Use Android Device as Remote: Control Mouse-Keyboard, TV, Car

Smartphones and Tablets are used not only for emails or taking pictures, but in fact they can also be utilized for the use of universal remote. Universal remote is a type of remote control where you can control multiple electronic appliances by programming it to do so. With everything being converged to smart phone, the idea of using your Android phone as a universal remote control is not remote or unrealistic.

There are number of ways by which you can easily turn your Android based cellular phone into a universal remote control. Even though you may not change the channels on your television set due to the infra red option not available on most of the Android Phone; there is no question as to whether you can use it to turn on and off and control your home theatre, TiVo or squeezebox.

Apps which Turn your Android Phone / Tablet into a Remote Control

One the easiest way you can accomplish this is by using apps that can be downloaded from Google Play. Some of these apps are helpful in integrating all your electronics into one smartphone to streamline your options and usability.

1. Control the PC Media Player with Android Phone / Tablet

Gmote (link) which happens to be very similar to the Remote Droid is also available free of any cost and can help you make your Android based phone in universal remote. This app has the potential to become a wireless control for your basic consumer appliances.

All you need is to download this app with the server setting installed on the computer to be used on the universal remote control setup for your home. It is basically designed to control and categorize all your media ranging from movies, music and assist in organizing them into folders.

VLC Remote (link) lets you control your VLC Media Player on Mac, PC or Linux. So if you are a VLC player fan then this app is a must for your android phone.

2. Turn your Android Phone/ Tablet into a Touchpad Mouse & Keyboard

RemoteDroid (link) turns your phone into a wireless keyboard & mouse, using your own wireless network. The set up is simple, and although RemoteDroid requires a small ‘server’ app <download> running on the desktop it’s both light and straightforward to use.

Once the server application is running on your desktop you can download and install the ‘RemoteDroid’ app from the Android Market and run it. Follow instructions on screen to get going.

PRemoteDroid (link) is a similar app like remote droid, but it works over bluetooth and thus drains less battery. Also check, GRemote (link) which turns your PDA in to wireless keyboard, touchpad and analogue game controller

3. Controlling your Car Remotely with your Android Tablet/ Phone

Viper, Connect2Car and Onstar are some of the leading providers of remote services for your vehicles. Their hardware and software bundle solutions provide app support which is compatible with your smartphones and tablets with android and ios.

Check out the product ad video above by Viper to get an idea on how smart these apps can be and how much easier your life can be.

4. Pair Infra-Red (IR) Transmitter Plugins with Android Device

The main reason that Android phones or tablets are not being so primarily used for connecting to a universal remote is the lack of Infra red in them. This makes the number of apps very limited on them. There are two ways by which you can overcome this obstacle.

1. The first tip is to attach an IR transmitter to your android phone by using your own LAN. Once you are done you must send the codes for remote control access via a TCP. The only thing that will not make this work is if you don’t have a LAN or a personal computer near your entertainment system.
2. Second advice is not only hard but a little complicated. These both issues are with the prospect that the transmitter will not work with the analog audio signal. The idea is to use the IR transmitter that can be plugged into the 3.5mm audio output jack.

But if your Android phone does have and infra red transmitter in it then you are just a few steps away from the prospect of having your own universal remote control. The reason is that in this case all you need to do is to install an app that is like Gmote or Remote droid that will adjust your Android phone to make it the universal phone you want.

Guest Post by John S Lam of Pass Certification.com, has also contributed in the online expositions and provided the material about the GIAC Certifications. (He Lives in Valley Drive Philadelphia, and Blogging from In many Tech Commnunities).

Also Read : 5 Best iPhone, Android Apps Useful for Travelling, On the Road

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