L5 REMOTE – PRODUCT FACT SHEET
Product Overview
Comprised of an accessory and free app, the L5 Remote transforms the iPhone and iPod touch into a personal universal remote that controls televisions, DVD players, DVRs, cable boxes, audio equipment, and most other products that come with an infrared remote.
Product Features
- L5 Remote hardware adaptor measures 1.25 x .85 inches and plugs into an iPhone or iPod touch docking port
- Using infrared technology, the L5 Remote can control any number of devices in any number of rooms
- L5 Remote does not require batteries, Wi-Fi or external power to work
- L5 Remote can control thousands of devices, including TVs, cable boxes, stereos, DVD players, ceiling fans, air conditioners, and many other products
- The L5 Remote provides consumers with a powerful alternative for replacing multiple and often-confusing remote control devices
How L5 Remote Works
- Simply download the free L5 app from the iTunes App Store which allows you to drag-and-drop any desired combination of buttons to create a customized and perfect remote control interface
- A short, guided training sequence follows, resulting in a smart remote control that replaces their pile of old remotes with a single powerful and convenient one
- The L5 Remote will work to a distance of approximately 30 feet
Pricing and Availability
- L5 Remote is available for purchase at Amazon, B&H, J&R and www.L5remote.com
- L5 Remote retails at an MSRP of $49.95
About L5 Technology
L5 Technology is developing and marketing smartphone peripherals and accessories for consumers. The company is finding new ways to leverage the power, portability, and versatility of smartphones to take them far beyond communications devices. The company is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Visit www.L5technology.com
102 Comments
I assume the peripheral will work with IPad. Will you be developin gthe app for the IPad?
Yes, it will work with the iPad, and we are working on a native iPad app.
Will it work with a Ipod that has a hard protective cover over it. For example an Otter Box Defender Series case?
BEST NEWS EVER! I cannot wait to buy this!
Will it be able to power on multiple devices at once? For instance, if I wanted to watch cable tv, can I just click tv and both the tv and cable box power up?
@Victor: Yes, you can make a macro button that will power both devices.
Hi all at L5
Have you managed to make it control Bang and Olufsen yet? Thanks in advance for your reply.
@AndyT: Don’t tell anyone Andy, but the upcoming app upgrade will allow you to import and export codes for sharing, backup, and yes — importing B&O codes.
I have ordered the accessory. For now, I have installed your APP and designed a remote. Here are some improvements that you should really consider :
- Possibility to design a remote from a PC and send (import ?) it to iPhone (L5 Remote App)
- Give the possibility to change the color of a button (background) and his label
- More shapes for button : Triangle…
- Place custom icon on a button instead label or the one predefined
- Group many IR signals = Activity (watch DVD : open TV, change TV input to DVD, open Audio system, change Audio input to DVD…) => is it the MACRO button already available ?
- Assign IR signal for accelerometer gestures
You are probably aware that a new iPhone is coming out in June; will your product (accessory + app) be fully compatible with it ?
Thanks
I’m very interested in this product and want to buy it through amazon.com because i have a gift card but i am unable to find it on their site. Can anyone post a link for me?
Congrats L5!! Best software for iPs among the 5-6 in apps store. I’ve tried all those that allow designing the remotes without the hardware, and yours is the most user friendly, attractive, and logical. Shows lots of attention to details, telling me that you actually used it yourselves. Looking forward to posting positive review in Apps store once I can get the hardware from J&R. A few suggestions/requests pls:
-Re-ordering of remotes
-Copy & Paste entire remotes or just individual panels
-When moving panels up & down, snap them together so they don’t overlap
-Replace “Change Name” with “Change Panel Name” or something similar when editing the name of the panels, to make it obvious what is happening in that mode.
-Battery meter next to the time
-User forum?
@Passgad & Kmok7: Thanks for the excellent feature requests. You’re going to be very pleased in the coming months. (= Yes, the accessory and app will be compatible with the 4G phone.
@Jay: You should see it at Amazon by the end of the month.
What do you think about a haptic feedback. 30-50 milliseconds vibration on press and on release of a button. This should be in configurable in some sort of settingdialog. Maybe audio feedback too.
I have been dreaming about a device like this for the past 2 years!
Make sure we can buy it in Australia!
I’ve tried to design some remotes and it worked fine. But the remotes do not rotate, when the iPhone is rotated. Does that feature require the accessory to be attached?
and I have the following suggestions (some of them are already mentioned above):
1. some more predefined icons should be added. Here are some examples:
- the eject button of a DVD-player
- the yellow, red, green and blue buttons, which are part of many remote-controls (like TV or Bluray remotes)
2. user-defined icons would be cool (especially for tv-station logos)
3. export/import of my remotes (I’m quite sure to upgrade to the new iPhone in Summer, and it would be great to copy my remote-designs to the new phone)
4. the possibility to change colors..
5. startup of the app currently takes quite a while (OK, this might not be an issue anymore on iPhone OS4 with multitasking
). Maybe startup is faster, when the accessory is attached?
another missing feature is the possibility to reorder the created remotes.
I ordered this yesterday off l5remote.com but it didn’t tell me how it was being shipped…does anyone know ( regular mail , ups , or some other service)?
I am looking to control an old Pioneer LaserDisc Player(yikes!). Was wondering if there was any known support for such antiquated components? I do not have the remote, so I don’t have it to inform the L5. Are there any known Drag and Drop file options? Thanks.
I’ve just ordered of this website, as i live in Australia can you advise me on the length of time for delivery.
cheers
@bluejay: Thanks for the feature request. Look for a major release of the app UI, and we’ll experiment with this to see if it should be included.
@Greg: We’ve already shipped several down under. You can order on the website.
@Dieter: All of these will be included in upcoming releases of the app. Import/export will be available before the release of the iPhone 4G. Yes, the app startup is a predefined interval, which should improve with multitasking. Thanks for the feature requests.
@Hakkers: It ships USPS first class on the same day if the order is received before 1pm, or the next business day otherwise. You’ll receive a shipping confirmation and tracking number when it ships out. I’ll add this information to the sales receipt. Thanks for the post.
@Jeremy: In a few weeks we will release an app upgrade that includes import/export, and an online database that you can search and post requests for missing device remotes. Some people also use their Harmony remote, or a friend’s, to program their L5 Remote for now.
Ordered my remote yesterday and I’m super excited! I just wish your live support was up and running when it’s supposed to be. I have some questions about shipping that I’d like answered. I believe I ordered the product before 1 yesterday, but I have yet to get a shipping confirmation….
Will the L5 work with a IR adapter plugged into a ps3?
I received my ir dongle yesterday and hooked it up to my ipad. Two things I would really like are:
1) an ipad app to be able to take advantage of all that screen real estate i have
2) The ability to create an activity based remote screen. This would be a really nice feature.
3) Reordering remotes; should be easy for you to do
@RK: It works will all major code protocols, so it should. This is a good workaround until Apple and Sony decide to play nice together.
@Lloyd: We’re thinking the same things. What do you mean by an activity-based remote screen? You can design remote screens, panels including drawers, and buttons however you want. Explain what you want to do and we’ll add it in a future release. #3 will be in the next version I believe. Finally, what do you want to do with the extra iPad real estate? We have some ideas, but I’d like to see what people really want.
Is this compatable with an xbox 360, obviously not for gameplay but to play/pause a DVD etc.
Thanks in advance for your reply
@Tom: Yes.
Can you share the hardware device between iPhones and have the changes automatically work between them? My wife and I both have iPhones and our kids have an IPod. We all carry the devices with us and so would want to just transfer the features between the phones. I.e. Does the hardware contain the macros or does the iPhone app?
I just received the dongle today but for the life of me, I can’t get it to work with my Dish DVR remote. The TV remote works fine but the dish doesn’t. It has two small transmitters in the front and I double checked in the dvr system info which says that its in IR mode. There is a UHF mode too but thats for TV #2. Any idea what can I do to make it recognize it? Without it working with Dish, I would just be replacing one remote with another
@Tom: The codes live in the app. The next release of the app will have an import/export feature that enables you to backup to the web, and transfer codes between devices.
@caps04: This is a known incompatibility that we’re working to fix. The next release of the app will enable downloading of codes in addition to learning, so you’ll be able to download incompatible codes like the Dish Network. Look for it in about 4 weeks. Sorry for the inconvenience.
@wademcnary. Regarding more real estate on iPads, a couple of ideas are:
1. A mode that uses larger buttons and text for those with poor vision
2. A mode to display 2 different remotes side by side.
3. A mode with 2 panels. Left panel displays a list: Remotes, Rooms, Activities, Family Members, Favorites. Taping one of those would expanding downward to show any sublist, for example individual family members’ names. When there are no sublists, taping an item would display the chosen remote on the right panel.
4. I dont know how feasible this one is but here it is: Displaying a tv-guide listing within the app, and changing the channel when a program is chosen from the guide. If a future program is selected a macro runs to program the DVR. Tall order?
will this remote work in UK
As it is IR will it work through floors & walls for the 30 feet
Looking to change downstairs cable channel where the box is downstairs and I am upstairs
@Danny59: Yes it will work in the UK. However IR does not travel through floors and walls. Think of it as light that’s slightly out of human perception.
The problem with any remote on the iPhone is that there is no “physical” button. Think about it… do you look down at your normal remote control when you zap away? No.. you know their location by heart and feal. With the iphone its all one smooth surface, which forces you to actually look where your fingers are pointing…
Having to move my head up and down while zapping is bad… I want to be absolute comatized when I watch TV
But seriously, you should think about producing a rubber shell that would fit easily over the iPhone and that would snap on/off easily.
It could have a surfaces covered with a default layout of buttons.
And yes I know you need to have somehting conductive pressing the iPhone screen, this is not a problem as you can already buy special styluses that works with the iPhone touch surface.
Then you could have both the flexibility and the feel of a real remote!
I ordered my dongle on May 12th. The USPS tracking service keeps saying the same thing “notification of order received”. I realize it might take a little longer to get to Ontario, Canada, but I would have thought the USPS would have shipped it by now. Any thoughts on how else I can track the order? Thanks!
I just received the dongle today but for the life of me, I can’t get it to work with my Dish DVR remote. The TV remote works fine but the dish doesn’t. It has two small transmitters in the front and I double checked in the dvr system info which says that its in IR mode. There is a UHF mode too but thats for TV #2. Any idea what can I do to make it recognize it? Without it working with Dish, I would just be replacing one remote with another
I can’t get my L5 to work with Dish network…Any suggestions?
@Charles: I apologize. This is a known incompatibility that we’re working to fix. Look for a firmware upgrade in about 4 weeks.
Man, I sure wish that I would have known about the DISH incompatibility before I bought the dongle!! Everything works great except for th DISH equipment.
Wade, you guys should seriously think about starting a forum/discussion board for your product since Tech Support is virtually non-existent, I just happened upon these comments.
@Spinerep: We’re doing exactly that.
(sigh) I’m in the same boat as all the other purchasers that have a Dish DVR. I really think you should post a disclaimer on your FAQ and order page about this known compatibility issue. That being said, 2 questions:
1. Why 4 weeks until a fix?
2. What happens if you can’t fix this issue? Will you offer refunds?
Planning to buy this for my iPhone, and if it works well we might buy an iPod Touch for our lounge purely to use for Skype and L5 Remote. My feature requests include the ability to get pre-configured remotes, eg. in the UK the Sky remote. Having a remote that graphically looks the same as the original. In time I plan to perhaps customise my own layout, but as a ‘getting started’ it would be nice just to search for ‘Sky’ and have it pre-configured.
Bearing in mind our future plan to buy an iPod touch specifically for this functionality – how about designing a ‘dongle’ that will allow the iPod touch to be charged and placed into a dock without removing the accessory? Perhaps design it to mimic the shape of the dock end of the iPod touch. Presumably attaching and removing the accessory is going to risk it getting lost or broken.
We ordered 5 for delivery to Australia and they took 7-10 days. Great device but I have a slight problem. Some of the signals programmed from my Foxtel remote seem to send the signal twice or for to long a period. How can I reduce the duration of the signal sent? I might have the opposite with the power button for the TV, not sent for long enough but not in a position to check right now.
Advice would be appreciated.
@Dish-appointed: I’ll add it to the FAQ now. The new release will allow import/export of codes for backing up, transferring, and importing codes. We’ll enable you to download the Dish Network codes, and other codes as the database is populated. 4 weeks is 2 weeks for us to complete and test the code, and 2 weeks for Apple to approve. The approval process is a little longer for hardware devices than apps. If all goes smoothly, it’ll be more like 3 weeks. If you are dissatisfied for any reason, you can return your L5 Remote for a refund.
@Jon: As usual, the limitation in downloading predesigned remotes is legal, not technical. A rather large company has a patent on downloading a virtual remote to a touch screen device. We try to make it easy, while not infringing the patent.
As for a pass-through connector, Apple does not allow a female dock connector, so most companies use a mini-USB, so you can’t use a dock. This makes the product significantly bigger and doesn’t seem like a good tradeoff.
@Craig: We’ll investigate this. Make sure you’re programming the remote away from external light sources like TVs, sunlight, and fluorescent lights. If that solves the problem, let me know.
I know it´s for IR remotes, but wouldn´t it be great if you included bluetooth control for computers as well, ie, volume control, presentation remote and so on… Any chance of bluetooth remotes being included with this so I can also control those devices within the same app? That would make this the first genuine universal remote!
Also, please change your order form to include military overseas addresses. I would prefer to put my actual address, for which the state is AE (Armed Forces Europe). For posting services, it´s the same as if it were in the states, but allows those in the military and working for the military to buy your product without hassle.
@Cameron: We’d like this too, and we’ve been working on it for months. Currently, the iPhone’s Bluetooth only works for audio products which is why you don’t see Bluetooth/apps out there. When they get it working, we’re there!
@Cameron: Until I can investigate the checkout system, put whatever state you want, maybe AK, and email me the AE address. I’ll change it to AE on the shipping label and send you a confirmation.
Thanks for the reply. Just ordered mine. It’s the software of the L5 Remote I like – even though I prefer the idea of the RedEye somehow what I’ve seen of the L5 software looks better designed. My plan is to try the L5 remote for now, but if you introduce a Wifi/IR device in future it’s likely I’ll go for that if I get on with the software. Really looking forward to getting it. Please keep the updates coming.
Hi.
Is this compatable with the harmony adapter for PS3?
Ps..This is probably one of the best/smartest apps out there.
Ordered my L5 remote a week ago and here is the world first customer review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXCJbEc6W4c
Great product !
@Rune: It should work fine with the Harmony PS3 adapter.
Hi,Why can`t there be a way to download Remotes ie:Logitec Harmony .
For Foxtel for example where all the buttons are already on a screen?and
the IR is pre set .
@Trevor: This is coming in the next app update.
Every remote control is of a different design, so when in your hand you are aware which device you are controlling. This advantage of easy identification is lost with a consolidated remote. With the limited buttons available in L5 this gadget, though smart and excellent, is a no-go for me. I will change my mind when a variety of buttons of different shapes and colours will be available, as requested by several users earlier. I do hope this will happen before long? Thanks!
I have a B7000 serie Samsung led tv and I really dream an app with qwerty keyboard to surf the web through my television and remote (is deeply boring to do it through the original remote).
Do you think you can add this feature?
@Rollf: We’re programming this now, and it looks amazing! Lots of graphic options.
@paoleeno: Seems like a qwerty keyboard would be better on a iPad than a iPhone, but we can add it to both.
Is there a way where I can setup the remotes on one device iPad and then just update a file or bt the settings to iPhone plus wives iPhone??
Cheers
@ Kjoy064: The import/export feature will be in the next release. You’ll be able to use it for backups and transfers to other devices.
is this working with a german Ipod, too?
can i get this in germany?
Does the remote flip when the single is attached, because the way it’s showing without one, everything is upsidedown.
Yes. The screen automatically flips when the accessory is attached.
@Jens: Yes, the L5 Remote works worldwide, and the app is available worldwide.
Will the next update have a copy function so we can create a remote layout and copy & paste it to start a new remote layout?
@kmok7: Yes, the next version of the app will have a duplicate remote feature. You’ll also be able to transfer remotes to other iPhones, etc.
Do you currently sell the remote dongle in any retail stores, such as Best Buy or apple retail stores?
@Brian: It’s available in stores and online from J&R, B&H and Adorama in NY. Otherwise, it is available online at our website, Amazon, and a few others. Our sales through retail stores is beginning this month. It is not currently in Best Buy or the Apple Store.
Hi folks, thank you for this outstanding cool product! I received my Remote yesterday and it works totally flawlessly on my 3GS.
Awesome, thanks!
Thomas B. (Germany)
Where are the Dish Network codes???? Ive had my L5 remote since introduced and I can’t use it!! Come on!!!!!
Ordered mine yesterday, but would be very interested to know if it will learn codes from the apple remote? Then I can use it with eyetv…
When can I expect the new release? I will receive my dongle soon, but I do not want to spent a lot of time creating the remotes if I have to redo all the work later on when new buttons are available (and another layout is desirable).
@Jon: The L5 Remote works fine with the white Apple remote, but we have to make an adjustment to make it work with the aluminum one. Apple came up with a clever IR protocol that nobody else uses.
@Brian: It’s available in stores and online from J&R, B&H and Adorama in NY. Otherwise, it is available online at our website, Amazon, and a few others. Our sales through retail stores is beginning this month. It is not currently in Best Buy or the Apple Store.
At the end of May, you said 4 weeks until next release that would include Dish remote codes. It’s now at the 4 week mark. Please provide an update. Thank you.
Hi Wademcnary,
Are any retail stores in Canada selling your remote?
hi I’ve downloaded the app for try it before to buy the dongle but when I launch it on IOS 4 with my 3GS it crash is it an IOS4 issue or simply because we must have the dongle for try it
WheN will there be the next update to run on iOS 4? The app crashes on my ipod touch 3g with iOS 4. Hope you could fix that soon. Greets from germany.
@Dish-appointed: The app update is being tested now and will be submitted to iTunes this week. Apple’s approval process for accessory apps is running about 3 weeks. Sorry about the wait. We’re programming as fast as we can!
@Steve: Not yet. You can buy online for now. We are beginning retail distribution now, and ramping over the next 4 months.
@redon and Chris: There is a known compatibility problem with OS4 that appears in about 2% of devices. This was not present in the beta version of OS4. We’ve issued a fix that is is review by Apple. Look for version 1.0.7 in about a week. I apologize for the inconvenience.
when will the update that includes the ability to backup and restore be released is that the same release that will have the dish remote codes or is that a seperate update?
Hello Alan,
This is a known incompatibility that we’re working to fix. The next release of the app will fix this, and provide an import/export feature for all devices. The app should come out in a month.
Thanks for that quick answer
just loaded the new version of it and it works perfect again.
Hello Lars,
The USPS number is only for delivery confirmation, not real-time tracking, so you wont see the notice change. Neither will we. You should see the package in the next couple of days, but it can take 2-5 weeks or even longer depending on customs and local delivery. I do apologize for the inconvenience this have caused you.
Can you tell when the next update will be released and will it include an ipad native app?
Thanks
Hi Wademcnary,
I ordered on line and love my new dongle but now am wondering about codes for my satelite remote. it is a Bell Expressview 4100 Manufactured by Echostar Technoligies, In an upcomming update I hope?
Hi , I can’t seem to find an answer on whether the device and app work with the I phone 4 32gb. Has anyone used it on the IPhone 4?.
Hello Jon,
The L5 remote is compatible with the new iPhone 4.
Hi again, any joy on the B&O front yet?
I added the B&O BeoSound 4 remote to the database, so you can download from within the app. I need a B&O owner to test it to verify that it works. I you need more or different buttons programmed, please post the following information to the forum: device type, brand, photo of remote, buttons wanted.
Thanks
Yes. It works with iPhone 4.
can you look up your remote and get the buttons preprogamed and just place the buttons you want and use on the app. have ordered a adapter for ipad and have also started making remotes how do you delete a remote or rename one after you have saved it.
Wade
I have the original iphone but I no longer use it as a phone so this looks great for my needs can this control a Win 7 HTPC? If it could would I assume I would need a special reciever on the pc to receive the signal and do you offer it as well?
Has the QWERTY keyboard app mentioned been completed and can it be used for a HTPC also?
As you may already know there are some great new apps out in the HTPC forums but one thing we have yet to see is a decent remote
that we can offer the functions we are looking for and a back lit QWERTY keyboard that isn’t worthless and poorly made garbage like a certain Mini logi novo di that I wont mention and the horrible knock offs from China flooding the boards.
Is this the answer to our prayers?