Move over movie critics, remote controls and TV listings
BY LEE RICKWOOD, WHATSYOURTECH.CA OCTOBER 4, 2011
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New apps for smartphones and tablets are normally used on the go, but there are several that make sitting in your home theatre more enjoyable.
No, the apps can’t set up your system – but one can help you better understand the words used to describe home theatre technology.
It’s called Home Theater Glossary, was developed by Deep Powder Software, and is available from the App Store or the Android market.
It gives definitions for some basic words and common terms. They can be searched, or looked up alphabetically, offering simple results for even the most complex terminology.
If a word you need to know is not listed, well, there’s a direct feedback feature so you can bring the developers up to speed!
“Clicker” apps
A number of apps are available that turn your mobile device into a fully functional remote control.
RedEye, for example, controls almost any equipment that receives infrared control signals – TVs, cable boxes, stereos, DVD players, VCRs and more.
The iOS or Android app is free. A small hardware device actually generates the infrared signals; it’s available online and at some retailers (here in Calgary, Memory Express is one).
Beacon, from Griffin Technology, (www.griffintechnology.com/) also turns a smartphone into a remote control.
Another software and hardware combo, it uses Bluetooth signals from your device and converts them to the infrared that most TV and stereo components expect.
You can change channels on a set-top box, pump up the volume on your sound system, program your DVR, and more through your touch screen display.
Logitech is releasing a similar product, a wireless device that connects to your iPad, iPhone, or Android smartphone and turns it into a universal remote.
But its new Harmony product line actually adds more features to the iPad version (over the smartphone apps).
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