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Dijit’s app is a nice looking remote app designed for iPhone and iPod touch. However it’s surprising that this app is not optimized for the iPad, given that the unit’s package has a picture of an iPad running the app. Therefore, I suggest you try it on your iDevice before buying the Griffin Beacon. The app also has tons of tiny buttons which you may dislike if you have large fingers.
The app uses your TV provider and zip code to generate a searchable program guide, providing descriptions of the programs that have been organized by channels, dates and times. Simply click on the program that you want to watch and go directly to the channel it’s playing on. The number scrolling bar on the right hand side lets you search through the program listings within seconds. The app also allows you to save shows, and access detailed listings of the shows and movies on your Netflix Instant Queue. Dijit’s app also provides support for Roku box, though we haven’t tested it. The only limitation of the guide portion is the lack of landscape view.
Dijit does a nice job by walking you through a series of prompts to set up your cable box, TV, and at times your receiver; however it leaves you to add additional devices such as your DVD players, Apple TVs etc., on your own. Each device can be set up either through a wizard or through a list mode. In both cases the app finds an existing, working remote solution within no time. You can also set up multiple rooms, where you can configure more Beacon units in other rooms. We only tested with one stone, so couldn’t test this feature. A clever feature, but most people won’t use it.
Additionally, if you want to customize your iPhone universal remote to manage more than one activity, problems arise. The task of setting up custom activities for multiple devices is very confusing and at times limiting because the app keeps forgetting the buttons.
Lastly, there are Settings, which allow you to edit your viewing activity, change gestures, volume settings, toggle sound effects and access the help button.
