TOP 5 IPHONE UNIVERSAL REMOTE APPLICATIONS

(Photo from Flickr, by redjar)

Physical buttons are so 90's. Who wants to touch a piece of rubber just to fast forward a video? You can't even clean it easily without messing up the electronics below. An iPhone, on the other hand, you can spit-shine like it's no tomorrow. Check out our picks for the top 5 best iPhone apps that turn your phone into a universal remote control.

1. Boxee Remote (iTunes)

Boxee was once a wee port of the ever-popular Xbox Media Center application. Now they have a partnership with D-Link to make set-top boxes that run the software. Through Boxee you can view any and every media file you own or will ever even think of owning, and with plugin support you can watch Netflix videos, episodes of South Park, or anything else publicly available on the internet. The iPhone app is very simple, but allows you complete control over the interface. For example, when you play a song, the now-playing screen will show up on your phone. With Boxee's popularity on a steady rise, this free app is essential.

2. VLC Remote (iTunes link - free, iTunes link - paid)

Without question, VLC is the king of all desktop media applications. It can play any file you throw at it (and even fix the ones it can't). In some respects, its simpler and easier to use than an all around media suite such as Boxee. This app alows you to control whatever you're playing from the comfort of your chair. The free version has ads and will only allow you tobrowse and select media to play from your computer, fast forward to any point in the media file, and much more.

3. ThinkFlood RedEye Mini-IR Transmitter (Website, iTunes)

Now this requires a bit more than just an app, but RedEye's newest remote applications will turn any iPhone into a universally compattible remote control. Any device that has an infrared port can be controlled through a little dongle that plugs into the iPhone's headphone jack. It's a little expensive at $49, but when compared to a Logitech Harmony or the like, it's a pretty good deal for a great little device. The device is also not currently available, but

4. Power A Universal Remote (Apple Store, iTunes)

Just like the RedEye Mini-IR Transmitter, this device acts a connection between your iPhone and infrared-controlled devices (e.g. nearly everything in your home theater). Rather than plug into your headphone jack, Power A has provided a case that snaps into the iPhone's dock port. While the app is free, the hardware costs $59.99 in any Apple Store or online at Apple.com.

5. New Potato Technologies FLPR Universal Remote (NewPotatoTech.com, iTunes)

The name is terrible, but the hardware isn't. The FLPR plugs into your headphone jack like the RedEye, and performs a lot of the same features through its built-in infrared port. It has over 14,000 device codes built-in to the free iPhone app. What separates this device, however, is that it costs $79.99. Thankfully, since all of the respective iPhone apps are free, you can test them out to your liking and make a hardware decision from there.