Product: UltraMote and UltraMote Extender
Developer: CardonWare
Web Site: http://www.ultramote.com
Category: Application / Hardware

Price: $20 – Software
$30 – Hardware
$40 - Both

Requirements: Pocket PC:
HP Jornada 56x series
Compaq IPAQ 31xx, 36xx, 37xx, and 38xx series
Toshiba e570
Audiovox Maestro

Software:
Microsoft ActiveSync
Desktop Windows 95 / 98 / Me / 2000 / NT / XP

Pocket PC OS:
Windows CE 3.x (Pocket PC 2000)
Pocket PC 2002

Pocket PC CPU:
StrongARM


Pocket PC’s are incredibly versatile devices and one of the greatest things about them is finding new ways to use them to organize and simplify everyday life. Something that most people will eventually try is using the built-in IrDa to replace an infrared remote control. There have been many shareware or basic remote control programs available, however they have sometimes been difficult to use or lack the features that make a universal remote control convenient. UltraMote is a small, compact application that will allow the user to program all their existing infrared remote controls into one program that will allow them to control all the VCRs, TVs, stereos, and DVD players in the house into one easy to use device. Any controller that uses infrared technology for device control can be used with UltraMote.

UltraMote does not come with built-in programming for existing devices. By using a simple learning method, the user must teach the program to receive and store the existing IrDa code, so that the appropriate code can be sent when requested. The learning system requires that you select a button to program and then press the corresponding button on your existing remote control so that the Pocket PC IrDa can receive and store the control code.



UltraMote allows for the creation of locations groups (living room, bedroom, etc.) to store sets of control screens and devices to contain the codes for each item to be controlled (TV, VCR, DVD, etc.). Up to 10 locations and 10 devices per location can be created. UltraMote contains support for Macro programming (multiple commands on a single button) which can be useful for turning on the TV, stereo, and VCR at the same time with only one keypress. Auto-repeat is also support for all buttons. Each device can have up to two screens of buttons allowing for devices that have many button commands. The hardware buttons on your Pocket PC can even be used for immediate access to important commands such as volume up and down regardless of which device screen is currently displayed. The button layout of each screen can be customized and you can even design custom “skins” for your device control screens.



The UltraMote program is easy to use. While the response of the commands may not be as fast as the normal remote that comes with each of your devices (TV, VCR, etc.) and in many cases will be slower, the convenience of having total control of everything in the room in one easy to use device is well worth the price of the software and effort to program each device into UltraMote. While Touch-Screen Remote Controls with the features of UltraMote have been available for a number of years, they have typically been priced well over $200. With a free 14-day demo downloadable from the www.ultraMote.com web site, I highly recommend trying this product to simplify that table full of remote controls in everyone’s living room.

Finally there is the UltraMote Extender. The IrDa is typically a low-power, short distance communication protocol. Depending on your specific Pocket PC, you will experience different range capabilities. The range will also vary depending on the device you wish to control since different devices have differing levels of sensitivity for signal reception. As an example, using the UltraMote with a Toshiba e570 to control a Sharp VCR, the maximum distance the built-in IrDa port could control the VCR was 8 feet. Most Pocket PCs will have a limited range that will make it troublesome to control all the devices in a typical living room. To solve this problem, the UltraMote Extender was developed to both expand the range of the IrDa signal and widen the “beam” so that you will have a broader control field from the Pocket PC. The Extender has a potential range of 50 feet, which varies depending on the environment, device to be controlled, and the Pocket PC. In the example above, the Extender was able to control the VCR from a distance of 25 feet. Over three times the distance without the Extender. The UltraMote is a Compact Flash card that plugs into a CF slot or sleeve. If you have a Pocket PC that uses a cover over the CF slot, such as the Toshiba e570, and you intend to leave the UltraMote Extended in your Pocket PC, you will need to remove the cover since it will be impossible to close the cover with the card in place. The UltraMote Extender is an easy to use hardware accessory, but is only compatible with the UltraMote software. Unfortunately that means that it cannot be used for data transmission, plus it is a transmitter only and cannot receive signals. The UltraMote Extended does require some careful handling. The two IrDa transmitting diodes are attached to the CF card by their connecting wires. This makes them fragile and prone to breaking if you allow the diodes to be moved or “wiggled” too much. The Extender would be much more rugged if the base of the diode was mounted into the body of the Compact Flash card. After trying the UltraMote software, if you find the program useful and plan to use it on a regular basis, I would recommend considering the UltraMote Extender. Overall, it really enhanced the ease of using UltraMote.



Pros
Easy to use
Inexpensive
Macros and skins
UltraMote Extender

Cons
No built-in device support
Limited Skins included
Many Pocket PCs not supported
No support for MIPS and SH processors
Fragile diodes on the Extender


Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars.

--Harvey Lee
PocketPC Editor