14 DAY TRIAL // Beacon is the name of the universal remote control system that Griffin and Dijit want to use on tablets and Android phones.
Essentially, it is a combination of hardware and software that should let any phone and tablet, as long as it is running Android OS, be sued as a touch remote control.
Home entertainment centers and even individual multimedia devices will be easy to handle from afar.
The Beacon Universal Remote Control System is made of a wireless AV controller and the Dijit free Universal Remote App.
Once they are active, Bluetooth signals from smartphones and tablets are converted into infrared signals that consumer electronics respond to.
“Android now has a huge following, and we are really excited about bringing our remote control and tv show listings app to the Android Market,” said Maksim Ioffe, founder and CEO of Dijit Media.
“Our mission is to create the greatest ‘second screen’ entertainment platform, and Android compatibility brings us one step closer to helping millions of people get a little bit more out of their TV experience.”
All it takes to get started is downloading the aforementioned free app (works on Android 2.3.3 or greater) and pair the wireless AV controller with whatever device is preferred. No wires, cases, dongles or cables of any sort are involved.
“With the proliferation of new Android-based phones being announced each week, Beacon for Android was a natural progression for us,” said Mark Rowan, president of Griffin Technology.
“We look forward to bringing the most powerful and easiest-to-use remote control to the Android user base.”
At present, Beacon is compatible with over 200,000 devices and can browse by time/date, search, discover new shows, and watch them with just a tap. Shipments are already underway, for $69.99 (50.69 Euro).
To help prospective buyers decide, Griffin even shot a demonstrative video of beacon in action.