UiRemote: The Universal Remote for iPhone with Infrared

Hi there, it’s been a few days and the comments are piling up. I will answer all the questions you guys have posted from the first post below. It’s a really big list, but we will take all of your suggestions when we continue to finalize the User Interface.

1. So far the #1 concern is “will it be customizable?”.

I want to assure you that customization was in our mind since the very beginning. I know that I myself would not use a Universal Remote that only has one screen for everything I have in my room. So, expect fully customizable screens for each appliance you want to control.

We will allow you to choose your own background, button images, and layout for each appliance. We will also try to provide a standard set of remote templates to get you started.

We do not plan to make any desktop software for template making at this moment, since iPhone’s big touch screen should be able allow easy customization.

2. Will it be available for iPod touch, with the headphone jack at the bottom?

Our plan is to support the iPhone only at the moment, because only iPhone has the ability to transmit AND receive infrared signals through the headphone jack. These two features are necessary for the UiRemote to learn the Infrared control codes, and sending them out.

We do have plans to add the ability to import existing Infrared control codes like the ones found on RemoteCentral. We will then be able to release a version to iPod touch users so that they can also use UiRemote with the existing infrared codes.

3. Macro support that allows controlling multiple devices with one button click.

Yes this feature is already working, UiRemote will allow you to record Infrared Commands from multiple remotes and assign them to one button on the user interface. For example, you will be able to turn on the TV, switch to HDMI input, turn on DVD Player, set Surround Sound, switch Amplifier input to DVD Player, etc, all in one button.

4. Will you make a bluetooth remote so I can use it on my PS3?

No. Bluetooth is something completely different. UiRemote will only control devices that respond to Infrared command signals. Plus, the bluetooth module on iPhone is protected and not (officially…) available to developers.

5. Will this work with iPhone 1Gen recessed audio jack? Can you make it smaller?

Yes the final UiRemote hardware module will be small enough and fit in all iPhone & iPod touch versions. However iPod Touch isn’t supported at the moment.

Thanks!