Any chance of a hardware remote in the future?

Edit Subject

This is something that has been asked before. Currently we do not for see a hard button remote in our future. That does not mean we are eliminating that idea all together. If the right idea comes along, Im sure it is something we would look into more thoroughly.

Scott

Hi,

perhaps there is a possibility to add game controller support to iRule.
Then we could use this controller e.g.
http://gaming.logitech.com/de-de/prod...

Not entirely sure what a case would gain you but thanks for the ideas.

Thanks,
Tim

Hi Tim,

just to get hardware buttons.

Yeah I have to tell you that I have been a long time harmony user and really like it. The new software stinks and the new website stinks. I love and use irule but I don't always have or love using my ipad for the remote. a simple hardware remote thats always available would be great!

Neil

I used the Harmony remotes for many years and thought they were the best option. But the configuration was a pain and anything complex, impossible. But the physical buttons were important to me.

Having moved over to using iRule, now after some time I can state categorically I do NOT miss those hard buttons. I have found that by integrating gesture based control in the appropriate places and using the iPhone's hardware volume buttons, I now have a FAR superior remote control system than any Harmony or other hardware based controller.

As for having a remote always available, get some additional hardware just to run iRule. An Android device, or even an iPod Touch or older iPhone - cheaper than buying a New Logitech Harmony.

However, I cannot deny, that the above design would be of interest - potentially combining the best of both worlds.

Does any fancy programable remote like Harmony support sending tcp command instead of IR? I searched for it and am very surprise it dosn't seems to exist :/

I totally love my iRule remote, but my GirlFriend miss having a 'Real Remote' with 'Real Button' you can just grab, feel and press without looking..

I think it could be great to be able to have a hardware remote that send ip command just like irule does.. It dosn't need to have a touch screen or an excessive amount of button, just the basic stuff like any cheap 'replacement' remote you can buy at bestbuy..

This is the way I would see it interact with iRule:

In the builder, you could add a new device 'Physical Remote', this device would be a non-editable template of the remote, and you could simply assign command to button.

You could interact with the remote via wifi to program it just like you do for a wifi itach..

I know this require some hardware engeenering and it's more a hardware than a software thing.. but I think there would be a market for that, for peoples who stay away from home automation because they want the convenience of a classic remote. I would not see my grand mother use a irule remote, but I could see her using a Hardware version :)

Maybe this could be a project for GlobalCache ?

I love the flexibility and automation of irule. I use it to power up / down my system, complex macros...etc. However, when I want to what something, I switch to my Roku remote... Much more practical for day to day use. I wish I could use such a remote programmed with irule across all my devices.