Can You Use the Droid Incredible as an Infrared Remote Control?

You can eliminate the hassle of multiple device remotes and control your entire home entertainment system from your HTC Droid Incredible smartphone. Infrared support, however, may present an issue -- though many newer Android models are equipped with infrared functionality, earlier ones like the Droid Incredible simply aren't. As a result, some of your entertainment equipment may require a separate IR receiver or transmitter to get things working. For the entertainment devices using the same wireless network as your phone, however, you can do it with just an app.

Many modern entertainment devices, like smart TVs, DVD players and media streamers, rely on an Internet connection. You can take advantage of this same signal -- and an application or two -- to turn your smartphone into a universal remote control. For manufacturer-specific controls that resemble the real remote's layout, search the Google Play Store for "remote" and your brand name -- for example, "Panasonic Viera remote" or "Roku remote." For a universal option that supports whole-house programming -- like the TV and DVD player, plus lighting and air conditioning -- try Dijit, iRule or Zmart.

Earlier generations of Android smartphones -- like the HTC Droid Incredible -- need some help connecting with entertainment devices that aren't Web-connected. You'll still use an app on the phone, but will need an infrared beacon or infrared dongle to act as a go-between. This converts the phone's wireless signal into infrared, then transmits it to the appropriate device. An infrared beacon -- like the RedEye base station or Griffin Beacon -- gets plugged into the non-wireless equipment. A dongle, on the other hand -- like the RedEye Mini or Zmart -- gets plugged into your phone.