Harmony Link Universal Remote Review

Today I am checking out the cool new Harmony Link universal remote control device. The Harmony Link turns your iPad, iPhone or Android smartphone into a universal remote with most of the cool Harmony feature you expect. Read on for all of the details on the Harmony Link.

Gallery

3 images

Specifications

The Harmony Link is a hardware and software combo system. A WiFi network in the home is required to use the system. The free app is offered for the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, and Android devices with 2.x software. The Harmony Link is available now for $99.

In Use

I have been using Harmony universal remote controls for years. These cool remotes are the only thing that keeps me sane in a house where no one can seem to remember what inputs you need for what device. The Harmony remotes allow you to just press a button and all the settings change automatically.

Today just about everyone has a smartphone or tablet. If you are using the iPhone, iPad, or an Android device you can turn that device into a Harmony universal remote using the Harmony Link. The system works with an app that is free of charge and connects to the WiFi network in your home to shoot signals to the IR blaster that controls your components.

The WiFi system supports 802.11 b/g networks and can be used on networks with security as well. A computer is required for the initial setup. To set the system up you just enter the name of the component and its model number into the setup page. All of the buttons and controls are programmed automatically after that.

Once all of your components are programmed, you can set up your activities like on any other Harmony remote. This is the coolest part of the Harmony Link and allows you to press one button and all the inputs are changed for you by telling the software what components and settings you use for things like watching TV or playing games. The app offers an onscreen programming guide and you can touch the show you want to watch on the screen and it will go to the channel on your TV.

The app can be programmed to control up to right different devices from 5,000 different products and models. The Harmony Link also ships with an IR blaster so you can control you components even if they are in another room or are behind cabinet doors.

The Harmony Link is easy to use and works well. The only downside for me was that there are no physical buttons. I don’t look down at my Harmony One remote unless I am using a virtual button. The main buttons for volume and pause play I can find by feel. It’s a pain to have to look down and find the virtual button you want each time. That is far from a deal breaker though since you can control some of these main buttons with gestures.

Verdict

Conclusion

The Harmony Link is a very nice device that is easy to use and works very well.

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