Unify4Life's AV Solution (BlackBerry control over home theatre devices)

Have you ever wished your BlackBerry could do more? I mean, sure it does calls, organizes your life, keeps you online and in touch. Handles your emails…Right. Well, if there’s one thing your BlackBerry can’t do its' replace all those damn remotes in your living room. At least not yet. Markham, Ontario based Unify4Life has developed hardware and software for the BlackBerry that allows the user to control all sorts of electronics. A product they're calling the AV Solution, which is set for launch sometime in October of this year. So, how does it work?

This nifty little program is capable of interacting with IR-based home theatre devices. The setup involves placing the accompanying A/V hub in an appropriate location, installing the software on your BlackBerry, and then simply enabling the feature via the web on your device. Okay, so how about compatibility? “We support all major brands and models. Our list includes: television, set top box,apple TV, iPod, ITouch, IPhone, DVD player, VCR, DVR, home theatre, receiver, amplifier, clock radio and more.” Well that settles that.

The software isn’t limited to merely changing channels and muting Oprah; it’s also capable of streaming audio to amps and receivers from 30 feet. A handy feature for parties, bbqs, and general lethargy. Also included will be an interactive TV guide program accessible through your BlackBerry, so rather than looking at the 40” screen for programming details, you can squint at the 4”one instead.

What’s this package going to set you back? It’s actually rather reasonable at $99US, which offers the A/V Hub, software, and a 2-year service warranty.

(Perhaps even more interesting is that the company plans to expand functionality to include your thermostat, lighting, and intercoms, making for a very excellent horror movie premise where some helpless single mother looses her BlackBerry and some creepy dude locks her in her house and jacks the thermostat, forcing her into more and more revealing clothes, all while taunting her over the intercom and tuning ever TV into Everybody Loves Raymond reruns. Maybe Nicole Kidman as the single mother and definitely Gary Busey as the creep…)

Source
Unify4Life website