Apple iPhone Remote app to control Boxee?

[Gamester17]

Apple has released an "Remote" app for the iPhone and iPod touch.
http://www.apple.com/itunes/remote/
It can be used to control Front Row, iTunes, and the Apple TV.

Would be cool if that could be used to control Boxee.

Could maybe an EventClient be written for XBMC's EventServer?
http://www.xbmc.org/wiki/?title=EventServer
and/or the HTTP API (if two-way communication is needed)?
http://www.xbmc.org/wiki/?title=WebServerHTTP-API

:rolleyes:

[cjb325]

iPhone remote app would be phenomenally good.

I'm setting up a mac mini media pc, and would love to just use Boxee and my iPhone, rather than switch back and forth between iTunes/iPhone and Boxee/apple remote.

Even if the Boxee iPhone app just emulated the apple remote buttons, it would really simplify my setup. I could have it just boot into Boxee, and never have to see the Finder.

Bonus points if this app could receive "Now Playing" and playlist data on the phone display, so it could be used around the house to control music w/o looking at the screen.

That being said, can't wait for more Boxee updates.

-Chris

[cjb325]

Another thought on using a wifi based remote vs keyboard or IR - I think it would be pretty powerful to be able to sync multiple devices. It just dawned on me that between my girlfriend I there are two macbooks, a mac mini, and an desktop pc running Ubuntu scattered around our house. It'd be really slick if these devices could all play the same content simultaneously, controlled by one remote.

[rex]

If it's easier, boxee could run a little web server and provide a web-based remote. Obviously couldn't be as slick as it might be if it were a full fledged app, but IMO could be really useful while being relatively easy to hack together.

VLC does something like this already... In VLC, you can turn on the Web Interface, which by default launches a web server on port 8080. You can then go on another computer on your network and remotely control VLC... Play/Pause, FF/Rewind, even pick another item from the playlist. This already works in Mobile Safari on the iPhone! But I'm working on modifying the theme to work better on the iPhone, or iPod touch for that matter.

Boxee should consider this approach! A full-fledged iPhone native app could come later.

[Gamester17]

@rex, XBMC (the framework base that Boxee uses) already comes with a WebServer, an Web API, and Web site/page for it that works as a remote interface, and there also several third-party people who have developed version of this designed to run on PDA, Sony PSP, and yes even the iPhone and iPod touch, ...but that is not what my feature request was about, my request was for Boxee to be control nativly by the Apple iPhone Remote app.

:rolleyes:

[Siberia]

This would definitely be a great implementation to achieve as I have been using iTunes in overtime since the remote app came out and it has made the whole experience a great deal more integrated. Although I wouldn't use it as a keyboard, a really solid UI could be made for it that combines iPod Touch/iPhone UI with boxee.

[Siberia]

Sorry to post again but I decided to just mock up something I thought would bring the boxee usability and feel to the iPhone/iPod Touch. Nothing special but just wondering what people would think would be the most important features.

Rought First Idea
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2286/boxeetouchuidesignme4.jpg

Rough Reccomendations
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/3836/boxeetouchuidesign2sk7.jpg

The idea was that the green links when pressed take you to the desired directory, file or profile page in the case of last.fm profiles.

[idan]

hey guys,

this is a good idea.

having said that, i don't think (and i have to say that i also dont really know) the apple iphone remote can pair and control an application which is not itunes based.

but an implementation as mentioned above can surely increase the usablity of boxee. @siberia, very good job! really has the boxee look and feel.

can't wait to use it ;)

idan

[Gamester17]

Checkout:
http://code.google.com/p/iphone-xbmc-controller/
and
http://code.google.com/p/xbmciphone/

isn't open source great ;) ...two separate project for this

[Siberia]

Excellent I'm going to have to check this out ASAP although it'd be nice to see it be an official app too. Thanks Gamster

[Gamester17]

@developers; checkout these open source iPhone GUI PSD graphics: http://www.teehanlax.com/blog/?p=447

Could be of use when skinning a such application ;)

[Gamester17]

http://code.google.com/p/iphone-xbmc-controller/

isn't open source great ;)Here is a preview video http://dave.fumberger.com/?p=24 :cool:

[belovedmonster]

That video gave me a nerdgasm.

[vcosta]

That's awesome Siberia ! :) real cool presentation

[agentlame]

now that is cool!!!

++++1

[iBog]

Even better news...

With the new version of Boxee, the built in web server now works.

The webserver doesn't serve music, videos or photos to the browser. Rather, it lists the content and provides play controls. When clicking on play, it launches the media and starts playing within Boxee.

I don't think it would be too hard to create an iPhone optimized theme for these controls.

I've been looking for an SMB client on my iPhone to try and play content from my NAS. Maybe a UPnP client will eventually appear or I'll find a light web server to serve up my content.

[ajb6077]

how do i access the webserver on my iphone

[iBog]

Enable it in SETTINGS > NETWORK > SERVER.

Go to SETTINGS > GENERAL to see your IP.

http://<ip>:8888 (default port)

[ajb6077]

it says Access Error : Site or page not found cannot open url

[vcosta]

ajb6077 make sure the "web server" box setting is checked on the network settings. Then on the iPhone, make sure you are connected to the same wifi the Atv is. On the browser type 192.xxx.x.x (iP address of the Atv) and :8888 wich is the port.

It works and it's awesome ! just waiting for a a skin for the boxee instead of the xbox one ;)

Good job guys!

[ajb6077]

I do have the 'web server' box checked on port 8888 as the port. Also by Atv do you mean Apple TV? Because I'm not quite sure what you mean, I have it running on my laptop with ubuntu 8.04 on it... I don't quite follow.

[gliendo]

ajb6077 make sure the "web server" box setting is checked on the network settings. Then on the iPhone, make sure you are connected to the same wifi the Atv is. On the browser type 192.xxx.x.x (iP address of the Atv) and :8888 wich is the port.

It works and it's awesome ! just waiting for a a skin for the boxee instead of the xbox one ;)

Good job guys!

It was port 8800 for me. so maybe try that.

[iankirk]

Remote Buddy from iospirit has a feature for using your iphone as a remote control for your mac (as well as wii controllers or bluetooth remotes). Works really good so far (only had a few weeks).

http://www.iospirit.com

[MILE]

Checkout:
http://code.google.com/p/iphone-xbmc-controller/
and
http://code.google.com/p/xbmciphone/

isn't open source great ;) ...two separate project for this

Wow, sweet...! Almost makes me want to jailbreak my iPhone...but only almost... ;)

It would be awesome to have this as an official native iPhone app though...!


Remote Buddy from iospirit has a feature for using your iphone as a remote control for your mac (as well as wii controllers or bluetooth remotes). Works really good so far (only had a few weeks).

Uhm, but is there any way to use it to control Boxee on the AppleTV as well...?! Or did I just misunderstand you here...?!

:: M ::

[Almighty]

So is there any more progress on this? I would love to have my iPhone act as a remote still.

[jenscw]

Almighty: Check out the XBMC-remote? Haven't tried it yet, but it should work with Boxee (I hope:) http://remote.collect3.com.au/

[flynnguy]

xbmc remote kindof works. it allows you to play/pause the video (well I just tested it with videos, i'm assuming audio would work as well) but you don't get a nice list of videos or music. you have to go an manually browse to launch things.

so it does work, just partly. of course if anyone else gets it working fully, please share!

[desertrose0601]

This already works in Mobile Safari on the iPhone!

How does this work? I mean, how do I access this remote? I keep finding references to it in the forums, but no instructions as to how to get to this remote.

[desertrose0601]

xbmc remote kindof works. it allows you to play/pause the video (well I just tested it with videos, i'm assuming audio would work as well) but you don't get a nice list of videos or music. you have to go an manually browse to launch things.

so it does work, just partly. of course if anyone else gets it working fully, please share!


What exactly did you do to get it to work? I am wondering what to put where it says "Host" and "Port"?? I'm assuming the Port is the number Boxee gives us in the Settings page on Boxee, but I have no idea what Host refers to.

[iBeech]

I have managed to get it working... In some sense anyway...

-Purchase the XBMC remote from the iTunes store
-Run up Boxee, enable the HTTP server. The default port for Boxee is 8800
-Fire up the XBMC remote app. Hit settings
-Click 'Add Host'
-Enter the IP address of your Boxee HTTP server under 'Host/IP'
-Change the port to 8800
-Hit done
-Tap the XBMC host you just created

You will get a message on 'Artists' 'TV Shows' 'Movies' etc etc saying no content found...

If you hit 'More' and then 'Video sources' you can freely browse the directory structure and play videos then control then using your iPhone.

I'm not sure why the app cannot view music or TV shows in the library... Maybe it's just 2 different from how XBMC used to do it to work :(

[rafoix]

another thing that the iPhone/iPod remote could help in is providing a wireless keyboard for XBMC/Boxee. It is a currently complete pain to input any sort of text on the Apple TV.

[scubadoc]

Xmote ($2.99 in the iPhone app store) has a keyboard as well as other remote features. It works quite well.

[Almighty]

Word on the street is that there will be an official iPhone app coming soon to the app store.

[subvertbeats]

Word on the street is that there will be an official iPhone app coming soon to the app store.

I saw this on the boxee twitter feed, but havent been able to find out more details

[marcel]

yes this is all true ...:)

[somecallmechief]

Can't wait for official iPhone app. Quivering in anticipation.

[scubadoc]

GREAT news!!

[grytpype]

yes this is all true ...:)

:confused:

How about some info about the app? Screens? Features? Why wait for Apple to approve it, let's have some info man!

[chiefy]

Wondering if you guys could clarify if boxee.app is going to be released to the iTunes store, or through Cydia? Because if there's one reason to jailbreak my iPhone it will be a decent remote for Boxee.

Is this going to be open-sourced?

[ryansasteroid]

Could the Boxee folks tell us when they expect the remote app to be released? I'm cheap and I don't want to pay for one of the two xbmc apps if a boxee specific app is coming very soon.

[agentlame]

Could the Boxee folks tell us when they expect the remote app to be released? I'm cheap and I don't want to pay for one of the two xbmc apps if a boxee specific app is coming very soon.

they are waiting on apple to approve it and add it to the app store.

there is no real time-table... whenever apple releases it. :)

[grytpype]

they are waiting on apple to approve it and add it to the app store.

there is no real time-table... whenever apple releases it. :)

How about some info about the app? Features, screenshots, etc.?

Does it have to be a secret until Apple approves it?

[scubadoc]

Check out this thread. I am guessing that the app for jailbroken phones is essentially the same as that which will be in the app store:
http://forum.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=5135

[grytpype]

Check out this thread. I am guessing that the app for jailbroken phones is essentially the same as that which will be in the app store:
http://forum.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=5135

Very, very disappointing if true. It just duplicates a regular remote? What's the point of that really?

The XBMC remote app that's already available does way more than that, or it would if it worked with boxee.

http://remote.collect3.com.au/

* Play, queue and shuffle the media on XBMC
* View cover art for albums, TV Shows and movies
* View artist and album reviews and information
* 'Standard' remote mode. Control XBMC with standard remote buttons

The official app only does "standard" remote mode?

Sorry, but that's disappointing.

[versechorusjvh]

just like boxee, give it time! it will only get better. the app isn't going to be the best thing in the world right out of the gate - just like the software is still ALPHA software! there's always room for revisions and improved versions - and in my opinion the app is a great start

[grytpype]

just like boxee, give it time! it will only get better. the app isn't going to be the best thing in the world right out of the gate - just like the software is still ALPHA software! there's always room for revisions and improved versions - and in my opinion the app is a great start

OK, but I was hoping the official app would be at least as good as what's already out there.

They might as well just take the XBMC Remote app and fix it so it works with boxee!

[aaron76]

OK, but I was hoping the official app would be at least as good as what's already out there.

They might as well just take the XBMC Remote app and fix it so it works with boxee!

Actually, I've looked at the Boxee Remote contents, and it looks like it is in fact built on the XBMC Remote app. It just has some UI tweaks and rebranding, and some features disabled. I would expect that the dev's will unlock new features in the near future. I personally love the gesture control and don't use Xmote or XBMC Remote anymore.

[grytpype]

Actually, I've looked at the Boxee Remote contents, and it looks like it is in fact built on the XBMC Remote app. It just has some UI tweaks and rebranding, and some features disabled. I would expect that the dev's will unlock new features in the near future. I personally love the gesture control and don't use Xmote or XBMC Remote anymore.

Interesting. But why disable features?