If it connects directly via wWiFi this means a lot of older devices that are not network attached can't be controlled. I am in Canada and have a Bell Expressvu satellite receiver which is hooked up to my network. However, Bell already provides their own app which is quite voiceover accessible and which allows me to see what's playing, select a program and set up the PVR function of the receiver for recording stuff. My Sony LCD TV which is about 5 years old is not capable to be connected to my WiFi and I think there would be a lot of people for whom your app would be more or less useless because they have stuff that isn't network or WiFi capable yet.
I think having a solution similar to the RedEye remote is better as long as you can find a hub that is reasonable in price. I haven't tried RedEye yet because the hub is $200, but I probably will try it this winter. I wrote to them and they claim it is Voiceover accessible, they are interested in getting feedback and told me that through the retailer they offer a 30-day money back guaranty should it not be to my liking. I have tried one solution, the RE Universal Remote, which uses a 30-Pin IR Dongle and while it works to some extend, it is not as Voiceover friendly as it needs to be and what's more, I am not at all interested in something I have to plug in to my phone because it is too inconvenient and I also found, and this would apply to any app no matter how well it worked, that simply the fact that I have to pick up my iPhone or iPod Touch, unlock it, go into the app is slow by nature especially if all you want to do is turn the volume up or down and I just don't see how I would ever use it over the remote that came with my device. The same goes if maybe you are watching a DVD and you want to pause it because the phone is ringing, I guess if it was an iPhone app and assuming it would controla DVD player which you said it doesn't at first, there could be a setting to automatically Pause when the phone is ringing just like music playback stops when the phone is ringing. Anyhow, there are many ifs and all sorts of issues. I like the idea of a universal remote rather than having 4 or 5 remotes on my coffee table, how cool would it be if Logitech put simple voice output into one of their Harmony remotes. Regards, Sieghard From: viphone@googlegroups.com [mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Louis-Joseph Auguste Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2012 2:15 PM To: viphone@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: Television Remote for Visually Impaired So, you would be happier if it worked via an IRtrans hub and controlled more devices. Our current design will not require additional IR support, because we will be connecting directly to the cable boxes via your home's wifi / router. Would having IR signal and requiring a dongle or trans hub be more practical for you than a mobile app that talks to all cable boxes via your home's wifi. On Sunday, 30 September 2012 21:42:25 UTC+1, Kevin wrote: As most appliances operated by remote control use IR to communicate; you'd need some way for an IOS device to transmit IR. I personally prefer a networked transmitter that does not attach to any IOS device. At 04:12 PM 9/30/2012, you wrote: >Hello VIPhone Group > >We are building a new television remote for the VI and Blind in >association with the Royal National Institute for the Blind in London. > >This remote will be a mobile application for the iPhone and iPad >platforms. We have just secured a partnership with TiVo and are now >moving ahead with the design. > >I'm interested in knowing what features would be the most useful for >the members of this group. > >Please tell me what would make the TV controller experience better for you. > >I'll keep everyone updated on our progress. Our website will go >live in about a month with me more details. > >Look forward to hearing from you. > >Lou Auguste > >-- >You received this message because you are subscribed to the >"VIPhone" Google Group. >To search the VIPhone public archive, visit ><http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/>http://www.mail-arch ive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. >To post to this group, send email to vip...@googlegroups.com <javascript:> . >To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >viphone+u...@googlegroups.com <javascript:> . >For more options, visit this group at ><http://groups.google.com/group/viphone?hl=en>http://groups.google.com/grou p/viphone?hl=en. > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the "VIPhone" Google Group. To search the VIPhone public archive, visit http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the "VIPhone" Google Group. To search the VIPhone public archive, visit http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone?hl=en.
