What Will They Think Of Next?: Your BlackBerry Becomes a Universal Remote

A Canadian company has created a software application that will supposedly be able to turn your BlackBerry into a universal remote control, operating all of the IR-enabled devices in your home theatre. That is pretty darned cool!

Called Unify4Life, the application downloads to a compatible BlackBerry, while the server plugs into a central location in the home. It will work with most popular brands and models of equipment, and each device is programmed into the system online. Unify4Life hopes to add home devices like a thermostat, lighting, and intercom systems to its control roster in the future.

Imagine leaving the office, and making a call home from your BlackBerry to say you're on your way. Then send a few e-mails while you're waiting at a red light. Come home, take off your coat, and search the 'net from the handheld for some good take-out for the family. Order it using, yes, your BlackBerry. Then plop in the couch, point the smartphone to the TV, and anger your husband/wife by switching channels even though the other person actually has the remote. Not only that, but also turn on the cable set-top box, search the guide, and even power up the stereo system. It's amazing that smartphones can perform all of the typical functions they do, but to add home control to that list is even more mind baffling.

Scheduled for availability this October, Unify4Life will sell for about $100. With so many third-party apps becoming available for the BlackBerry (and other smartphones, for that matter), someone better start looking into creating super-charged, extra long-life batteries. We'll be needing them very soon in order to fully enjoy everything these devices can do!

[Photo: http://www.unify4life.com/]

In Japan: Sushi, Karaoke, & Technology

What is Japan all about? In addition to technological development and traditional cultural values, it's also about simple things like sushi, green tea,...and, of course, karaoke! I have eaten more fish (the freshest there is!) and enjoyed more karaoke this week in Japan than I ever have in my life!

Staying in a hot spring hotel (although I didn't experience the hot spring myself), eating a traditional Japanese dinner in a kimono, and sleeping on a tatami mat are experiences I will never forget, nor ones I ever thought I'd experience in my life. An authentic Japanese fish market is a scene like no other, with determined workers scattered about, and massive pieces of fish striking up a frenzy of auction bids. The 400-year-old Matsumoto castle tests one's balance with extremely steep steps (made as such to keep enemies away). And heated toilet seats and bidets in every hotel seemed to be a topic of discussion and fascination among everyone on this trip.

Although the purpose of my travels wasn't solely to experience the wonderful Japanese culture, it was an amazing opportunity to do just that. Thanks to our gracious host, Epson, for providing a fun, fascinating, and educational experience. On the business end, this trip has inspired a future blog entry, which will examine the viability of projectors in the home theatre market. Everyone is hot to trot when it comes to fancy flat-panel TVs, but is there enough education out there about the alternative option of front projection, and to a greater degree, the improvements being made in 3LCD technology? There are many advantages to go this route: a truly BIG screen experience and easy portability immediately come to mind.

While front projection won't be for everyone, and might not sit in the centre of your main home theatre, it could very well be a plausible option for the basement, the cottage, and even as part of a dedicated "movie room" in the home along with a flat-panel TV. Stay tuned for more commentary, as well as my first impressions of Akihabara, which can be considered "tech-central" in Japan.

Photos: Waking up at 4 a.m. to experience Japan's fish market and watch an auction that sees massive, fresh tuna reach bids as high as $10,000 is an event to remember. At bottom is the group enjoying a traditional Japanese dinner in full fashion, followed by an evening of karaoke!

CEDIA EXPO Begins

This entry will be short and sweet, as I'm currently in Denver, CO attending the 2007 CEDIA EXPO, a trade show that caters to the custom integration market. Anyone into audio/video likely has some sort of "home theatre" at home, consisting of a flat-panel TV (or maybe even a projector and screen if your budget should accomodate such luxuries), speakers, and perhaps some other fancy-schmancy things, like home automation, music servers, and the like.

Anyone who has anything to do with custom A/V is at this show, learning, teaching, or just simply experiencing new products and technologies. These range from the high-end custom shops that cater to the rich and/or famous; to the traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers who have recently added "custom" to their regular floor sales offerings.

There's no question that custom is the direction the industry is moving as a whole. I think within the next 10 years, the whole idea of "custom" will be encompassed in the term "retail". Essentially, custom will swallow retail whole: if you aren't offering your customers some type of added value, whether it be to mount the flat-panel TV they just bought off your sales floor, or to connect that new media server to their Internet connection and music system, you might want to start looking in that direction.

Meanwhile, check out the Marketnews Website for some highlights of what's to come at the show, which officially begins tomorrow.