The Problem with Universal Remotes
We all know the story of universal remote controls. The problem is that they are not really “universal” at all, and users need a considerable amount of luck, or struggle for hours testing dozens of codes that may or may not belong to the brand of their device. The KlikR accessory aims to end this conflict once and for all by serving as a bridge between our smartphone and the infrared sensor of every TV, audio system, air conditioner, or anything else that uses a traditional remote.
The battery acid ruined it, the dog tore it to pieces, it fell and never worked again, its contact points don’t respond, the infrared LED burned out, humidity damaged it... How many stories like these have we heard about a remote control? In theory, a remote is not that complicated to repair, but there are many occasions when we must replace it entirely, and if we don’t get a good equivalent, we are forced to enter the lottery of universal remote controls. My experience with them has gone from ‘strange’ to ‘horrifying’. Strange because I managed to make one work with a cable TV converter (those that allow adding channels to an old television) from ’97, and horrifying because it never managed to send a single correct command to a Philips TV, despite the dozen codes available. There has to be a simpler way to control our devices, and that’s how we arrive at KlikR.
KlikR in Action
In essence, KlikR is a Bluetooth module that connects to our Android and iOS smartphones. The next step is to download its official app called Klikrnext, and install the KlikR near the infrared sensor on the device we want to control (the module requires a CR2032 battery that lasts six months). Once the necessary associations are made, the app’s database will look for the most appropriate code. The KlikR app also allows sharing remote privileges with another smartphone using QR codes, and logically, managing multiple modules at once. If that sounds suspicious... it’s because we’ve reached KlikR’s ‘catch’: one module per device.
Price and Verdict
In summary, KlikR offers the convenience of controlling a wide range of home accessories through your smartphone without having to battle with code lists or Chinese manuals, in exchange for $29 per sensor. The rest depends on the user. A ‘traditional’ universal remote costs about ten euros on average... but the nightmare of programming it is still there. The KlikR route is simpler, though a bit expensive. What do you think?
For more information, visit the official KlikR site.
