Remote Control Apps, Using Your Android or iOS Device as Your Control Center
A great way to control your HTPC is by using remote control apps. These applications allow you to control your devices by using just a mobile phone or tablet. All you need is an iPhone, iPad, or iTouch with iOS or a device that runs Android.
A number of people will ask, “why shouldn’t I just use the remote that comes with the device?” Here’s a few great reasons.
Let’s say you have a Roku and Apple TV, these remote control apps will nicely consolidate all those remotes into one central device. No need to buy or configure an expensive universal remote.
These remotes use an infrared signal. So in order to communicate with the device, it needs to be within line of sight. Using a remote control app is a nice work around for those with a clean setup.
No need to worry about batteries. The Apple TV uses a CR2032 battery, the round and flat kind. It’s unlikely you’ll have one of those laying around when it dies.
We also can’t forget about the people who custom build their own htpc. Ditch the wireless keyboard + mouse and install a simple remote control app to navigate through your media center application. We’ll talk about the solutions that exsist for Plex, XBMC, and Boxee.
Apple TV Remote Control Apps
iOS – Remote
Free from the app store, Remote turns your iPhone, iPad, or iTouch into a remote control
http://www.apple.com/itunes/remote/
iOS – Rowmote
Custom developed app for your iOS device. Price tag of $0.99 or $4.99 for the pro version
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rowmote-remote-control-for/id300265786?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rowmote-pro-remote-control/id315316036?mt=8
Android –
No app developed as of yet.
Roku Remote Control Apps
iOS – Roku
Free app developed by Roku that turns your iOS device into a Roku streaming player remote control
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/roku/id482066631?ls=1&mt=8
iOS – Dijit Universal Remote
This free app will automatically detect your Roku player upon start up
http://www.dijit.tv/
Android – Roku Remote
Developed by a third party, this app will let you control your Roku player from your Android phone
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.greggreno.rokuremote&hl=en
Android – RokuByte
Price tag of $1.99, custom developed by a third party, multiple Roku player support
http://rokubyteapp.appspot.com/
Android – DVPRemote
Priced at $2.99 this app supports most functions a standard Roku remote has. It also allows you to create a custom layout
http://claytongrafix.com/pirey4/apps/DVPRemote.html
It appears that Roku will be release their own version in the near future.
WD TV Live Remote Control Apps
iOS – WD TV Remote
Free iOS solution developed by Western Digital
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wd-tv-remote/id488301648?mt=8
iOS – WD TV Live Remote
For $2.99 pick up this app to control your WD TV Live remotely
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wd-tv-live-remote/id377667642?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Android – WD TV Remote
Free iOS solution developed by Western Digital
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.wdc.wdremote
Android – WD TV MediaPlayers Remote
Alternative free Android solution developed by third party
http://www.appbrain.com/app/wdtv-mediaplayers-remote/com.osdmod.remote
XBMC Remote Control Apps
iOS – XBMC Remote
Complete control of your XBMC on your iOS device
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/xbmc-remote/id289316916?mt=8
Android – Offical XBMC Remote
Free offical XBMC remote developed and release by TEAM-XBMC
https://market.android.com/details?id=org.xbmc.android.remote&hl=en
Plex Remote Control Apps
iOS – Plex for iOS
Official control center released by Plex, Inc. price of $4.99
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/plex/id383457673?mt=8
Android – Plex for Android
Official remote control app developed by Plex, Inc. price tag of $4.99
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.plexapp.android&feature=related_apps#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEwOSwiY29tLnBsZXhhcHAuYW5kcm9pZCJd
Boxee Remote Control Apps
iOS – Boxee Remote
Free Boxee remote control app developed by the creators of Boxee
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/boxee-remote/id305171838?mt=8
Android – Boxee Wifi Remote
Third party developed Boxee remote
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.sunilsadasivan.Boxee&hl=en
Other Remote Control Apps
One of our readers recommends
Android – Unified Remote Full
“If you need to control a Windows 7 based HTPC, look no further than Unified Remote for Android. Best 4 bucks I’ve ever spent. Control XBMC, Boxee, Hulu, WMP, WinAmp – you name it, WIfi or Bluetooth.” – Price $4.00
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.Relmtech.RemotePaid&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5SZWxtdGVjaC5SZW1vdGVQYWlkIl0
Whats your favorite remote control app? Do you use one that we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments below.
If you need to control a Windows 7 based HTPC, look no further than Unified Remote for Android. Best 4 bucks I’ve ever spent. Control XBMC, Boxee, Hulu, WMP, WinAmp – you name it, WIfi or Bluetooth.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.Relmtech.RemotePaid&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5SZWxtdGVjaC5SZW1vdGVQYWlkIl0.
Zim, I went ahead and added that into the section “Other Remote Control Apps” Thanks for the suggestion!
For iOS, I swear by hipporemote to control the HTPC it has built in profiles for common multimedia apps like plex and XMBC. You can also create new profiles or edit the existing profiles. I added a IR transmitter to my HTPC and used Configured it to control my TV and surround sound system. So I have one app to control everything. Also you can sync profiles using Dropbox to have them on multiple devices.
I completely agree. Hipporemote is the best remote App I’ve used. Great interface, cross platform, everything in one place, and customizable. I think there’s a free limited version to try, but it was the best money I’ve spent in the App store in a long time. Very easy setup.
i would like to make a suggestion. Ive been looking for a solution for some time. I tried the Harmony, but really couldnt control my mac the way i wanted. But i finally found my answer. The PS3 Blu-Link remote with Remote Buddy. You are able to turn on your tv and any other electronic, PLUS control your computer. Something that apps lack.
Thanks for the tip Keith, we will try that.