Audiovox has come up with a remote control hub, called Zentral, which allows Bluetooth-enabled phones to work as a remote control for various gadgets in your home. The Zentral receives signals from the smart phone via Bluetooth and translate the signals into IR commands to beam to your home entertainment (TV, stereo, home theater etc) and automation systems.
The Zentral is basically a little box equipped with Bluetooth receiver and IR transmitter that is powerful enough to bounce the IR signals off walls and ceilings. So, there is no problem at all how the Zentral is placed, it can just sit on top of any of your home entertainment equipment (As shown in the picture).
Currently, the Zentral comes with a universal remote control app for the iPhone, so you can use the iPhone to control various of your home entertainment and automation gadgets via the Zentral. There is also an application for the BlackBerry which allows the control of garage door opener.
The system plus the accessories all come in affordable prices such as the AV controller costs $80 and garage door opener costs only $50. More home automation gadgets will be included later such as lighting and thermostat. They will hit the stores in spring.
via ohgizmo
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