RedEye mini turns your iPhone into a universal remote control, requires OS 3.2

Seth Weintraub
|
March 02, 2010
|
Share

Here's an interesting product for an interesting OS.  The RedEye Mini plugs into your iPxx headphone jack and, with a downloadable app, turns your little Apple device into a programmable remote control.  You can set up macro buttons and even set gestures to do your AppleTV/BluRay bidding with full multitouch and accelerometer support.    

The price: $49. 

Interestingly, it requires OS 3.2, which would seem to be coming rather soon now, wouldn't it?  With iPad's release on March 26th – or thereabouts – the iPad will have OS 3.2, so it shouldn't be a surprise if Apple updates the whole lineup at that point...at least that's where our money is at.  via Engadget

Press release follows:

About RedEye mini

Introducing RedEye mini: the second product in ThinkFlood's RedEye line of universal remote control products for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

RedEye mini is a portable way to turn any iPhone, iPod touch or iPad into a universal remote and free TV guide.

RedEye mini users can easily control TVs, DVRs, stereos, etc., whether they are at home or on the go. RedEye mini offers features and functionality previously available only in remotes costing several times as much.

Why choose RedEye mini
· It's the most affordable ($49) and robust universal remote accessory for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.
· Instead of having one remote for every device - or even an oversized universal remote with too many buttons - RedEye mini customers only need to handle an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad (okay, well the iPad's not that small...)
· Unlike other iPhone remote solutions, RedEye mini plugs into the headphone jack, which frees up the 30-pin dock connector for charging while while the remote is in use. RedEye mini users will never be without a remote when device battery is low. Also, iPhone users won't have to flip their phones upside-down to use the remote.
· Robust database of manufacturer-supplied infrared codes for easy set up. Users can also use the learning module to quickly train their RedEye mini remote with commands from existing device remotes.
· Free integrated electronic program guide (AKA channel guide) that lets the user access program and channel information without interrupting what's happening on the TV screen.
· Ability to control a virtually unlimited number of devices and can store a virtually unlimited number of commands.
· RedEye offers activity-based control, meaning users can program RedEye to execute a series of commands with only one touch (macros). Additionally, only the buttons appropriate to the activity in use (like watch TV, listen to music, watch DVD) appear on the screen.
· RedEye mini users can customize the way they control their equipment with touchscreen buttons, Apple's Multi-Touch gestures, and accelerometer controls. For example swiping two fingers down the screen can reduce volume and flicking the iPhone forward can change the channel.

Availability
RedEye mini will be available this spring through the ThinkFlood website, which is already shipping the first RedEye product to 47 countries, as well as through participating dealers and retailers.

Basic specs
· Includes: RedEye mini (plug-in infrared adapter)
· Requirements:
o iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch or iPad with iPhone OS 3.2
o RedEye app, a free download from iTunes/App Store

· Supports: virtually all home entertainment devices with infrared capabilities 

 

Comments (22)

Gazoobee (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 7:56am

What's with the "iPxx" moniker? Trying to invent a new word are we?

seems a bit lame to me.

Aquiles Valañonga (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 8:15am

Get a life dude! No need to type iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad... iPxx is much simpler.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 9:00am

You are one to talk "Gazoobee"!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 8:01am

$45 for a tiny IR plug and you say price is the best part? I'm sympathetic to the fact that $45 is a lot cheaper than current universal remotes, but tough luck, this dongle costs pennies to produce.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 12:12pm

The app comes free with the dongle though. You are paying for the app, not the dongle.

traut | March 04, 2010 - 6:46am

but still there are tons of programmable remotes around which do cost < $5, including lots of hardware, firmware and maybe software.

I feel that this extension is overdue. In fact it should be built-in - the internal HW requirement is about $0.049, while software might be <$4.90 if not already built in.

NoComment (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 8:21am

Very unlikel that the iPhone will get 3.2 soon, there is no 3.2 OS beta but only a 3.2 DevSDK beta, so who will test all the iPhone OS stuff on real devices? Apple always lets developer test OS upgrades long before releasing it to the public.

d (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 8:41am

ughhh enough with these freaking ads... im so sick of 9to5 now... and very likey that this comment will get censored.

just me (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 9:08am

It looks much thicker than a standard headphone plug, which means it's not likely to fit if there's any sort of case on the iPhone/iPod touch (or the original iPhone which had a recessed jack).

That makes it a non-starter for a lot of people. Too bad, because it seems like it could be useful. Then again, needing to swap between headphones and this thing might be a hassle, and if you think a remote can get lost behind the couch, imagine how easily this will be lost.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 9:10am

seems cool but not for me..

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 9:35am

Not quite "Universal." If their app could pair Bluetooth to a PS3, I'd bite. Otherwise, I'd just be using this the same as my existing not-quite-universal remote; right alongside my PS3 remote.

pmz | March 02, 2010 - 10:01am

They've simply written the app using the latest beta SDK. They have no idea whether iPhone and iPod touch devices will be updated to 3.2, at all, ever.

Violian2 (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 10:41am

This dongle won't likely be on the device most of the time as it protrudes quite a bit - maybe only when you're using it. For $50, I'd be too concerned that I'd lose it - easily rolling off the coffee table and having the dog eat/chew on it - rendering the remote-software useless. And the software better be good because I've had something like this on my Palm Tungsten a while back - and most of the time was spent trying to get the software to work. Otherwise, for only an additional $30, you'd be better off getting the Logitech Harmony remote which works wonders IMO.

Web Design Richardson (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 10:47am

The iPhone is such a tool. It can be made in to so many things. I just wish they would put massive memory in to them. Although I would try to not include this in the school as this could cause bored student to have to much fun.

Samuel

ChrisM (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 11:00am

If the app is free, how long until someone makes a how-to on creating your own IR emitter to use with the app for pennies.

kotis (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 11:01am

I would prefer a device that has wifi and IR/RF/wired output to my components. This would be more expensive, but would mean that multiple iPxx's could be used as a remote and in my living room I could use an iTouch or iPad, and my son could use his iPhone to control the TV/DVR/Apple TV, and we wouldn't have the Redeye sitting around to be lost, break off. Buy the receiver with WiFi, 4 IR senders, and a couple of cables that can plug into Sony S-sych, or Yamaha's or others all for say $149, then download the application for iTunes for $3/ device.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 11:31am

guess what, that's exactly what the Red Eye (not mini) is.
check their website out

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 12:46pm

RedEye is nice but lacks the RF. I would personally love to see a program that uses BT to control PS3. If RedEye had IR and BT I wouldn't hesitate to pay $ 188 for it but without the BT I find the price bit steep.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 12:46pm

This thing is hooked to the headphone jack...
What happens when the phone rings? The TV changes channels randomly?

mime454 | March 02, 2010 - 8:32pm

That's a very good question, same goes for the square credit card reader.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 1:20pm

You'd never find it between the couch cushions.

Mac Hoe (not verified) | March 02, 2010 - 2:07pm

I like how it makes the iPhone look like it have an antenna...