remotes

Sony to ship new multifunctional PS3 remote

If you own a full suite of Sony A/V gear ranging from the Bravia HDTV to a home theater system and PS3 console, this is definitely a remote worth checking out. The new CECH-ZRC1 has built-in infrared (IR) and Bluetooth connectivity to operate all these devices and comes loaded with specialized gaming controls. This clicker also runs on smaller AAA batteries compared with the older PS3-only model that uses AA cells. The remote is expected to be out at the end of March in Japan for around $44. Details are scant at the moment, though it seems like there'… Read more

Control, play torrents via uTorrent on Android

Bandwidth caps are only part of the reason that torrenting has yet to hit mobile devices in a big way, but that hasn't stopped them from trickling into the portable world. Today BitTorrent, Inc. announced remote control app uTorrent Remote that lets you manage your desktop's torrents from your Android device, and stream completed audio and video torrents back to your device. Originally mentioned last month at CES, uTorrent Remote will only work with the next generation version of uTorrent, currently available only as a rough alpha.

The Android app adds basic torrent remote controls to your phone. … Read more

In-depth look at the TiVo Premiere iPad app

If you have a TiVo Premiere or you're an iPad owner thinking about getting a TiVo, the TiVo App for iPad might be enough to get you to buy the one you don't have.

The app, which is now available for download, essentially puts the entire TiVo Premiere interface on the iPad's screen. That means you can do everything--browse the program guide, schedule and manage recordings, and search for content across broadcast and broadband services--without interrupting what's onscreen.

Overall, the functionality of the app is impressive, mostly because it's snappier than the Premiere's interface. … Read more

CES: Sony debuts touch-screen Wi-Fi universal remote

LAS VEGAS--Sony introduced its new HomeShare audio streaming platform with wireless iPod docks and wireless speakers, and it also rolled out a new touchscreen Wi-Fi universal remote to control them: the RMN-U1.

The RMN-U1 is capable of controlling new Sony HDTVs and home theater products over Wi-Fi, using their built-in DLNA compatibility. Of course the catch is that all your other gadgets will still need to be controlled via infrared, which the RMN-U1 can handle as well.

Sony is also promising a slick user interface, using activity-based commands (think: Harmony), plus eye candy like album art showing up on the … Read more

Seagate GoFlex TV to get Pandora, iPhone app

LAS VEGAS--Owners of Seagate's GoFlex TV: I have some exciting news.

Seagate announced today new firmware for the popular network media player to add support for Pandora and a remote control app for the iPhone/iPod Touch.

While the addition of Pandora is great news for music fans, I personally loved the remote control app after briefly playing with it .

Once loaded, the app turns the iPhone's screen into buttons similar to those of the GoFlex TV's original remote control and you can use the phone to control the player via Wi-Fi.

However, unlike the original remote, … Read more

Remote controls to get a Netflix button

Netflix will become more prominent and easier to use with the arrival of a button this spring on remote controls that connects directly to the company's widely used video-streaming service.

A big, red button with the company name will appear on multiple remote controls for Blu-ray players, TVs, and set-top boxes, the company announced today just before the Consumer Electronics Show gets under way in Las Vegas.

The announced partners are notable, though it's not immediately clear yet how broadly the button will propagate through product lines.

Netflix said its buttons will appear on remote controls for "… Read more

Control your desktop from your iPad

TeamViewer is an app that lets you connect to Macs and PCs via the Internet to share desktops, transfer files, walk through presentations, and control other computers remotely--all right from your iPad. It's even free for noncommercial use, making it a great choice for your pro bono troubleshooting for friends and family, or for just accessing your own Mac from the road.

The interface is simple: you just open TeamViewer and you're prompted to either create a session or wait for one. A unique ID and password is created for each session, and you need TeamViewer on both … Read more

Peel universal iPhone remote puts discovery first

A handful of companies, including ThinkFlood, L5, and New Potato, offer hardware/app solutions to help you transform your iPhone or iPod Touch into an adaptable, touch-screen universal remote. It seems like a no-brainer, which is why I'm a little surprised I haven't seen them much in the wild.

With full-featured universal remotes hovering in the $200-$300 range, you'd think convergence would win out and the iPhone would gobble up this market the same way it took a bite out of MP3 players, portable gaming devices, e-readers, Internet radios, and so on.

Start-up company Peel believes it's hit on one part of the problem: People don't want to use adapters. Whether it's a plug that you stick in a headphone jack (that you'll inevitably lose), or a dock adapter (which doesn't fit with your case), the simple truth is that expensive adapters suck.

The Peel system uses no iPhone adapters. Instead, a free Peel iOS app communicates with a wireless transmitter plugged into your home's router. When you use the app to turn on your TV or home theater component, or select a show to watch, the selection is bounced to the wireless adapter and back to a little battery-powered pear-shaped IR blaster, which can be placed anywhere in your living room.… Read more

Hands-on: Dish Remote Access app for iPhone/iPad

Dish Network has offered a free iPhone app called Remote Access that allowed you to program your Dish receiver to record shows remotely. However, owners of Dish's new SlingLoaded DVR, the ViP 922, as well as the new Sling adapter for the ViP 722 or 722k, were waiting for the app to let you stream live programming to your iPhone or iPad. Well, that day is here.

We tried the updated app and it worked as advertised, and we liked the interface on the iPad. The video quality wasn't great and the sound had some hiccups now and … Read more