CSR and Unify4Life™ collaborate to bring a universal remote control application for BlackBerry smartphones

The solution consists of an AV|Shadow™ that communicates with a BlackBerry smartphone using CSR’s Bluetooth, and talks to other electrical equipment via infrared (IR) or by using IR Extenders. Users will be able to directly control a variety of electronic devices and even stream music directly from their BlackBerry via Bluetooth to an amplifier or receiver up to 30ft away. The solution also features interactive TV listings (UnifyGuide™) and channel changing functionality to allow users to browse program guides, set reminders on phone calendars and create a TV favourites list.

By installing the AV|Shadow™ into a central location, users can easily programme the device using their dedicated www.unify4life.com web account and download the remote application to their BlackBerry smartphone to wirelessly control programmed devices. The AV|Shadow™ can communicate with up to sixteen devices in a room and lets users control multiple devices simultaneously, e.g. changing the volume on an amplifier while watching a DVD.

As well as providing a robust wireless connection for transferring data, CSR’s BlueCore5-Multimedia is ideal for streaming audio to high quality headphones and speakers, boasting a best-in-class signal-to-noise ratio of -95dB. It also leads the industry for power consumption and radio design making it ideal for use in power conscious portable devices. The radio transmits at +6.5dBm and receives at -90dBm, which eliminates interference and keeps audio quality exceptionally high.

“This solution will change the way people view their BlackBerry smartphone,” said Mike Nykoluk Chairman-Founder Unify4Life. “With the help of CSR’s BlueCore5-Multimedia, BlackBerry users can now control all of their home entertainment products through a single device. A key requirement for this solution was a reliable and constant connection to the devices, but without compromising the battery life of the BlackBerry itself. CSR’s BlueCore5-Multimedia provided us with an outstandingly high quality Bluetooth connection along with minimal power consumption.”

“CSR believes that the future of the mobile phone is based around the concept of the Connectivity Centre, and the Unify4Life wireless solution is a perfect example of this,” said Raj Gawera, Vice President Marketing in CSR’s Mobile Handset Connectivity Business Unit. “By combining our Bluetooth technology with Unify4Life’s AV|Shadow™ we have developed an innovative wireless solution that takes the hassle out of managing multiple devices and allows users to control various applications directly from their mobile phone - and this is only the beginning. In the future even more home applications will be controlled by mobile phone, and Unify4Life’s demonstration at CES of the garage door remote is proof of this.”

Unify4Life will be demonstrating the AV|Shadow™ at CES in Las Vegas from January 8-11. Other demonstrations include Garage|Shadow™ (garage door remote), SoundGrabber™ (MP3 Player Remote Controlled Doc), Game|Shadow™ (PS3 DVD/Web Surfing Remote/Keyboard), Slide|Shadow™ (PC Power Point Remote), and Radio|Shadow™ (Internet Radio Remote Controller).

More press releases...