The VooMoteZapper is a small accessory that clips into the dock connector of your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and turns it into a universal infrared remote control for your TV and home theater components. Figuring out which remote controls which device, where to find batteries when they run dry, how to fix them when something goes wrong, or what to do when you can't find them are just some of the problems we face. There are a lot of dedicated universal controls, from cheap dollar-store varieties to incredibly expensive, programable Harmony remotes already. All of them offer to make our lives simpler and easier by replacing the complexity of multiple remote controls with a single, simple solution. There are other iPhone remote adapters as well. But the VooMoteZapper looks to be one of the smallest and most elegant so far.

 Say goodbye to the days of switching from app to app or fumbling for the right remote.  The all-in-one VooMote Zapper software and hardware combine all you need for an entire home entertainment experience. With VooMote Zapper App, you don't have to sacrifice customization for convenience. Consolidate all your remotes, TV Guide functionality (coming 2012), facebook and twitter (coming 2012) and still define custom remote layouts, programming and much more!

The VooMoteZapper can not only control single items of equipment but, like a Harmony remote, it also has the ability to be programmed with macro functions too. This enables you to program a string of commands under one function for example “Watch a movie”, this could then automatically turn on your TV, start your Blu-ray player and turn on your home theater surround sound system too.

Unlike the Harmony and other, dedicated, universal remotes, it harnesses the wonderful multitouch display of the iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad for its user interface, making it far more powerful and easier to use.

The downside of course is that you need to have an iOS 5-compatible device available in your living room all the time. If you have an extra iPod touch, it won't be a problem. If you're trying desperately to change channels and your spouse is talking on the iPhone or your child is playing on the iPad, it could be quite frustrating.

The VooMoteZapper is available online from the Apple Store for $69.95 and is available in a few different colors like red, green, blue, pink and gray.

$69.95 - Buy now

Via: 9to5 Mac

Consisting of two initial products, the WeMo Home Control Switch and the WeMo Motion Sensor, WeMo is a customizable, accessible home automation solution designed to simplify home maintenance and bring peace of mind to busy families and individuals on the go. WeMo works with a home’s existing electrical system and requires only a Wi-Fi network and free smartphone app to set up and control. Simply plug the WeMo Home Control Switch into any electrical outlet and then plug in any device, such as a lamp, into the WeMo Home Control Switch. Through the free smartphone app, the item then can be turned on or off remotely or scheduled to turn on and off at set times. The second product in the line is the WeMo Motion Sensor, which works with the WeMo Home Control Switch to make your device react to motion. Used together, WeMo can create a home environment that can turn a light on when someone walks in a room, or off when no one is present.

Source: Belkin PR

Logitech is well known for its range of Harmony universal remote controls and now it has announced one which will give you all the control you need; using your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. Instead of using an ugly dongle or case, this uses a WiFi enabled receiver which converts the input received from your iOS device into an infrared output to you home theater kit. The companion iPhone and iPad apps will be available as free downloads from the App Store.

The Logitech Harmony Link connects to your existing home wireless network to receive Wi-Fi signals from the Harmony Link App and turns them into IR commands that home-entertainment devices can understand. Harmony Link can control up to eight devices, is compact (about the size of a hockey puck) and was designed to integrate neatly and discreetly with your home entertainment system. Harmony Link can even connect with more than one iPad at a time, letting multiple family members use their own iPad - with their own set of favorite channels - rather than fighting over a single remote.

Logitech has also teamed up with Rovi Corporation to provide detailed program information within its app. This will deliver show synopses, movie information and images as you navigate available TV channels.

The Harmony Link should be available in October for around $99.99. The price does seem reasonable when compared to stand alone universal remote controllers. The apps will be available as a free download from the App Store when the Harmony Link is launched.

[Logitech via Engadget]

Unwire.HK has uncovered a few pictures today that are supposedly from a screen protector for the upcoming iPhone 5. The screen protector, if real, shows an elongated opening for the home button as well as a much larger screen size for the new iPhone model compared to the current iPhone 4.

We have seen quite a few case leaks recently which supposedly showed the rear of the iPhone 5 and a few months back there was an alleged iPhone 5 case which does appear to match up with this screen protector. It also showed an elongated opening for the home button which may be for a capacitive touch area rather than a physical button.

The screen size also appears to be larger when compared with an iPhone 4. It is believed however that all of these case and screen protector leaks are based on one particular source of design information; so they may all be wrong or of course, they may all be right. Until Apple announces the iPhone 5, we will just have to wait and see!

UPDATE: This post was originally published with the watermarks removed from the original images. That's simply not how TiPb does business. We'll figure out how it happened and make sure it doesn't happen again. Our apologies to Unwire.hk, we deeply regret the error. (Thanks to stupidapplerumors.com for the head's up!)

[Unwire.HK via MacRumors]

A new model home in Overlook, Lone Tree’s Heritage Hills has been equipped with two iPads to enable the use of home control and automation. The iPads can control the homes lighting, motorised sun shades, multi-room music system, television and video systems, baby monitors and closed circuit security cameras.

The iPads, featuring 10-inch screens, are designed to remain docked in the wall but can be removed. The dual iPad control system costs roughly $5,000, said Travis Deatherage, a partner with Denver-based Solstice Multimedia, the company that built the system. Audio, video, security and other equipment takes the overall cost to about $60,000. "The iPad has brought the entry-level price point down significantly, because an 8-inch in-wall touch screen before cost upwards of $3,000 or more," Deatherage said. "Now we can get a $500 iPad and still provide most of the functionality that an in-wall touch panel can give."

Home automation has always been a high cost luxury item. Maybe with the use of iPad's we could see it becoming more cost effective to install and enable us to control our energy usage and overall running cost of our homes.

[Denver Post]

Yes, you read the title correctly. In a move that nobody expected, you can now purchase an iPhone 3G from AT&T's web site, have it delivered to you, and activate it in the comfort of your own home. This home delivery service is now being offered to both existing customers adding a line and new customers.

If you purchase within the next 8 days you are promised to have your new iPhone the next day with free overnight shipping. AT&T also notes that shoppers have 8 days left in order to have it delivered before the Christmas holiday.

Shockingly, this option is not available on Apple's website as of today. If you still want to purchase a iPhone 3G at a Apple store you have to hop in your car and drive yourself to the local store. (Although, there is this feeling like Apple will follow AT&T's lead sometime in the near future.)

So what do you readers think? Isn't this the way it should have been since July 11th?

Important note: You cannot purchase iPhone 3G's as gifts for the simple reason that you need to be the actual account holder. If you are not the account holder and want to purchase a gift your only option is the iPhone 3G Gift Card.

[Via Apple Insider]