Engadget

IR-embedded Surc case converts iPhone into a universal learning remote

Darren Murph — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

Whoa, Nelly! ThinkFlood won't like this... not one bit. If you'll recall, the RedEye universal remote dongle was well received, as a simple 3.5mm adapter added IR beaming to Apple's slate of iDevices. But now, Mashed Pixel has taken the integration one step further, seamlessly embedding an Infrared emitter into a case. Simply pop the Surc around your iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4, download the (free) accompanying app and start programming. Before long, you'll be dictating your home entertainment setup sans any external accessories, and heck, you may even improve your phone's reception all the while. The only downside to this approach compared to ThinkFlood's is that the iPad is obviously not supported, and once you upgrade to the iPhone 5, your trusty IR case becomes a glorified paperweight. If you're kosher with that, though, you can get your pre-order in now for $69.95, with initial shipments expected to make their way out in Q1 2011.

Gallery: Mashed Pixel Surc iPhone IR case

Continue reading IR-embedded Surc case converts iPhone into a universal learning remote

IR-embedded Surc case converts iPhone into a universal learning remote originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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URC debuts MX-5000 universal remote with haptic feedback

Donald Melanson — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:24:00 EST

URC has rolled out some pretty impressive remotes in its day, and it looks like it now has another claim to fame with what appears to be the first universal remote control with haptic feedback. That comes in the form of the company's new MX-5000 remote (pictured above with the touchscreen-centered MX-6000), which has a 2.7-inch touchscreen that URC says provides a "'very satisfying sensation" when you press one of the onscreen buttons. Otherwise, you can expect it to pack built-in WiFi, narrowband RF and IR to let you control just about anything you can throw at it, along with an included base station to accommodate various IR and RS-232 components and, of course, a built-in rechargeable battery and charging base. No word on a price just yet, but URC says the MSRP will be "less than $1,500." Yes, fifteen hundred dollars.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Peripherals

URC debuts MX-5000 universal remote with haptic feedback originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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URC debuts MX-5000 universal remote with haptic feedback

Donald Melanson — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Remotes, Others

URC debuts MX-5000 universal remote with haptic feedback originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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URC's PSX-2 iPod dock enables control via universal remote

Darren Murph — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:09:00 EST

These days, it's pretty tough to find an iPod dock that differentiates itself from the crowd. Then again, Universal Remote Control isn't your average iPod accessory maker. Designed specifically for the custom install crowd (but aimed at anyone who appreciates tight home integration) is the PSX-2 Personal Server. Put simply, this doodad enables users to control their iPod like never before by providing users a method of "exploiting all of the iPod's features, including some obscure and rarely-used ones," with any ole IR remote. The device provides "hundreds of discrete IR codes that cover virtually every iPod function, and even functions that aren't available on the iPod itself, such as commands for each of the iPod's EQ settings and the ability to perform alpha searches." Sure, it'll set you back $399, but that's a small price to pay for giving your universal remote one more reason to hang around.

Gallery: URC's PSX-2 iPod dock enables control via universal remote

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio, Portable Video

URC's PSX-2 iPod dock enables control via universal remote originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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URC's PSX-2 iPod dock enables control via universal remote

Darren Murph — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:09:00 EST

Gallery: URC's PSX-2 iPod dock enables control via universal remote

Filed under: Other hardware, Apple

URC's PSX-2 iPod dock enables control via universal remote originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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URC's PSX2 lets any universal remote navigate on the iPod

Darren Murph — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:08:00 EST

Universal Remote Control has showcased a new iPod accessory here at CES well ahead of its official debut at EHX Spring, and supposedly it'll enable any universal remote to navigate anywhere on an iPod with a single button press. The package includes an iPod dock that connects to the TV, essentially enabling users to kick back and serve up tunes and videos without needing an iPod-friendly controller. Reportedly, it even allows users to do things not originally intended on the iPod thanks to an elaborate macro setup. A few more details are included in the read link, and we get the crazy idea that this is just the thing URC needed to get into the mainstream mind.

Filed under: Remotes, Others

URC's PSX2 lets any universal remote navigate on the iPod originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Black Friday Giveaways (part 5): Universal Remote's URC Digital R50

Darren Murph — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:45:00 EST

Even if you're pouting away, scouring the intarwebz in hopes of finding even more misery to fuel your appetite for self-loathing, we can think of precisely one thing for you to be thankful for on this day: an Engadget HD giveaway! That's right kids, it just wouldn't be Thanksgiving / Black Friday time without a little giving, so we're offering up Universal Remote's recently released URC Digital R50 for the taking. For those unaware, this here remote can bring harmony to your disjointed home theater (up to 18 components), and the PC-free setup / backlit buttons should bring smiles to the faces of HT geeks everywhere. If you're willing to give your left (turkey) leg for one of these, don't bother -- all we need from you is a comment below, preferably one dealing with ducks in China. Here's how this works.

We'll put up a gadget on the site, and you can only enter it until the next gadget lands (usually within a couple of hours). If you miss your shot, sorry, we're moving on to the next gadget. Good luck! Oh, and don't forget the rules. (Yeah, there are always rules.)

Leave a comment below. That's it! Who loves you, baby.
You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You can enter different giveaways in today's Black Friday giveaways, but you can only enter this one once.
If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers or US contest laws if you have to be mad.
Winners will be chosen randomly.
Entries can be submitted until the next contest goes up. After that we're all done. Good luck!
Full rules can be found here.

Last round's winner: Harkco! (Remember, winners are selected at random.)

Black Friday Giveaways (part 5): Universal Remote's URC Digital R50 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Universal Remote reveals $149 URC Digital R50

Darren Murph — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:10:00 EST

Back at CEDIA, you witnessed the best Universal Remote Control had to offer for the high-end and custom-install market, but the outfit's latest caters to the commercial crowd. Hailed as its new flagship unit for the consumer retail channel, the URC Digital R50 features a backlit, customizable color screen, PC-free setup, an IR blaster, support for up to 18 home theater components, an ARM7 microprocessor and backlit buttons for good measure. The unit gets powered by four AA cells and weighs just nine ounces with the batteries installed, and for those who are already drooling, you can snap it up now through major retailers for $149.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Peripherals

Universal Remote reveals $149 URC Digital R50 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Universal Remote reveals $149 URC Digital R50

Darren Murph — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:10:00 EST

Filed under: Remotes, Others

Universal Remote reveals $149 URC Digital R50 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Universal Remote's MX-450, MX-880 and MX-6000 hands-on

Darren Murph — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:10:00 EST

Who says universal remotes are too complicated to bother with? Judging by the legions of people loitering outside of Universal Remote's booth at CEDIA, quite a few home cinema freaks are considering one of the company's newest controllers. The MX-450, MX-880 and MX-6000 were all on display, though we definitely saw the former two getting all sorts of jealous of the latter. We guess that's what happens when Earthlings are clearly more interested with expansive touchscreens, huh? Check out the whole fam just down there.

Gallery: Universal Remote's MX-450, MX-880 and MX-6000 hands-on

Filed under: Remotes, Others

Universal Remote's MX-450, MX-880 and MX-6000 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Universal Remote intros $500 Complete Control MX-880

Darren Murph — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:11:00 EST

Universal Remote briefly mentioned the Complete Control MX-880 in its release of the MX-450, but now we're being treated to a whole heap of new information. URC's PC-programmable remote is unsurprisingly aimed at the custom install sector and boasts a two-inch color LCD along with the ability to be used as an infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) remote. The $499 unit is essentially a color-screen version of the popular MX-900, and thankfully, the company included interoperability between files built for the latter to work on the new model. Oh, and it's available right now. Full release after the break.

Continue reading Universal Remote intros $500 Complete Control MX-880

Filed under: Remotes

Universal Remote intros $500 Complete Control MX-880 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Korea to test 1,000 remote-controlled domestic robots

Ryan Block — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 02:58:00 EST

Some of you laughed at South Korea's bellicose and seemingly unrealistic plans for 100% robot market penetration by 2020, but we wouldn't rule 'em out. Especially not since the Ministry of Information and Communication, which originally made said claim, will begin placing 1,000 wheeled, cell-phone controlled automatons -- dubbed URCs, or ubiquitous robotic companions -- into households and kindergartens this fall as a trial run for new robot technologies. The URCs will do the usual handling of domestic tasks as we might expect (and some we might not have seen coming, like cleaning rooms and reading books to children), as well the usual hanging out, taking care of pets (the real kind), and perform a little light sentry duty. The only thing at all disconcerting about any of this is the fact that unlike normal household droids, these URCs will be operated wirelessly from a central computing center ala I, Robot. Even though central robot behavior processing is what will supposedly get get the cost down to between $1,000 and $2,000 for one of these units, you'll never know exactly what your URC phoning home to the Ministry of Information and Communication about.

[Via GoRobotics]

Filed under: Household, Robots

Korea to test 1,000 remote-controlled domestic robots originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Jul 2006 02:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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