TV remote Mobile phones.

[Kumagoro]

Just saw a relatively new mobile phone in japan Docomo F901iC.
Now has software to control TVs VCRs etc and even programming them
when to record.

Some might say a bit of a pointless feature but i quite like the idea.

for those that can read japanese,

http://901i.nttdocomo.co.jp/index.html

[Aaron]

This is already available for all Symbian smartphones with an IR transmitter in the UK too.

PsiLoc makes one version, which can be found here. It's available for all Series 60 (N6600, N7610, Sendo X, Panasonic X700, etc), UIQ (SE P900/P910, Motorola A1000, etc) and Series 80 (N9500, N9300) phones. The only downside is that it costs 15 Euros.

Still, it's much cheaper than buying a "proper" universal remote.

The FOMA F900iC is one cool phone, even if I don't understand what all the little tamagotchi things on it mean.

[Kumagoro]

Ohh i didnt know the ones here could program VCRs and things.... paying more money for it seems a bit cack though.

[Aaron]

Hmmm... not sure they can program VCRs (my phone doesn't have IR ) but I don't see why not.

[PopUpPirate]

Makes sense to me, certainly for TV, the volume controls would be straight forward as would the numerical keys

[Zathras]

The range of the IR on most normal phones limits usefulness as a remote control though. I have to be within about ten feet of the TV with my P900, meaning getting off the sofa. Only useful if the normal remote's lost or for playing pranks in Dixons etc.

[Swafe]

i want one for my SPV its a pocket pc based phone so there should be an app for it, i can only find ones that you have to pay for tho

[atifds9]

I use the blutooth remote desktop function on my s700 to control my pc from bed so controlling the TV and vcr would be sweet

[Howard]

Argh my eyes!

Besides the website's colour scheme, Japan always has the cool shizzle!

A remote control phone would be good, but as said the range of the IR would need to be consumer-grade like on some pocket PCs such as Ipaqs for it to be worthwhile

[Lee H]

I have an application like this on my P800.

Range is not so good. Usually about 2-4 meters depending on equipment.

Downside is that its a real battery drainer