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New Mobile Accessory Combines Smartphone Software and Whole Home Wireless Remote Control Functionality

tvCompass Inc., a software and services solution provider for smartphone and mobile internet devices, introduced today at CEDIA EXPO 2009 a next generation wireless universal control solution aimed at unifying smartphones, Internet services and home theater devices. In support of this new TV entertainment paradigm tvCompass has developed an end to end solution to provide navigation, guidance and control of the digital home on mobile smart phone devices and wireless Internet appliances. The solution is designed to support the new class of consumer devices including Apple iPhones and WiFi iPods, Google Android based smart phones and embedded devices, Windows Mobile smart phones, WiFi Mobile Internet Devices, wireless tablets and Netbook PCs.

The new tvCompass patented HomeVue™ IP to IR bridge serves as a wireless accessory, that turns a smartphone device such as an iPhone into a RF based whole home controller for use with virtually home theater system component including, cable and satellite set top boxes, DVRs, DVD players and HDTVs. The HomeVue offering consists of tvMobile™ application software designed for smartphones, Netbook computers and mobile Internet devices and paired with the wireless bridge accessory. HomeVue is designed as a low entry cost solution for OEMs, and as a price effective mobile, PC and Netbook wireless accessory for consumers. tvCompass expects MSRP targets to range from $149 to $49 based on a design efficient product cost and licensing program for OEMs and manufacturers. The HomeVue bridge utilizes Z-Wave wireless RF technology to support audio-video device control, and enable the expansion of home automation networks (HAN) and energy management applications and services for control of lights, cameras, thermostat systems and other popular HAN components. A key feature of the HomeVue wireless bridge accessory is a patented and proprietary implementation that eliminates the need for WiFi security code set up – thereby reducing the complexity of consumer set up and improving product adoption in the long term.

“According to our recent report, Mobile Services: Global Outlook, worldwide smartphone sales are expected to grow from 158 million to more than 300 million between 2009 and 2013,” said Kurt Scherf, vice president and principal analyst at Parks Associates. “With a strong need by consumers to simplify the in- and out-of-home control of consumer electronics, a desire to access of media regardless of location, and easily integrate new features such as home controls, the HomeVue™ IP will help to enhance the digital lifestyle.”

“We’re seeing tremendous growth in the number of Z-Wave products addressing the convergence of home control and entertainment,” said Raoul Wijgergangs, chairman of the Z-Wave Alliance.. “We’re excited to be partnering with tvCompass to bring the benefits of wireless home control to smartphones and provide consumers with one-touch control of their entire homes in the palm of their hands.”

“After analyzing the smartphone and mobile Internet device market, it was clear that consumers were bullish on the utility of their new devices and their usefulness for digital music, video, social networking and a multitude of applications. We felt that the next evolution would be to put useful home control in the palm of their hands by using an icon based interactive program guide to find their favorite show and tune their set top box from the smartphone,” said Edward Zylka, tvCompass’s CEO. “Even when consumers are away from home, they can discover a new TV show and set up remote record on their DVR, or better yet, use the guide to find their favorite TV episode and watch it away from home,.”

A patented feature of the IPG, DirecTune™ enables direct control and tuning of TVs and set top boxes directly from a TV listing selection on a mobile device, either using IR or IP commands via the HomeVue wireless accessory. The IPG also features remote DVR network access and control using IP and web service interfaces to popular set top boxes and DVRs; this consumer feature lets viewers remotely record their favorite TV outside the home, and access their recorded content and engage in catch up TV when travelling. Flexible application interfaces can be integrated with a variety of popular social networks, and currently include Twitter and Facebook.

“A significant client feature of the tvCompass mobile platform is a patented and proprietary IP network connected advanced Interactive Program Guide solution. The tvMobile IPG application and service offers consumers an intuitive way to discover, interact and control digital media and content, within and outside the home on second screen mobile Internet devices,” noted Ravi Mazumdar, VP Engineering, tvCompass.