So, less than a week after we announce Threemote, we’re proud to launch our first public beta.  In a few days the Windows Mobile version will be available also.

Note: Threemote requires Android 1.6 as a minimum and is currently Wi-Fi only

So, first off, I must warn you all, this is Beta!  However, we’ve been sitting on the application for a few weeks in its current state and we’re really happy with the performance and stability.

In preparation, as this is a non-market application you need to perform an extra step to get the installation files.

To do this; on your device go to Settings –> Applications and tick “Unknown sources”.  If you’re unsure about this, don’t worry, Threemote will be available on the market soon .

There are many ways to get the APK onto the device.  The easiest by far is to navigate to http://www.setupremote.com on your device and download the software.  You must have an SD card inserted into your phone so the installer than copy to that.

http://www.SetupRemote.com

Once the software has downloaded, the next step is to get it paired with your PC.

1. Ensure that your device is connected to your wireless network
2. On Windows 7:
   1. Go to Start –> Devices and Printers and click “Add a device” (at the top)
   2. Windows will search for Threemote
   3. Double-click and follow the installation
3. On Windows Vista:
   1. Go to Start –> Network
   2. Double click Threemote on your Network screen
   3. You will need to enable Network Sharing, Vista should walk through this
   4. Accept any driver prompts
4. Your computer will download and install a driver automatically from Windows Update
   1. You may need to reboot if running Windows Vista

If the above steps don’t work, restart your device.

Once the device is paired and the driver is installed, you can now connect from your device.

From Threemote, press Menu –> Refresh/Connect.   Threemote will try to connect to your PC and then will enable by default the Windows Media Player gadget.

To enable more gadgets, download them from http://gallery.live.com/results.aspx?bt=8&pl=7.  Remember, you need Windows SideShow gadgets, not Sidebar gadgets.

Once you’ve downloaded and installed other gadgets, enable them through the Windows SideShow control panel.

As this is a beta, we’re actively encouraging all feedback.  Please submit all feedback and queries to http://www.threemote.com/contact.php.  With crashes or issues, please include reproducible steps.

Enjoy

One of these features allows us to install the Threemote software without needing any extra apps.  I am of course talking about PnP-X with UPnP (you knew that right?).

PnP-X ?

PnP-X or Plug and Play Extensions is a nifty feature of Windows Vista / Windows 7 that allows devices to be enumerated (discovered) through non-standard PnP methods (ie: USB).  You see, with Threemote we need a driver.  Without a driver, we’re … lost at sea without a paddle.  The driver allows us to get the content from the PC, but to install a driver traditionally you need a plugged-in device.  So, PNP-X does away with that and remotely we can trigger driver installs.

What does that mean for me?

Ok, so chances are you don’t care about PnP-X.  That’s fine, we’re done with the technical details.  What PnP-X means is that you can use standard Windows dialogs to create your device without having to plug it in.

So, you’ve just started Threemote on your device, how do you connect?

Well, here’s how (Windows 7 is cooler for this but Vista does it too):

1) Go to start and click “Devices and Printers”

2) At the top, click “Add a Device”

Windows will go off and search the network and Threemote will respond.

3) You select Threemote and click next

Windows will then ask Threemote for some extra data and voila, the driver starts to download and Threemote has a connection.

4) Threemote will now appear in your “Devices and Printers”

You’re now connected and can start navigating PowerPoint slideshows, controlling music or whatever it is you want to do with Threemote.

Don’t worry, we’ve put enough help screens in to the device to walk through all of the above steps.  And yes, Android does it the same way .

Until next time …

Well, there’s of course a caveat.  We’ve been using our own Windows SideShow engine in 3rd party CE devices for 18 months so it was about time we used it ourselves!

We decided to use Windows Mobile 6.5 as our reference and designed a really nice Glance screen to show off all of your connected applications!

Our aim is to synchronise the features in the Android and Windows Phone versions and so far everything is working to plan.

Features:

• Supports Windows Mobile 6.0 +
• Full Threemote Client with complete gadget access
  • Windows Media Player
  • Windows Media Center
  • PowerPoint
  • Many more …
• Supports many screen resolutions and orientations
• Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • Bluetooth support is planned
• Full integration with notification system
• Available very soon …

Beta:

As with the Android release; we want you!  The application is nearing completion but there’s nothing like a public Beta test phase to hunt out those last few issues.

So, head on over to http://www.threemote.com/contact.php and send us your details.

Screenshots:

Nuts and Bolts:

This particular Threemote implementation (along with the Golden-i device) utilises the Ikanos Consulting SideShow Renderer for Windows CE.  Through this, we can convert any CE 5 / CE 6 device into a SideShow device with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi access.  If you’d like to add Threemote to your own CE device, drop us a line.  We’d be happy to send demonstrations and walk through any implementation and licensing details.

The engine is currently used on a few announced (and even unannounced) devices and has also been ported to other platforms.  Well, we had to start somewhere when writing the Android code .

Having shown off a prototype of this device at CES 2009 we have since redeveloped this from the ground up and are very pleased with the results.

Features:

• Supports Android 1.6 devices or later
• Full Threemote Client with complete gadget access
  • Windows Media Player
  • Windows Media Center
  • PowerPoint
  • Many more …
• Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • Bluetooth support is planned
• Full integration with notification system
• Available very soon …

Beta:

We’re actively recruiting beta testers for our Android renderer so please, if you’d like to give it a whirl, pop in your details in the contact form (http://www.threemote.com/contact.php) and we’ll get back to you.

Screenshots:

We first started working with the talented Chris Parkinson and his team at Kopin in early 2008 and it is amazing to see how far Golden-i has come.  So, today we can reveal that Golden-i will contain a full Threemote client that connects to your PC via Bluetooth, WiFi or cellular!

Now, with Golden-i you can connect to a Windows Vista / Windows 7 PC and experience Threemote in its full glory.  Through the power of Windows SideShow you can control a PowerPoint presentation, change the music on your PC, read your email, check the weather … the list goes on!

More information on Golden-i can be found at: http://www.kopin.com/golden-i/.

How can I get it?

While we know that a lot of people out there want to get their hands on a dev kit.  If you are planning on attending Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, seek out Kopin or Ikanos Consulting.  Golden-i SDK units will be showcased and demonstrated in the Motorola (booth # 8A51) and Nuance Communications booths.

We’re really excited to be partnering with Kopin on Golden-i and can’t wait to see it out in the wild.  As one of the few people who has actually used this technological masterpiece, I can say that it is guaranteed to get any gadget enthusiast excited!

* This is real-revolutionary, not made up revolutionary

Specialising in PC remote controls, over here at Ikanos HQ we’ve been working hard for many years to develop interesting and funky devices for our customers and now its time to create something ourselves.

So we are proud to present Threemote, the power of the PC, away from the PC.  The best thing about Threemote is it uses the built-in remote control capabilities found in Windows Vista and Windows 7 (Windows SideShow) which means that all of your Threemote devices can control the same things without any custom, clunky software.

Our goal with Threemote is to convert all compatible mobile phones into remote controls.  We believe that having an extra device to hold just isn’t always practical, so why not take advantage of the device that’s always on and has more power than most PCs a few years ago!

So, straight off the starting blocks we’ll be announcing 3 devices: Google Android, Windows Phones and Kopin Golden-i.  And yes, we are working on others!

We believe in starting small and growing over time so rest assured that more features and device types will be added all the time, extending the Threemote experience.

How do I get it?

Initially while we put the finishing touches to our first releases, Threemote is only available as a Private Beta.  But don’t worry, anyone can apply.  Visit our contact form (http://www.threemote.com/contact.php), pop in your details and we’ll add you to the list.

Then, around the time of Mobile World Congress (15-18 Feb, Barcelona) our Public Betas will launch and the software will make its way to the respected marketplaces.

More to follow…

This blog will be continually updated with more Threemote goodies in the run up to our initial release and beyond.

So, stay tuned …