iPhone as TV remote coming to CES

http://www.totalcontrolapp.com
or
http://totalcontrolapp.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=108&Itemid=92

no dongle required
wifi so no line of sight issues
full IR dbase
IR learner
other functionality
works pretty well

I've thought about this before since my i is always in my pocket and my remote is under the cushion couch. But for $50? I want a battery to comp for mine ;-)

I have to say this is the ugliest iPhone dongle I have seen. I understand there are components that need to be in it but it should hug the bottom of the iPhone/iPod and allow passthrough of the dock connector. The IR could be on either side of the Dock connector. Nice idea, the software is make or break and the design needs to improve.

My problem with this kind of remote is the lack of actual buttons. I don't know about others but I seldom look at the remote to do anything on the TV or DVD etc. I go by feel. Often when my Harmony needs charging I will use the iPod Touch app DVR to control my Tivo. Drives me nuts that I have to look at it to find it. If you haven't considered it you may want to think about how often you actually look at your remote when using it.

To echo everyone else, it's all about the app that's behind it. Hardware is useless unless you've got some kind of useable software to work in tandem with. The best part about this thing though? You'll be able to call the remote when the dang thing goes missing next time!

With all the noise of how good or bad this is... it still won't work. Bottom line is that if you think you loose remotes as it is now, this little dongle the size of a Trident gum, it looks like it will get lost even quicker. Come on, if you lose the remotes that is prob a X1000 bigger, this cheap so called $50 dongle will be very expensive once its lost.

Unless someone figures out how to keep it on the phone, it will get lost. And with that stuck on the only connector port, no way to charge your phone. So ounce you need to charge your phone, oh shucks, that means you gotta remove it. Oh well, that will put you it to the very fist opportunity to get it lost... bummerz

If I were to design something like this, I would probably opt for some kind of device that sits by all your AV equipment and the phone would connect and issue commands to it via bluetooth. That way you don't end up with this awkward dock connect that plugs into the bottom of the phone

thins would be great if it works with my 1st gen iPhone gathering dust in a drawer.

The problem with the harmony is price. Why would I spend a much for a remote as I spent on my Blu-Ray player?

$50 hits the price sweet-spot. The devil is in the implementation. We shall see.

would be very nice if custumizing with the pc is possible (maybe bring a logo of your beloved HT gear (ROTEL etc :-) ) - cool would also be a online database like the one from logitech

btw. nice product :-)

Bad idea unless you live alone or have an iPhone for each family member. Are you going to leave your phone at home so that someone can use it as a remote? Doubt it.