IOSPIRIT GmbH is excited to announce the release of version 1.1 of Remote Buddy, its software for completely controlling Macs via remotes. The new version introduces a beta version of its all new AJAX Remote, which turns the iPhone™ into an amazing, interactive remote control that redefines the "remote control" term.

Here's a quick overview over the most important news of this release:

• AJAX Remote: based on a brand-new, built-in webserver engine, offering quick and easy access to eight modules allowing remote control of a Mac® system through a web browser. Optimized for the iPhone™ screen size. The modules:
  • Remote control (control Remote Buddy just like with a real remote)

  • Trackpad (includes presenter tools, a mini remote desktop, multiscreen support, mousespot and navigation in presentations)

  • Keyboard

  • Menu (browse Remote Buddy's highly dynamic menu - including its embedded UI elements!)

  • Music (browse local and shared iTunes® music libraries)

  • Now playing (interactive "now playing" display showing cover artwork and track details, allowing you to change ratings, play/pause and skip tracks)

  • Movies (VIDEO_TS launcher with cover display)

  • EyeTV (view your recordings in EyeTV, zap between channels, adjust volume)

• Simplified menu: all supported applications and many frequently used actions are now organized in the top menu level by default, providing faster access to Remote Buddy's functions. The previous, more hierarchic menu structure is still available and can be returned to in Remote Buddy's preferences.
• Improved support for the Bluetooth®-based Sony® BD Remote Control

A special focusing on the new AJAX Remote can be found at http://www.iospirit.com/remotebuddy/ajaxremote/ .

Two demo videos are available on the Remote Buddy website, giving you a first overview of what is possible with this product. A complete and detailed list of changes is available at http://www.iospirit.com/remotebuddy/releasenotes/ .

Using Remote Buddy, users can fully control any Mac® using an Apple® Remote, Apple® iPhone™, Safari™, Keyspan™ Express, Keyspan™ DMR, Keyspan™ RF Remote for Front Row, Griffin AirClick USB, Sony® BD Remote Control, Wii™ Remote, SiK™ Rex™, a number of Bluetooth® enabled mobile phones or a keyboard. At Mac® Expo in Paris, Remote Buddy has received the MacGeneration Award 2006 in the category "Best use of Apple® Technologies" for its innovative use of the latest technologies.

After almost exactly a year of development, IOSPIRIT GmbH is excited to announce the release of the final version 1.0 of Remote Buddy, its software for completely controlling Macs via remotes.

Previously released preview versions of Remote Buddy have already won the MacGeneration Award 2006 in the category "Best use of Apple® technologies", have received top grades in numerous tests and uncounted love declarations from its users, who have downloaded more than 200.000 copies of Remote Buddy to date.

The most important news since the last preview release:

• English online help

• Switch between virtual mouse and controlling presentations with a single button press

• Improved movie library (a built-in VIDEO_TS launcher) with support for network volumes

• The context menus of Behaviours can now be configured via drag and drop as well

• Further improved efficiency in using system resources

• Numerous detail improvements and fixes

Two demo videos are available on the Remote Buddy website, giving you a first overview of what is possible with this product. A complete and detailed list of changes is available at http://www.iospirit.com/remotebuddy/releasenotes/ .

Using Remote Buddy, users can fully control any Mac® using an Apple® Remote, Keyspan™ Express, Keyspan™ DMR, Keyspan™ RF Remote for Front Row, Griffin AirClick USB, Wii™ Remote, SiK™ Rex™, a number of Bluetooth® enabled mobile phones or a keyboard. At Mac® Expo in Paris, Remote Buddy has received the MacGeneration Award 2006 in the category "Best use of Apple® Technologies" for its innovative use of the latest technologies.

IOSPIRIT GmbH starts into May by releasing the second release candidate (RC2) of Remote Buddy to the general public with a true firework of new features. The most important news in this release:

• Fullblown, virtual onscreen keyboard and Mousespot presentation tool

  Owners of a compatible remote control can now enjoy a fullblown, freely scaleable, virtual keyboard. The virtual mouse - existant in Remote Buddy since the first Preview - has also been further improved and can now - using the new Mousespot feature - gently highlight the position of the mousecursor. With Remote Buddy, media center owners can unplug their mouse and keyboard and use their remote control as a replacement instead.

• Emulation of a virtual Apple® Remote

  This, for the first time, makes it possible to use programs (like, f.ex. iAlertU) that usually require the built-in IR receiver of newer models on older Macintosh® computers. With any supported remote control.

• Usage and different configuration of multiple Apple® Remotes with Macs with an internal receiver, usage of otherwise unavailable hardware features of internal receivers and compatibility to OS 10.4.9 thanks to a kernel extension of its own

  Remote Buddy's drivers for the internal Apple® Remote IR receivers have been rewritten from scratch. Thanks to an exclusive kernel extension, it is now possible to fully use all hardware features. The usage, authorization and different configuration of multiple Apple® Remotes is now possible just as well as shorter reaction times, full compatibility to OS 10.4.9 and play and menu button presses of arbitrary length (previously limited to 0 seconds). An example for one possibility to use the new support for multiple Apple® Remotes: when using two Apple® Remotes, you can now configure the first to exclusively control iTunes® and the second for usage with everything else.

• Support for the IR mousemode of the Wii™ Remote with just one infrared light source (a world premiere), new energy saving options, support for waking the computer with connected Wii™ remotes

• Support for now more than 70 applications and system functions

  Among the 17 new entries are Democracy Player, Joost™, Lightroom® and SlingPlayer. Of course, users continue to be able to control, among other things, supported webbrowsers, audio & video, presentation and media management apps as well as games and control over parameters like screen brightness, resolution, refresh rate and volume with their remote control.

• Reworked iTunes® Behaviour including support for the Cover Flow® display mode

• The mapping of buttons is now completely unlimited.

• Further speed improvements, allowing the use of Remote Buddy on many G3 models

Two new demo videos are available on the Remote Buddy website, giving you a first overview of what is possible with this product. A complete and detailed list of changes is available at http://www.iospirit.com/remotebuddy/releasenotes/ .

Using Release Candidate 2, users can fully control any Mac® using an Apple® Remote, Keyspan™ Express, Keyspan™ DMR, Keyspan™ RF Remote for Front Row, Griffin AirClick USB, Wii™ Remote, SiK™ Rex™, a number of Bluetooth enabled mobile phones or a keyboard. At Mac® Expo in Paris, Remote Buddy has received the MacGeneration Award 2006 in the category "Best use of Apple® Technologies" for its innovative use of the latest technologies.