Like the Peel before it, the Griffin Beacon is an IR blaster that converts actions from your iPhone into signals all media boxes can understand. But unlike the Peel, the Beacon does what it promises to do and then gets the hell out of your way so you can focus on what you want to do: burn time and watch the boob tube.
The Beacon actually looks like it belongs on your coffee table. Sleek. Inoffensively decorative. Imagine a polished stone sitting on top of an Apple TV — that’s pretty much what the Beacon is. Inside that ‘polished stone’ (which is actually slightly translucent) is the IR blaster which has a 180 degree shooting angle. The Beacon connects with the iPhone over Bluetooth, but needs the free third-party Dijit remote app to control everything. Which sounds sketch, but it’s not because Dijit is fantastic: dead easy to setup, completely user customisable and it includes a solid TV guide and excellent Netflix management within the app. There’s also an ‘Activities’ options which is a single button for customised series of actions, like pressing your Xbox button will turn on your TV, switch the input and then turn on your Xbox, etc. (a lot like how Harmony Remotes handle ‘em).
I’ve tossed my old remote behind me. I don’t need that sucker, using the iPhone and Beacon is just as fast.
It’s fingerprint friendly. And though you’ll never move it around, people who come over will inevitably pick up the Beacon and ask what it is, leaving their grubby prints all over it. Setting up a custom remote (one that’s not in their 200,000 supported devices) takes thousands of years. I wish it was rechargeable instead of battery powered and that the icons in Dijit were a little bigger. Biggest gripe: not having an iPad-optimized app.
Griffin Beacon Universal Remote Control System
Price: $80
Requires: Dijit App, 4 AA Batteries (lasts 2 months)
For: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (not optimised)
You can keep up with Casey Chan, the author of this post, on Twitter or Facebook.
SF.
Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 4:51 PMThis looks awesome. Will it work in Aus? Anyone know any local stockists?
Troy Hammersmith
Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 6:42 PMExpect to see the Griffin Beacon in Aussie retailers in mid September and yes it does work here in Australia !!
Richard
Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 10:54 PMShould have an option to plug into the wall to negate the need for batteries completely. I realise some setups won’t be suitable for that if you cant get the unit infront of the tv’s IR receiver without creating a tripping hazard, but for those where the TV sites a bit further back on the TV unit I imagine you could make it work.
That or you could position it behind the viewer on a shelf within line of sight of the TV still using a power socket at the back of the room.
Matt
Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 12:08 AMGet a Thinkflood Redeye, much better, iPhone,iPad, Android support and doesn’t need batteries. Customized GUI, multiroom and macro support.
Marcus
Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 2:25 AMTwo problems. Firsly each time you want to use the remote, you need to unlock the phone screen. After unlocking the screen, you then need to be looking at the phone/app to opperate it due to the lack of physical buttons. And don’t forget the initial hunt and peck search through your grids of icons to launch the app when you first sit down. I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt and assume that it at least automatically pairs with the IR blaster when you launch the app.
The existing solution is simpler. Pick up remote -> press button. We all do blind and with less effort already. Why make things more complex just so that you can replace one object on your coffee table with another one?
Mark
Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 5:43 AMBecause all of us have between 3 and 6 remotes sitting around, and you need to juggle between them to make things work. This is one device controls them all! Awesome and time saving.
Marcus
Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 11:13 PMOh, I get the value of a universal remote. A phone as a universal remote however has serious practical barriers. If you want a universal remote, get a universal remote, not an app. It’s almost as if you didn’t read what I said.
Reoh
Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 8:03 PM“The Remote isn’t yours you know!”
“Yeah it is!”
Jake
Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 8:15 PMHow does this compare to the Red Eye Remote?
Is it better or worse?
Paul
Monday, August 1, 2011 at 2:29 AMBe great if your iPhone didn’t have to live on the charger due to the worst battery life of any phone on the market.
glennc
Monday, August 1, 2011 at 10:04 AMdumbass review. ooh looks at home on a coffee table, ohh too many fingerprints. i spose it is to be expected given it is an apple accessory
Connor
Monday, August 1, 2011 at 6:28 PMIf it doesn’t work with my PS3 it is no use to me :-(