© 2014 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
BOB SKIDMORE
CORRESPONDENT
We all suffer from remoteitis, the, “we have too many remotes”, disease.
While there is a number of universal remotes on the market that claim to cure this
by combining all your remotes into one, they most often seem to leave one or
two functions out. Ah, let’s also not forget
that we generally can’t locate the remote when we need it. Sound all too
familiar?
Well, here’s a twist, Zmart
is a remote app made by Aspinn and marketed by Viatek Products, that claims to solve
this problem. They provide a FREE app for iPhone, iPad and most Android devices
that is downloadable from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Prior to
operation you do need to purchase the Zmart Remote Pro, a small plastic sensor
that plugs into your headphone jack.
(TIP If you have an external case or battery pack
such as a Mophie, you will need to use the included adapter that extends the
jack. This adapter is flexible which means you have to hold it while aiming to
the device you wish to control. Naturally, you can remove the case or external
battery pack before using the Zmark and it will work just fine without the
adapter.)
Once the Zmart adapter is
plugged in and you’ve download the app you need to activate it. Now you’re ready
to program your phone or pad. Aspinn has over 95 brands with a selection of
over 200,000+ models that are preselectable, so you just have to follow the
simple instructions to add them to the app. If you don’t see your device among
all these selections, and they do add new ones periodically, it is possible to
but-up the device’s remote to the Zmart sensor and teach the app all the
commands of your remote. I did this with an older HD widescreen and it worked
well, however, it is a bit of a tedious task and requires some patience.
(TIP Zmart is not an RF device that sends out
radio waves, but rather an inferred operating device. This means it must be
aimed at the items you wish to control. It also does not use the Internet in
any way, so you can’t control devices from afar.)
My results were generally
positive. If you can use the Zmart without the adapter extension, it’s a very
useful tool. Would I replace my remote with the Zmart? I don’t think so, but
it’s handy when you misplace an original remote, or an original replacement is
no longer available. It works with most Blu-ray players, home theater systems, cable
boxes, DVD players, fans and the Smart Switch. The Smart switch, sold by the
same company, but not tested by THE GADGETEER, allows you to remotely control
most electrical appliances like fans, lights, coffeemakers, etc., with its own
remote, and also with the Zmart app, you can control them on your phone or pad,
too. Zmart is also compatible with the European Smartphone standard.
GADGETEER’s RATING: ****
MSRP: $24.99
For more information go to:
Graphic
credits: Google Images
Bob Skidmore is a freelance
writer, who may be contacted at bob.thegadgeteer.skidmore@gmail.com, or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not represent,
or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are solely his
points of view and not those of the manufacturer. The manufacturer generally
supplies products at no cost for the articles and no other compensation is
received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he feels worthy of
review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason for many superior
ratings. Some information for this article may be gathered from
various sources available to the author.
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