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View Full Version : UltraMote 3.2 - Now Supporting Windows Mobile 5.0 and the Axim X51/X51v

Darius Wey
10-30-2005, 02:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ultramote.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.ultramote.com/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"UltraMote universal remote software is now available for the new Dell Axim X51 &amp; X51V model Pocket PCs, bringing to 27 the number of Pocket PC models supported by the award-winning UltraMote solution. Two of the new Axim models supported include integrated WiFi and Bluetooth, which can be used with the UltraMote infrared remote control solution for living room multitasking. The UltraMote package lets Pocket PC users channel surf, control their DVD players, set up the VCR, control the audio, change the lighting, or control any number of tasks related to the home theater, at a fraction of the cost of many dedicated universal remotes. On those supported Pocket PC models with built in WiFi and Bluetooth, users can also surf the web, download pictures, or even take a Skype internet phone call. With the built-in CF slot on the new Axim X51 models, users also can use the proprietary UltraMote Extender to control their systems up to 50 feet away."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050107-UltraMotev3.jpg" /><br /><br />UltraMote has just been updated to v3.2 to support Windows Mobile 5.0 and the new Dell Axim X51/X51v series. This universal remote control software goes hand-in-hand with the optional CompactFlash-based <a href="http://www.ultramote.com/extender.php">UltraMote Extender</a> to boost the IR range to fifty feet. UltraMote 3.2, as stand-alone software, can be purchased for $15.00 (USD). An extra $20.00 (USD) will get you the full UltraMote/UltraMote Extender package.
R K
10-30-2005, 06:06 AM
I like Griffin Technology's TotalRemote. That one worked with an IR extender that plugged into your headphone jack to pump out IR beams converted from audio.

The hardware was compatible with a lot of Pocket PCs (since all of them have headphone jacks), but I think they discontinued it. I used Google to order one of the last ones last month but after that, they removed any references to TotalRemote from their site complately.
R K
10-30-2005, 06:09 AM
Oh yeah, the Axim also has one of the best IR ports for remote controls.
It's not as good as the CIR ports on the iPAQs, but I got a good 7 feet out of mine.
mrozema
10-30-2005, 07:39 AM
Oh yeah, the Axim also has one of the best IR ports for remote controls.
It's not as good as the CIR ports on the iPAQs, but I got a good 7 feet out of mine.
Which Axim do you have? I've got the X50 (mid) and the ir range seems horrible.
R K
10-30-2005, 07:42 AM
Which Axim do you have? I've got the X50 (mid) and the ir range seems horrible.

The Axim X50v.
mrozema
10-30-2005, 07:43 AM
Oh wow. I'll have to try it again. I just got a replacement last week since my headphone jack went south, so maybe it'll be different than my original.
R K
10-30-2005, 08:00 AM
Oh wow. I'll have to try it again. I just got a replacement last week since my headphone jack went south, so maybe it'll be different than my original.

If you're talking about TotalRemote, you might have to increase your volume to 100% to get it working effectively. Documentation says that the app is supposed to do that itself but I think that got broken somewhere between WM2003 and WM2003SE.
Menneisyys
10-30-2005, 12:01 PM
Oh yeah, the Axim also has one of the best IR ports for remote controls.
It's not as good as the CIR ports on the iPAQs, but I got a good 7 feet out of mine.

Yup, Axims got very good IR range (except for the x5). (Also see my article (http://pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17874) and my IR-related blog (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;cat=71) on this.) Strange mrozema had problems with the range.
Menneisyys
10-30-2005, 12:22 PM
Quick tested the app and compared to version 3.1.

Unfortunately, it is as featureless as the previous, 3.1 version:
- no toggling
- no macros
- no CCF (Pronto)
- no voice control
- no TI/Samsung CPU support
- doesn't support the native (real) VGA mode (it's displayed in the upper left quarter of the screen)
- doesn't support SE landscape (meaning it doesn't support the hw6515/Treo 700w either - it doesn't even have scrollbars)
- doesn't even start on the iPAQ 2210 etc.

Verdict: I wouldn't get it unless there weren't other hardware-enhanced possibilities (in general, they are - Total Remote is much better on almost all devices, except for, say, the Dell Axim x5. This means always try Total Remote first, and if it doesn't work, give a try to UltraMote). There're considerably better remote controller applications. (See the above-linked roundup.)

EDIT: added landscape/native VGA info
Tim Rapson
10-30-2005, 04:15 PM
This sounds like a good product, but the comments seem to imply the software is not up to snuff. I don't know what keeps all manufacturers from boosting the IR for decent TV remote feature out of the box. If it takes too much battery life, then disable it.
7 feet is not worthwhile for me. So, this hardware sollution would be needed, but if the software that it works with is no good, how can one use it?
Like usual, the real sollution is just out of reach.
Menneisyys
10-30-2005, 04:21 PM
This sounds like a good product, but the comments seem to imply the software is not up to snuff. I don't know what keeps all manufacturers from boosting the IR for decent TV remote feature out of the box. If it takes too much battery life, then disable it.
7 feet is not worthwhile for me. So, this hardware sollution would be needed, but if the software that it works with is no good, how can one use it?
Like usual, the real sollution is just out of reach.

Give a try to Total Remote - except for some, known devices (4150, x5 etc), it's working great and has a much better software (with even Pronto support).
R K
10-30-2005, 04:42 PM
I don't know what keeps all manufacturers from boosting the IR for decent TV remote feature out of the box. If it takes too much battery life, then disable it.
7 feet is not worthwhile for me. So, this hardware sollution would be needed, but if the software that it works with is no good, how can one use it?
Like usual, the real sollution is just out of reach.

Most likely it's because of product development time and cost. Sure they could throw every feature known to man on to a Pocket PC but then it would be $1,500+ and no one would buy it.
If you have some money on hand, the best solution then would be to buy the hardware from one manufacturer and buy the software from another.
Menneisyys
10-30-2005, 09:21 PM
If you have some money on hand, the best solution then would be to buy the hardware from one manufacturer and buy the software from another.

Unfortunately, it won't really work. Very few third-party remote apps support the Total Remote / UltraMote extenders.
Menneisyys
10-30-2005, 09:21 PM
(Posted a slightly updated review.)
WorksForTurkeys
10-30-2005, 09:25 PM
BTW, before you decide you might want to inquire about Cardonware's upgrade policy in case you plan on purchasing a new PDA at some point in the future.
mrozema
10-31-2005, 02:02 AM
Hey guys, I just installed Total remote and it works great on my X50. I'm not sure what was wrong the last time I tried it, but today it worked flawlessly!
Rocketeer
10-31-2005, 06:01 PM
I can't get it to work on my X50v. I upgraded mine to the Windows Mobile Version 5.0 and although the program installs, when I try to run it a message pops up informing me that it is not compatible with my device.

I left a message on the manufacturer's site too.
R K
10-31-2005, 06:05 PM
Hey guys, I just installed Total remote and it works great on my X50. I'm not sure what was wrong the last time I tried it, but today it worked flawlessly!
Glad to hear it.