I’m looking at the Into Tomorrow interview video. I’m thinking with the size of the actual IR dongle, this thing probably won’t fit the iPhone with my hard case on it. My iPhone case is made so it allows just enough room for the official apple dock connector cable. This thing appears to be bigger (thicker) than the official apple dock connector cable, which probably means that unless I remove my iPhone case each time I want to use the IR remote, this product probably isn’t going to work out for me. Which is a shame because this is a product that I’d find extremely helpful.
Very exciting app. Not very exciting dongle. What about a wifi base that can utilize your existing network (unlike redeye) and shared “device profiles” that can be accessed on multiple iphones? With the release of the iPad, I am seeking a solution to the conventional remote and I am wondering who will come up with the best solution first. I would be more than willing to give feedback.
I have such high hopes that this will work with GE Security Supra locks that thousands of real estate agents use daily. We have been hoping for a way to abandon this ir key and have an app that works with the iphone to open Supra e-key locks…… This would be a huge market for L5!!!!
@Bill: We saw the iV Plus as well. It’s really a different animal. The L5 Remote is minimal, user configurable, programmable from existing remotes which is faster, and $50. The iV Plus is a combination battery pack/IR remote/camera light with significant heft, the UI does not appear to be user configurable, and it’s $130. We’ll be launching in a few weeks. We’re waiting on final approvals beyond our control.
@wademcnary: Waiting very impatiently for the app and dongle to be released. I was kinda hoping for it as a V-Day present, but what can you do?
Really looking fwd to giving it a go.
I don’t mean to knock L5’s vision (or NewKinetx’s seemingly identical vision), but I’d rather pay **MORE** (maybe double) for a NETWORK DEVICE (whether wifi, or wired) that my various iPhones and iPod Touches can communicate with that will use IR-emitting tentacles (in the manner of IR-repeating devices such as the “Hot-Link Pro” sold by MicroSmith) to drive my home A/V components. I’ve been customizing remotes for years. I’ve had a Philips Pronto. I’ve had a Logitech/Harmony Universal remote. Over the years, the JP1 remotes that I’ve customized through the years I like the best.
BUT… a combination of Custom App on iPhone/Touch –> Network Device with IR-emitting tentacles –> A/V equipment would be the best of all worlds.
I like the flexibility of a Philips Pronto, but the cost of each unit is too high to have more than one. I like to have his and hers in the living room and bedroom.
I like hiding all of my AV components in a closet for an cluttered look, which the Hot-Link Pro (IR repeater with emitter tentacles) allows me.
L5 (and NewKinetix) has a good idea, but I don’t like the idea of plugging and unplugging the IR dongle everytime I get home. I might buy the L5 dongles, but I’d rather buy an L5 network device like described above.
@Gray: We agree completely. Each product has distinct advantages. As you pointed out, the advantages of the WiFi solution are that it works with the AV equipment in the closet, and you don’t have to plug and unplug the dongle. The disadvantages relative to the dongle are cost and setup complexity. If enough of our customers ask for a WiFi version, we’ll certainly consider making one.
@James: The product is ready and we’re awaiting final approvals. Expect it within a few weeks. The people who signed our NOTIFY ME list, will be the first 20,000 to know! Thank you, James and everyone else that’s excited about the L5 Remote. Nobody is more anxious than we are!
I want to thank the blogger very much not only for this post but also for his all previous efforts. I found http://www.l5remote.com to be greatly interesting. I will be coming back to http://www.l5remote.com for more information.
p.s. I’d pay up to $99 if product is flawless. needs to do philips infrared codes (which alternate between two presses) and feedback of successful arrival and emittance would be a plus.
Very excited. Clearly this is an offering with tremendous possibilities with what sound like a simple user execution. While most other posts above would kill this offering by adding complexity, I wanted to throw my support and recommendation behind the combination IR & Wi-Fi idea. Love the idea of having both!
@Paul and everyone: I sincerely apologize that we were not able to launch as announced. The product has been ready and working since we demonstrated it at CES in January. Since we are pushing the iPhone technology to make for a great user experience, the approval process is taking longer than we predicted. Nobody is more anxious to ship than we are! Please bear with us a couple more weeks, and I will keep you updated on the ship date. Thank you for all the great feedback.
@Brian: Initially it will be available online at http://www.l5remote.com, Amazon, J&R, and B&H. It will also be available at J&R and B&H retail. It will quickly expand to other online and retail outlets though our distributors.
@Wade: It has now been another couple of weeks. Whose final approval are we waiting on? I have heard that apps are being approved in about a week not two months.
@Gary: The Re is similar. The main differences are aesthetics and price. The L5 Remote is smaller, cheaper, and looks better (biased). Our app is quicker and more customizable. The Re uses a database, which many people see as a benefit, but it increases the price and size, and takes longer to set up. If you’ve lost your original remote and can’t borrow one, a database solves that problem. Also, the Re database is on a chip, so if you have a new device, it might not be in the database. In that case, the Re is a little cumbersome to program.
If you buy one, please send feedback. We’ll also buy one to evaluate. We met the Re guys at CES, and they’re a nice bunch.
@Ron: The app is no problem. We did some fancy programming of the firmware that vastly enhances the user experience. Turns out it didn’t enhance the approval process. After a lot of back and forth, we’re back on track. Unfortunately we’re not the only company developing iPhone products, so when we say “Jump!”… it doesn’t mean anything. Believe me, nobody is more anxious than we are.
@Amy: So are we.
@Wade: It has now been another couple of weeks. Whose final approval are we waiting on? I have heard that apps are being approved in about a week not two months.
@Ron: The app is no problem. We did some fancy programming of the firmware that vastly enhances the user experience. Turns out it didn’t enhance the approval process. After a lot of back and forth, we’re back on track. Unfortunately we’re not the only company developing iPhone products, so when we say “Jump!”… it doesn’t mean anything. Believe me, nobody is more anxious than we are.
@Amy: So are we.
@Brian: Initially it will be available online at http://www.l5remote.com, Amazon, J&R, and B&H. It will also be available at J&R and B&H retail. It will quickly expand to other online and retail outlets though our distributors.
I, too, like all the others above want to add my voice for having the choice of IR and Wifi. But my preference is for the wifi option. Anyway, it seems you have a promising product which you will enhance further with updates in the future upon approval. Good Luck!
@Tim: We agree, and that’s where we started. The problem is that the remote doesn’t know what the volume is like the iPod, and Apple’s UI rules don’t allow using the slider for something that’s not actually analog. If we figure out a way around this, we’ll do an update. Thanks for the feedback.
I’m glad I checked when I did because I didn’t get an email notifying me about the arrival. Did the emails not go out or could there have been just a problem with mine? I’m just wondering because I would want everyone that wanted one of these to get one. More people buying these, more future advancement! By the way, love the app! so much fun and easy to use. Can’t wait for the accessory.
Oh, question on the macro button. I can’t get it to do anything. Does the dongle need to be attached for certain features to be accessed? I seem to be able to do everything else (other than the obvious, of course) without it.
@ jonas: the announcement is going out today. Thanks for the kid words, and let us know if there are features you want added. Yes, the Macros will only work with the accessory attached.
Well, there is one more feature I’m immediately interested in for the aesthetics. Could there be an option to remove all caps as the default? All caps might be nice for some buttons, but not all. And it’s difficult to keep hitting the shift key after every single letter to keep getting lower case. Perhaps having caps lock on as default, but if disengaged by the user, it stays lower case just for that button.
I have downloaded the app and set up a few remotes; now I am just waiting for the dongle. This is all for my ipad which lives in my living room. I really would like an ipad specific remote, that way I could fit all my remotes onto one page.
Is there a way for the app to know the state of the devices it is controlling are based on what IR codes it has sent out? That way the app could help you if things don’t work like the Harmony can.
Can you combine functions in a button? For example have a macro that will turn on various devices and change inputs etc as well as do the drop down? I am running a bit blind without the dongle but seem to me you can either do a macro or you can do a dropdown button. Anyway a few more days and i will know for sure.
@ Lloyd: Thanks for the feature requests. There is currently no way for the remote to know the state of the device. We’re working on some Artificial Intelligence features that might do what you’re suggesting. Are there specific cases you can name? The macro button is a command, and the dropdown button is essentially a folder. I’m having trouble imagining a case where you want to press a button and have it open the dropdown and send a command together. Can you give me more detail? Thanks,
Something silly but mildly annoying…..I have a full page with a dropdown button for numbers. Opens and slides down nicely, but when I close it stays where it is, (brings the lower sections up into view). Would be nice if the view returned to the original position.
Also, could it be possible to have a start section for each remote, rather than just the top? This way I could have sections above and below the main remote buttons…I have set up 3 remotes in 1, just using the main buttons. Could be HIFI above, Sat Box centre, TV Below….I suppose I could do the same thing using three dropdown boxes, just a thought.
I’m glad I checked when I did because I didn’t get an email notifying me about the arrival. Did the emails not go out or could there have been just a problem with mine? I’m just wondering because I would want everyone that wanted one of these to get one. More people buying these, more future advancement! By the way, love the app! so much fun and easy to use. Can’t wait for the accessory.
Oh, question on the macro button. I can’t get it to do anything. Does the dongle need to be attached for certain features to be accessed? I seem to be able to do everything else (other than the obvious, of course) without it.
Something silly but mildly annoying…..I have a full page with a dropdown button for numbers. Opens and slides down nicely, but when I close it stays where it is, (brings the lower sections up into view). Would be nice if the view returned to the original position.
Also, could it be possible to have a start section for each remote, rather than just the top? This way I could have sections above and below the main remote buttons…I have set up 3 remotes in 1, just using the main buttons. Could be HIFI above, Sat Box centre, TV Below….I suppose I could do the same thing using three dropdown boxes, just a thought.
I have problems…. I pluged the device in and went to the app and there is a pop up the text @Please wait while your firmware is being updated.
updateLine:3 line:0
I posted a question a while but no help yet, really appreciate any feedback.
When I use some buttons (arrow buttons, volume on my foxtel remote) I seem to get the signal for that button being sent twice or for to long, ie it changes channels up twice for example.
How can I shorten the signal being sent? I’ve tried pressing the button on the original remote for a shorter period when the l5 is learning it but it does not seem to fix the problem.
Any ideas?
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free. I truly loved reading your post. Thanks!
66 Comments
I’m looking at the Into Tomorrow interview video. I’m thinking with the size of the actual IR dongle, this thing probably won’t fit the iPhone with my hard case on it. My iPhone case is made so it allows just enough room for the official apple dock connector cable. This thing appears to be bigger (thicker) than the official apple dock connector cable, which probably means that unless I remove my iPhone case each time I want to use the IR remote, this product probably isn’t going to work out for me. Which is a shame because this is a product that I’d find extremely helpful.
i hope it works with the xbox360 too.that would be so cool!!!!!
@Ben. Yes, it works with the xbox360, no problem.
when can i get this !!!
Very exciting app. Not very exciting dongle. What about a wifi base that can utilize your existing network (unlike redeye) and shared “device profiles” that can be accessed on multiple iphones? With the release of the iPad, I am seeking a solution to the conventional remote and I am wondering who will come up with the best solution first. I would be more than willing to give feedback.
Thanks,
Tim
@Tim: We like that idea too. Stay tuned.
Is the l5 going to be on sale soon? Is it only available for online purchase? What retailers will be stocking the item?
I have such high hopes that this will work with GE Security Supra locks that thousands of real estate agents use daily. We have been hoping for a way to abandon this ir key and have an app that works with the iphone to open Supra e-key locks…… This would be a huge market for L5!!!!
Waiting with bated breath….
Looks like a great product Wade!
I have two original iPhones in the household.
Take a look at the upcoming iPad.
You could do some REAL interesting interfaces with that size screen.
Will the IR sensor be just on your site or will some stores carry it.
Seems like a great product for the price.
Best of luck to you.
Mike
new universal remote for iPhone announced:
check out MacRumors.com > iV Plus – Universal Remote, Camera Flash and Battery Pack
hesitating now which one to buy, could you give us an update when L5 will launch their product? –
Bill G
I’m with Tim and Mike – a wifi/ir linked to an iPad makes a pretty exciting home entertainment controller.
@Bill: We saw the iV Plus as well. It’s really a different animal. The L5 Remote is minimal, user configurable, programmable from existing remotes which is faster, and $50. The iV Plus is a combination battery pack/IR remote/camera light with significant heft, the UI does not appear to be user configurable, and it’s $130. We’ll be launching in a few weeks. We’re waiting on final approvals beyond our control.
@wademcnary: Waiting very impatiently for the app and dongle to be released. I was kinda hoping for it as a V-Day present, but what can you do?
Really looking fwd to giving it a go.
I don’t mean to knock L5’s vision (or NewKinetx’s seemingly identical vision), but I’d rather pay **MORE** (maybe double) for a NETWORK DEVICE (whether wifi, or wired) that my various iPhones and iPod Touches can communicate with that will use IR-emitting tentacles (in the manner of IR-repeating devices such as the “Hot-Link Pro” sold by MicroSmith) to drive my home A/V components. I’ve been customizing remotes for years. I’ve had a Philips Pronto. I’ve had a Logitech/Harmony Universal remote. Over the years, the JP1 remotes that I’ve customized through the years I like the best.
BUT… a combination of Custom App on iPhone/Touch –> Network Device with IR-emitting tentacles –> A/V equipment would be the best of all worlds.
I like the flexibility of a Philips Pronto, but the cost of each unit is too high to have more than one. I like to have his and hers in the living room and bedroom.
I like hiding all of my AV components in a closet for an cluttered look, which the Hot-Link Pro (IR repeater with emitter tentacles) allows me.
L5 (and NewKinetix) has a good idea, but I don’t like the idea of plugging and unplugging the IR dongle everytime I get home. I might buy the L5 dongles, but I’d rather buy an L5 network device like described above.
@Gray: We agree completely. Each product has distinct advantages. As you pointed out, the advantages of the WiFi solution are that it works with the AV equipment in the closet, and you don’t have to plug and unplug the dongle. The disadvantages relative to the dongle are cost and setup complexity. If enough of our customers ask for a WiFi version, we’ll certainly consider making one.
How about an ETA? Bring it on!
@James: The product is ready and we’re awaiting final approvals. Expect it within a few weeks. The people who signed our NOTIFY ME list, will be the first 20,000 to know! Thank you, James and everyone else that’s excited about the L5 Remote. Nobody is more anxious than we are!
I agree about the WiFi thing; the App should however offer both options, so I can choose how to use it.
this will be a really great app. i would be happy to pay for it, and pay even more for a wifi version.
Come on! I have been feening to get the L5 remote since the first time I heard about it. Any new news as to when it will be available?
Count my vote for the WiFi option.
Just not having to point, as well as the multi-room use would be well worth the extra cost for me.
I want to thank the blogger very much not only for this post but also for his all previous efforts. I found http://www.l5remote.com to be greatly interesting. I will be coming back to http://www.l5remote.com for more information.
@Jacob: Nobody is more anxious than we are! We’ll launch any day now. The product is ready and waiting for final approval.
@Scott and James: Thanks for your vote. BTW, how much would you expect to pay for a WiFi solution?
Count my vote for the WiFi option
p.s. I’d pay up to $99 if product is flawless. needs to do philips infrared codes (which alternate between two presses) and feedback of successful arrival and emittance would be a plus.
Ok thanks, I guess I’ll just be waiting till I get the email letting me know its time to buy one.
@wade
What is the hold up!?! I thought this was coming out in Feb, it’s almost April!
Very excited. Clearly this is an offering with tremendous possibilities with what sound like a simple user execution. While most other posts above would kill this offering by adding complexity, I wanted to throw my support and recommendation behind the combination IR & Wi-Fi idea. Love the idea of having both!
@Paul and everyone: I sincerely apologize that we were not able to launch as announced. The product has been ready and working since we demonstrated it at CES in January. Since we are pushing the iPhone technology to make for a great user experience, the approval process is taking longer than we predicted. Nobody is more anxious to ship than we are! Please bear with us a couple more weeks, and I will keep you updated on the ship date. Thank you for all the great feedback.
@Brian: Initially it will be available online at http://www.l5remote.com, Amazon, J&R, and B&H. It will also be available at J&R and B&H retail. It will quickly expand to other online and retail outlets though our distributors.
Yes! We are just waiting for final approvals. (it can be any day now)
@Wade: It has now been another couple of weeks. Whose final approval are we waiting on? I have heard that apps are being approved in about a week not two months.
Ok thanks, I guess I’ll just be waiting till I get the email letting me know its time to buy one.
any word yet when we can buy it im sooo excited i want one
Wade, do you think Re is similar to your product? (http://www.amazon.com/iPhone-Universal-Remote-Control-Accessory/dp/B0038Z45IW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1271923904&sr=8-1)
@Gary: The Re is similar. The main differences are aesthetics and price. The L5 Remote is smaller, cheaper, and looks better (biased). Our app is quicker and more customizable. The Re uses a database, which many people see as a benefit, but it increases the price and size, and takes longer to set up. If you’ve lost your original remote and can’t borrow one, a database solves that problem. Also, the Re database is on a chip, so if you have a new device, it might not be in the database. In that case, the Re is a little cumbersome to program.
If you buy one, please send feedback. We’ll also buy one to evaluate. We met the Re guys at CES, and they’re a nice bunch.
@Ron: The app is no problem. We did some fancy programming of the firmware that vastly enhances the user experience. Turns out it didn’t enhance the approval process. After a lot of back and forth, we’re back on track. Unfortunately we’re not the only company developing iPhone products, so when we say “Jump!”… it doesn’t mean anything. Believe me, nobody is more anxious than we are.
@Amy: So are we.
any word yet when we can buy it im sooo excited i want one
@Wade: It has now been another couple of weeks. Whose final approval are we waiting on? I have heard that apps are being approved in about a week not two months.
Ok thanks, I guess I’ll just be waiting till I get the email letting me know its time to buy one.
Yes! We are just waiting for final approvals. (it can be any day now)
@Ron: The app is no problem. We did some fancy programming of the firmware that vastly enhances the user experience. Turns out it didn’t enhance the approval process. After a lot of back and forth, we’re back on track. Unfortunately we’re not the only company developing iPhone products, so when we say “Jump!”… it doesn’t mean anything. Believe me, nobody is more anxious than we are.
@Amy: So are we.
@Brian: Initially it will be available online at http://www.l5remote.com, Amazon, J&R, and B&H. It will also be available at J&R and B&H retail. It will quickly expand to other online and retail outlets though our distributors.
When will this be available I’ve been waiting because I think it is probably one of the better accesories. Does anyone have a realease date
Would be nice to have a slider button for volume like the ipod app uses.
I, too, like all the others above want to add my voice for having the choice of IR and Wifi. But my preference is for the wifi option. Anyway, it seems you have a promising product which you will enhance further with updates in the future upon approval. Good Luck!
@Tim: We agree, and that’s where we started. The problem is that the remote doesn’t know what the volume is like the iPod, and Apple’s UI rules don’t allow using the slider for something that’s not actually analog. If we figure out a way around this, we’ll do an update. Thanks for the feedback.
I’m glad I checked when I did because I didn’t get an email notifying me about the arrival. Did the emails not go out or could there have been just a problem with mine? I’m just wondering because I would want everyone that wanted one of these to get one. More people buying these, more future advancement! By the way, love the app! so much fun and easy to use. Can’t wait for the accessory.
Oh, question on the macro button. I can’t get it to do anything. Does the dongle need to be attached for certain features to be accessed? I seem to be able to do everything else (other than the obvious, of course) without it.
After my first night using the App and the accessory I can tell you it is absolutely worth it. It’s awesome.
@ jonas: the announcement is going out today. Thanks for the kid words, and let us know if there are features you want added. Yes, the Macros will only work with the accessory attached.
Well, there is one more feature I’m immediately interested in for the aesthetics. Could there be an option to remove all caps as the default? All caps might be nice for some buttons, but not all. And it’s difficult to keep hitting the shift key after every single letter to keep getting lower case. Perhaps having caps lock on as default, but if disengaged by the user, it stays lower case just for that button.
Thanks again!
this post is very usefull thx!
I have downloaded the app and set up a few remotes; now I am just waiting for the dongle. This is all for my ipad which lives in my living room. I really would like an ipad specific remote, that way I could fit all my remotes onto one page.
Is there a way for the app to know the state of the devices it is controlling are based on what IR codes it has sent out? That way the app could help you if things don’t work like the Harmony can.
Can you combine functions in a button? For example have a macro that will turn on various devices and change inputs etc as well as do the drop down? I am running a bit blind without the dongle but seem to me you can either do a macro or you can do a dropdown button. Anyway a few more days and i will know for sure.
@ Lloyd: Thanks for the feature requests. There is currently no way for the remote to know the state of the device. We’re working on some Artificial Intelligence features that might do what you’re suggesting. Are there specific cases you can name? The macro button is a command, and the dropdown button is essentially a folder. I’m having trouble imagining a case where you want to press a button and have it open the dropdown and send a command together. Can you give me more detail? Thanks,
Something silly but mildly annoying…..I have a full page with a dropdown button for numbers. Opens and slides down nicely, but when I close it stays where it is, (brings the lower sections up into view). Would be nice if the view returned to the original position.
Also, could it be possible to have a start section for each remote, rather than just the top? This way I could have sections above and below the main remote buttons…I have set up 3 remotes in 1, just using the main buttons. Could be HIFI above, Sat Box centre, TV Below….I suppose I could do the same thing using three dropdown boxes, just a thought.
I’m glad I checked when I did because I didn’t get an email notifying me about the arrival. Did the emails not go out or could there have been just a problem with mine? I’m just wondering because I would want everyone that wanted one of these to get one. More people buying these, more future advancement! By the way, love the app! so much fun and easy to use. Can’t wait for the accessory.
Oh, question on the macro button. I can’t get it to do anything. Does the dongle need to be attached for certain features to be accessed? I seem to be able to do everything else (other than the obvious, of course) without it.
Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher!
Something silly but mildly annoying…..I have a full page with a dropdown button for numbers. Opens and slides down nicely, but when I close it stays where it is, (brings the lower sections up into view). Would be nice if the view returned to the original position.
Also, could it be possible to have a start section for each remote, rather than just the top? This way I could have sections above and below the main remote buttons…I have set up 3 remotes in 1, just using the main buttons. Could be HIFI above, Sat Box centre, TV Below….I suppose I could do the same thing using three dropdown boxes, just a thought.
Greetings, I enjoy your blog. This is a great site and I wanted to post a comment to let you know, great job! Thanks Amy
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I have problems…. I pluged the device in and went to the app and there is a pop up the text @Please wait while your firmware is being updated.
updateLine:3 line:0
Thats it nothing happends after that !!!
Please help
Hello Paulo,
We’re releasing an update that will fix this. Look for version 1.0.6 on iTunes within a couple of days. Thank you and have a great day.
I just wanted to say your site is one of the nicely laid out, most inspirational I have come across in quite a while. Thx!
I posted a question a while but no help yet, really appreciate any feedback.
When I use some buttons (arrow buttons, volume on my foxtel remote) I seem to get the signal for that button being sent twice or for to long, ie it changes channels up twice for example.
How can I shorten the signal being sent? I’ve tried pressing the button on the original remote for a shorter period when the l5 is learning it but it does not seem to fix the problem.
Any ideas?
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free. I truly loved reading your post. Thanks!
@Craig: That’s a new one. I’ll investigate this and post the solution here.