if you can afford the high price, we would recommend our readers to stay away from sites that offer such services as it is not possible to guarantee that the unlock will be permanent even though they’re claiming that it is a permanent solution. We also believe that the solution is illegal as it involves tampering with Apple ‘s database.
What do you think? Please share your views in the comments section below.

iPhone 5 May Include NFC Technology For Mobile Payments And Remote Computing

Administrator — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:32:04 +0000

,
but is apparently working on it to bring the technology to iOS devices next year, which meant that it will be introduced in
.
will come with built-in NFC chips.
An entrepreneur who is working on a top-secret NFC product told me today that he believes the iPhone 5 will have NFC and cited a friend who works at Apple as a reliable source for the information. To further bolster his statement, the entrepreneur said that manufacturers of NFC readers – whom he has been talking to for his own product – also expect the iPhone 5 to have NFC.
has told them that Apple is testing iPhone prototypes with NFC but isn’t sure when Apple will introduce the technology in the iPhone .
and not just mobile payments, which we had reported earlier. Cult Of Mac provides more details about how it will work:
Apple is working out the kinks in an ambitious remote computing system — and a key component utilizes the recently launched Mac App Store.
The iPhone pairs with the host machine, and loads the user’s files and settings over the net. It’s as though the user is sitting at their own machine at home.
when a NFC-equipped iPhone is paired with a guest machine, part of the user’s profile includes the apps they’ve purchased through the Mac App Store.
The icons for their apps appear on the remote Mac, but aren’t downloaded, our source said.
But if the user opens an app, it is downloaded temporarily to the computer for use. When the NFC connection is broken, the apps are deleted and the computer returns to its previous state.
Apple is developing a way to auto-save files created within the app. The files are transferred to Apple ’s servers, so anything the user does within certain apps — like creating a document in Pages — is automatically saved and synced with MobileMe.
Is NFC technology on your wish list for iPhone 5? Let us know in the comments section below.
,

Remote v2.1 for iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch Gets AirPlay Video Support, Internet Radio Control & More

Administrator — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:23:24 +0000

Redsn0w 0.9.7b1 For iOS 4.2.1 Untethered Jailbreak For iPhone 4, iPad And iPod Touch 4G Released [Updated]
JailbreakMe 2.0 Released To Jailbreak iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G On iOS 4, iOS 4.0.1 And iPad On iOS 3.2.1, iOS 3.2 Using Mobile Safari [Updated]
How To Jailbreak iPod Touch 3G, iPod Touch 4G Using Limera1n [Windows]
Dev Team Will Release Redsn0w For iOS 4.2.1 Untethered Jailbreak Over Christmas Weekend; Looking For Testers
AirMediaPlayer: Hack Enables AirPlay Video Streaming From iPhone , iPad, iPod Touch To Windows PC
Redsn0w To Jailbreak iOS 4.2.1 For iPhone , iPad, iPod Touch Released
Google Brings 3D View & Offline Access To Maps App For Android – Is iPhone Next?
Untethered Jailbreak For iOS 4.2.1 May Not Be Released Before Christmas

Next Gen iPhone Might Enable Remote Portable Computing Using NFC Technology

Administrator — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:31:16 +0000

For the uninitiated, NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It is a short range wireless technology that enables devices to communicate with each other to perform simple transactions. This technology has been in use in countries like Japan and South Korea – but is yet to take off in the West.
. This technology could allow iPhone users to run any compatible Mac as their own Mac.
Confused? Well let us explain. The NFC ready iPhone would carry small chunks of data (which includes your applications, settings and data) that it would wirelessly transfer to a Mac near it making it run like it was your own Mac. Once you close the session or when your iPhone goes out of range, the Mac is turned in to a “normal one”. Note that locally stored data on the iPhone would always be small and would include things like bookmarks, passwords and documents.
If the user needs full access to files, music files or pictures or any large amounts of data, it would be sourced from a cloud service that the feature would come bundled with. While all this does sound exciting, we wonder if this technology will be available in the
.
?