I'd like to announce a new iPhone app, Mote, that serves as a fully programmable remote control for any ethernet-enabled device(s) that use the TCP, UDP, HTTP, or HTTPS protocols. The app was designed to provide a full-featured remote control for use in home automation and home theater, though it has applicability beyond that. Mote offers all the features of an expensive home theater remote and more, including organization by devices and activities, multiple panels of buttons for each activity/device in both portrait and landscape orientation, full macro functionality, and gestures. Its programmable directly on your iPhone/iPod, with no external software required. Programming can be uploaded and downloaded to/from your iPhone/iPod as XML property lists, using iTunes File Sharing or Google Docs, allow easy sharing and editing of programming. Most home automation hardware uses the TCP protocol, and thus can be controlled using Mote. I personally use it with the IR blasting capabilities of a Squeezebox Classic to serve as my home theater remote.

For details, check out Mote at the iTunes App store ([Link: itunes.apple.com]), or at its web site (http://www.worriedcat.com). The web site contains a full description of how to use Mote with the Squeezebox Classic or Transporter, as well as a demo video and complete user manual.