Unity Remote: Universal Remote from Gear 4 Review

2
Posted April 23, 2012 by Tomi in

Rating

Design
9.0


Usability
9.0


Performance
8.0


Price
6.0


Total Score
8.0


 
 
 
 

:

It's extremely easy to setup if you can easily find your devices. It will save you money on buying batteries. It will work with Xbox 360. 360 degree multiple emitters means better and stable communication Not over priced Slick design which looks the part
 

:

If you can't find your device, you may find it a little bit tedious setting up connections manually
 

UnityRemote lets you replace all your remotes with your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. With Unity Remote you can replace all you remotes with your iPhone.

by Tomi
Full Article

UnityRemote lets you replace all your remotes with your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.  With Unity Remote you can replace all you remotes with your iPhone; Unity Remote supports all devices with IR remotes.  If you have multiple devices that uses IR interface and find yourself either losing your remotes or having to change batteries in 3 or more remotes, you will find this very useful because it acts as an Infrared emitter that wirelessly connects to your iDevice so you can use it as a universal remote controller for all your IR TV, Surround sound, remote control room lighting, TV Box etc.

UnityRemote

Features:

  • Universal Remote – Replace all your remotes with your iPhone – UnityRemote supports all devices with IR remotes.
  • No dongle required – No need to plug anything into your iPhone, simply walk into the room and use
  • Actions – Create ‘actions’ to control multiple devices simultaneously. For example, turn on your TV, DVD player and Hifi, select the right channel and start playing a DVD, all by pressing one button.
  • Learning – Teach UnityRemote to control devices not already in the database.
  • Easy set up – Simply place the UnityRemote in your room, download the UnityApp and follow the set-up assistant.
  • Gestures – Use swipe gestures to control volume and channels

What’s in the box?

  • UnityRemote
  • 3 AA batteries
  • User manual

 

Design

The UnityRemote is very well design with the simplistic, non-intrusive look; it is 2-inch-tall, 2.5-inch-wide black cylinder that weighs  4.8 ounces.  Looking at the base you will find  a shiny slick metal base and a very dark red band around the top that houses the infrared emitter.

On the device, you will find a single power button, a micro-usb port (not for charging), and you can unscrew the base for battery placement; the unity remote runs on three AA batteries which comes included with the device.

Setting it up

No need for a college degree to get the unity remote up and running, although it comes with a manual should in case you get stuck setting it up.  To set it up, hold down the button on the UnityRemote to put it into pairing mode and wireless connection with your iPod, iPhone or iPad.

Once you have it paired up,  you will need to install the free UnityRemote app and start configuring and customizing it to work with your IR compatible systems.

UnityRemote Unity Actions Unity Actions Setup Gestures Unity Database

UnityRemote needs to be in line-of-sight with your IR devices for best and uninterrupted connection; you don’t need any line of sight between your iPhone or iPod and the device which allowed control from cabinet doors.

Once you are all setup, you will find that there is a large database of manufacturers you can connect with, all you do is flick through them and use the on/off button to test communication between devices, if it doesn’t, it moves on to the next code until it’s functioning.  If you can’t find your manufacturer or it’s not fully communicating, you can manually program the device with your own remote and the app’s learning mode.  UnityRemote easily communicated with my Samsung LED TV, IR room lighting control, Sky+ Box, Surround sound system and PS3.

So how well did it Perform?

  • Bluetooth connection was good
  • No lag when pressing buttons and IR device reaction
  • 360 degrees IR system so it allows excellent connection and communication
  • Works with Xbox 360

Verdict?

It works very well and does the job.  The slick design is a bonus and surely gets rid of those remotes.  No cables needed as it runs on batteries and it is very well priced when compared to it’s counterparts the Voomote Remote.

Where can you buy the UnityRemote?

You can purchase the UnityRemote from the Gear4 website for £59.99

 

Thanks to gear4 for providing us with the sample for review.  Although the UnityRemote was provided by gear4, the review is our own view and opinion of the product.


About the Author

Tomi

I love gadgets and technology, so i write about them. +Tomi Adebayo

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