Gear4 UnityRemote: Another iPhone Universal Remote Option
Whether the world really needs another way to turn an iPhone 4 or other iOS device into a universal remote control is something for a different argument; Gear4 is just pleased to get its UnityRemote out of the door. The $99 accessory hooks up to your iPhone via Bluetooth and has a 360-degree IR transmitter array to control your HDTV, amp, Blu-ray player and anything else.
Meanwhile there's the usual companion software in the App Store which turns your iOS device into a learning remote. You can either program it by choosing your kit from a list of preconfigured manufacturers and hardware, or by teaching the UnityRemote emitter itself using the existing remote control.
There's macro support, so you can have your TV, cable box and surround sound amp turn on simultaneously with a single button-tap, and programmable gestures to change things like volume and channel. It's available now, at $99 from Gear4 direct or from Amazon.
Press Release:
GEAR4 Takes Control With New UnityRemote™Now available for U.S. purchase, UnityRemote device gives iPhone/iPod/iPad
users universal control
El Segundo, CA (Dec. 22, 2010) – GEAR4 (www.GEAR4.com), a UK iPod and iPhone audio brand and case manufacturer with an emphasis on design, today announces the U.S. availability of UnityRemote. Now available through Amazon, the UnityRemote device turns any iPhone, iPod touch or iPad into a universal remote control
Designed to make controlling multi-media devices simple, the universal UnityRemote from GEAR4 enables users to control everything from TVs to Hi-Fis, Blu-Ray players to digital TV boxes – anything that has an infrared receiver – using one single device.
"Excitement for UnityRemote has been building and we're looking forward to having consumers start using it in their homes," said Tom Dudderidge, CEO of GEAR4. "People are already so comfortable and familiar with their iDevices, it will be a huge convenience to use it as a remote as well."
UnityRemote works with two parts – an app, which is downloaded for free from the Apple App Store, and a small device that can be placed anywhere in the room. The UnityRemote device receives a Bluetooth® signal from the Apple device, and then sends an infrared command in 360 degrees via five infrared transmitters to the device to be controlled.
After launching the app, users simply select the device to be controlled from a long list of manufacturers – many that you've heard of, and even some you haven't. If, for some reason, the device to control is not listed, UnityRemote can easily 'learn' how to control the device.
Users can also set up 'actions' for UnityRemote to control multiple devices simultaneously. With one touch, users can turn on their TV, DVD player, digital TV box and their home cinema sound system. The remote layout can also be adjusted so that one remote layout has the buttons for multiple devices on the same screen, like 'play' from the DVD player and volumes for the surround system. There's nothing to plug in to the iPhone and nothing to search for with UnityRemote. Simply enter the room and begin using your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad as a remote control.
UnityRemote is compatible with iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4; iPod touch 2G, 3G and iPad. It is available now through Amazon.com for $99. To learn more, visit www.GEAR4.com.
About GEAR4
Disruptive Ltd. is the owner and manufacturer of the GEAR4 brand, the UK's leading iPod, iPhone and iPad audio brand. Founded in 2004, the company is privately owned and operated, with its head office in High Wycombe, UK.