Proximis NetRemote: Turn Your Pocket PC Into a WiFi Universal Remote

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000440022999/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000440022999/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"With NetRemote, Windows users are able to browse their PC's music by artist, genre, playlist, title or even by album cover, adjust the volume, and let the music play from anywhere in their house via the their wireless network. What's more, if your Pocket PC has an IR transmitter, the application turns your handheld into a universal learning remote that can take advantage of the thousands of Philips Pronto CCF files to instantly control all of you home A/V gear."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20041214_promixis.jpg" /><br /><br />No doubt some of you have used your Pocket PCs for evil, surreptitiously switching from SoapNet to the MonsterTruck Channel. For only $19.99, you can choose NetRemote IR, which will let your Pocket PC control IR devices. OR, you can choose (for $19.99) NetRemote LE, which will control your media player via WiFi. Or if you're really wild and crazy, you can spend another 10 spot to get both wrapped up in one package in the guise of NetRemote Pro, which throws in home automation control, Wake-On-Lan support, and a bunch of other cool stuff. Oh, and it looks like they've got iTunes support "coming soon". Anyone interested in this?

[TheOrange]

What is the difference between this and the Nevo package that comes with the HP rx3115?

[WyattEarp]

What is the difference between this and the Nevo package that comes with the HP rx3115?

The ability to use Wifi just like an IR remote. Nevo is IR only as far as I know and so far only comes built-in with certain iPAQs and can't be added on to just any device.

[Menneisyys]

"With NetRemote, Windows users are able to browse their PC's music by artist, genre, playlist, title or even by album cover, adjust the volume, and let the music play from anywhere in their house via the their wireless network. "


I wonder how this app compares to Total Input Elite ( http://www.xronox.com/XronoxSite/TotalInputEliteInfo.aspx ). Total Input is said to be able to support much more apps on the desktops and is customizable. ("Design custom Control Themes for your TV, CD or DVD applications or use it for presentation applications like PowerPoint.")

Also, RemoteAmp (http://www.download.com/RemoteAmp/3000-2178_4-10324448.html) can be a serious contender.

[popabawa]

NetRemote Pro's real benefit over Total Input Elite is it's integration with Girder (http://www.promixis.com/products.php?section=girder) and an IR Reciever / Blaster such as USB-UIRT (http://www.usbuirt.com/).

The power and level of customisation of this setup is immense. Obviously this also makes it a tad more expensive!

For example, I can use NetRemote (with one button) to fire up my MAME emulator on my 'media' PC, switch the AV and audio input on my AMP (using the IR blaster) to the correct channel and then get busy with a bit of 'Moon Cresta' or 'Ms Pacman' and I can use my iPAQ as the controller if I can't be bothered walking ALL the way across to room to pick up my gamepad!

Iain.

[omikron.sk]

why not to use VNC instead of this software? - it is much more usable IMO

[popabawa]

why not to use VNC instead of this software? - it is much more usable IMO

For me, because of the integration with Girder. One keypress or buttontap can run a massively complex 'macro'. With VNC, one 'tap' doesn't even log you on.

There is also two-way control with girder. NetRemote can receive data through Girder, for example you can browse and control your music collection by album cover (which is all stored on the remote PC).

NetRemote is more about Home Automation (you can even intregrate it with all your X10 goodies), and not (necessarily) remote operation of another PC which is (IMHO) what you'd use VNC for.

Even if you aren't using Girder there's a lot of natively supported app's (Windows Media Player for example) that are much easier to control with NetRemote than VNC. It's possible using VNC but on a Pocket PC screen there's a lot of scrolling going on...

[cubed]

I've been using Girder from Promixis now for the last three months. With simple scripting, I am able to control all my playlists on my music server with my Firefly Snapstream remote. I can use iTunes, Winamp, and other custom functions as well.

Although I haven't tried the NetRemote, Promixis software products seem to work very well. Check out their open source plugins and you can begin to get an idea of the potential for these products.

[Menneisyys]

why not to use VNC instead of this software? - it is much more usable IMO

Well, it's an overkill. By using these programs, you can devote the entire screen surface to one program and assign some large, easily finger-pressable keys to to any desktop functionality. Don't have to drag small sliders (and repeat it at least 5 times until it really works) or press small buttons with a stylus. Much easier.

BTW, there're quite good alternatives to VNC. Lately, I've used PocketConsole a lot; it's working pretty good even though USB AS. I'd say it's much better than VNC used on a PPC.