How do you use your iPhone/iPad as a remote control, and what do you use it to control?
When Apple introduced the iPhone, they also introduced Remote, and app that you could use to control iTunes or your Apple TV. Since then a variety of other, more wide-ranging remote control apps have become available in the iTunes App Store for controlling media, entire computers, and even complete household automation.
With the introduction of the iPad, there's even 9.7" of screen real estate to fill all your controlling needs.
Let us know your favorite remote control apps for iPhone and iPad, and favorite ways for using them in the comments!
Reader comments
How do you use your iPhone/iPad as a remote control?
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I have a 2 rack system's of audio & video components that consist of a flat screen for each system with amps, dvr,blue ray dvd & ipod docks & apple tv. Is there a way to use my Iphone 4 or my Ipad to control every thing. The challenge is the rack systems are not in the same room as the Flat screens. What other technology is available that will allow me to keep my entertainment
systems in another room out of site and still direct all of the components.
Need help
Dan
savant is what you need to look at for that. very cool stuff and bulletproof
I use iridiumHD for my entire system, it needed a lot of setup, but at least it works exactly how I wanted it. Compared to any of the standard remote type apps, being able to design how I wanted it to work was great fun (even my wife can use it!)
I use remote mouse to control my PC on my HDTV, it works great, I can access my movie collection without having to get up and use the mouse!
After trying almost every remote app out there, may favorite one is Remote Jr. - nothing comes close.
And for iPad, airmouse or rowmote does not make any sense. You need Remote Jr...
I also like the Re (by NewKinetix). Very well designed product. I tried the I-Got-Control and found it to be really underpowered.
wow, no one's mentioned Remote Jr. yet? It's expensive, but the best way to control the Apple TV when you can't see the screen.
@Doug, I use the same thing: i-Got-control. Definitely way better than iTunes remote. My wife no longer complains about the stack of remotes on the table, and I can take it to bars and change the channel.
I use i-Got-Control www.i-got-it.com to control all my home electronics, my MacBook and my house lighting. I do this from my iPhone and my iPad. It's great! I also like how I can take that control with me wherever I go. Friends house, Hotel, Restaurants, Stores. It controls almost everything!
I use the Re Universal Remote Control Accessory and App. The Re controls all my AV equipment at home better than a traditional universal remote. I also use it at work for presentations.
I use the i.TV app to control my TiVo HD.
With the Olive Maestro app.
I normally use logmein n team viewer for remote desktop. N I have rowmote plus logitech touch pad too. But I seldom use just as fun. I'm a serious user of team viewer n logmein though. Most of the time if I have some tasks to accomplish like downloading, I leave my mac open for downloading, then whenever I finish them I use logmein to finish my job.
I use the following apps. Logitech TouchMouse (input & general control) / Ncontrol (for Windows Media Center) / Remote (for iTunes)
I use iPiMP to control my MediaPortal HTPC. Brilliant web-app that allows me to control the HTPC from anywhere with an internet connection. if I remember to program a TV program too late.. No problem, I can do it with iPiMP!
I throw my iPhone at the TV in the hopes of hitting the channel up button.
iPhone to control my iTunes n mouse/keyboard with air mouse
Hippo Remote Pro for most things -- wrote my own profile to control Google Reader. Apple's Remote app for iTunes just because the integration is so complete. iTeleport (fka Jaadu VNC) if I need to see the screen.
I am using i-Got-Control. Turns my iPhone and now iPad into a universal remote. Real easy to setup. Controls all of my tv's/dvd's in every room of my house. Love it!
The remote app wasn't introduced when the iPhone was introduced :) Just an FYI, hombre.
Hipporemote> rowmote
I use the remote app for iTunes all the time. It works great and is one of the apps that I use the most.
I can't believe that no one has mentioned rowmote pro. It can control your desktop (keyboard and mouse) as well as itunes, eyetv, hulu, boxee, frontrow, etc. I use it all the time since my imac is hooked up to my flatscreen.
Really looking forward to iPad version of remote.
I use several remotes apps: iPeng (Squeezebox), DVR Remote (TiVo), Boxee Remote, Remote (iTunes), EyeTV, Keynote Remote (for presentation) and RemoteBuddy AJAX remote (universal control of iMac). I have to upgrade to Blu-Ray and HDTV, but I'm anxious to use pocket BLU (Blu-ray) and possibly the Pioneer iControlAV.
Ideally, I'd like a universal IP based remote app the controls the devices it can by IP and then the rest by bidirectional RS232 through a device like those by Global Cache. I know Crestron and Savant can do that now, but who wants to spend $5000+ on a controller and then pay a custom installer to make the remote app. Redcliffe Technology Control Center, Cremote Bobby and iRedTouch look pretty good but are not fully featured yet nor super user friendly. I'd be curious if anyone has worked with these or similar apps. I'd love to see bidirectional communication with an interface as easy to setup as a Logitech Harmony remote.
I use Apple's remote program for iTunes. I use it to control my PC when I am practicing songs on drums.
JumiMouse Plus is great for a free form PC remote control, and the free JumiTAP is a bunch of remotes for PC (also lets people design their own remotes without writing code... well, a bit of XML modification). both work great. its iPhone/iPod only though. No iPad.
I have my laptop going to my receiver which are connected to a pair of outdoor speakers. I use Remote on my iPhone to control my iTunes music library during parties, family gatherings and simply just hanging and relaxing on my patio.
iPhone & iPod Touch using iTunes Remote to connect to a server running iTunes to connect to Air Tunes connected to a Whole House FM Transmitter to listen to music/podcast in any room in the house or even outdoors.
I use theApple Remote and DishNetwork app to change the channel and to jack with my DVR.
I use touchpad all the time with my mac mini. great app!
I use the Apple Remote to control iTunes on my iMac upstairs that I stream to my stereo in the basement via an Airport Express. I also love the ability to control my AT&T Uverse DVR via the available. I previously used DirecTV App to watch NFL Sunday Ticket during the football season (but I was using my brother's account for that one!)
...and of course "Remote" to control iTunes...
I use Hippo Remote and Boxee Remote
HippoRemote Pro, to control both the XBMC installation on a desktop computer hooked up to the living room HDTV, as well as the computer itself (eliminating the need for a wireless keyboard/mouse). That app is freakin' king.
I regulary use Jaadu VNC and Touchpad...
Oh and the DirecTV app for the DVR.
Sonos!
I use "logmein" app when I am without my labtop or pc. I also know that I use the Boxee app and Apple Remote app and Eyetv as well when I want to be lazy.
I feel like such a Luddite - I didn't even know this was possible! @john fischetti - you must have the best house on the block...
"Air Mouse" and "Remote" are all I need
Both iPhone and iPad run Rowmote, controlling Mac mini media center w Boxee, Hulu. Also, Remote Tap and VNC lite for odds and ends.
Works really well. :)
I love "air mouse" or mobile air mouse" it does keyboard and mouse functions, I can edit pictures in photoshop, video in final cut, surf my favourite sites all from my couch. Looking forward to air mouse on my iPad.
I use DSLR Camera Remote to control my Nikon D90 with my iPhone. I'm really hoping for an iPad specific version soon.
Don't use anymore now that my Xbox 360 is my media hub.
I don't..
The only remote app I've ever downloaded for my iPhone just controlled iTunes and my laptop isn't hooked up to my entertainment system so I didn't see the point on using it.
Are there any other remote apps out there that control more than iTunes?
I use the ipod as a Sonos Remote (Sonos) as well as a TiVo remote (DVR Remote) and sometimes use it for my Roku (i.TV). I also use the phone to control my Thermostats at my weekend house with (iIP Thermostat) and to view my webcam at the house with (Eyecam) Not sure if (SlingPlayer ) app is considered a remote, but i use that as well
VLC Remote and iTunes Remote Control, I'll try XMBC remote soon.