Mobile Technology

Satechi dongle turns iOS devices into universal remote controls

Satechi dongle turns iOS devices into universal remote controls
The Satechi Universal Remote turns an iOS device into a universal remote control
The Satechi Universal Remote turns an iOS device into a universal remote control
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The Satechi Universal Remote turns an iOS device into a universal remote control
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The Satechi Universal Remote turns an iOS device into a universal remote control
The Satechi Universal Remote dongle
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The Satechi Universal Remote dongle
The Satechi Universal Remote dongle plugs into an iOS device's 3.5 mm audio jack
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The Satechi Universal Remote dongle plugs into an iOS device's 3.5 mm audio jack
The Satechi Universal Remote dongle is small enough to carry on a keyring
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The Satechi Universal Remote dongle is small enough to carry on a keyring
The Satechi Universal Remote dongle
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The Satechi Universal Remote dongle
The Satechi Universal Remote dongle adds an infrared transmitter to iOS devices
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The Satechi Universal Remote dongle adds an infrared transmitter to iOS devices
The dongle works with the RemoteBean app
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The dongle works with the RemoteBean app
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Having already provided a remote for the control of iOS devices with its BT Media Remote, Satechi has reversed things by releasing a dongle that turns an iOS device into a universal remote control. In combination with a free app, the Universal Remote dongle enables control of devices around the home that use infrared remote controllers.

While iOS devices have already proven popular for the control of everything from home entertainment equipment to UAVs, such systems generally rely on the iOS device’s inbuilt Wi-Fi capabilities. This rules out the control of household devices whose remote controls rely on infrared. The Satechi dongle connects to an iOS device’s 3.5 mm audio jack to provide the necessary infrared transmitter for communicating with such devices.

The dongle works with the RemoteBean app, which contains a database of thousands of products from major manufacturers. For devices not included in the database, a learning function provides support for less common devices.

The dongle works with the RemoteBean app
The dongle works with the RemoteBean app

Infrared dongles for like Satechi’s offering are nothing new, with similar devices, such as the VooMote One and L5 Remote, both around for well over a year now. However, with an introductory price of US$24.99, the Satechi Universal Remote dongle is the cheapest we’ve seen and it is more compact than the aforementioned devices.

The device is compatible with iPhone 3G/3GS/4/4S/5, iPad/2/3/4/Mini & iPod Touch 5G/4G. The accompanying RemoteBean app is available as a free download from the App Store.

Source: Satechi

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4 comments
4 comments
cybhunter
This has been done before with an iPod mini back in 2004. http://oreilly.com/digitalmedia/2004/10/28/ipoditunes_hcks.html
Joseph Boe
or you could buy an android device and download free software that does the same thing - and without a dongle.
Jack McMas
This is nothing new, but the app looks promising and works with iPhone 5, I am in
Bryan Paschke
@Joseph: Android devices still have IR ports? I thought those went out with the pocket pc. my ipaq (not an apple device) had an "overpowered" IR port for exactly that reason....it sold as a learning universal remote (with presets you could download for free)...I could control TV sets from across the street.
That said, why is this on gizmag? It's not new tech, it's not even interesting tech. It's a "been there, done that" If I'm bargain hunting, I'll go check out sales sites and google.