Review: The Best iPhone Universal Remote Apps

It's a hackneyed dodge of comparison tests since Buggy-Whip Quarterly but no less apt here: These four systems offer something for everyone. RedEye is clearly the most powerful and adaptable (it would likely be my pick), but its one-room basic design and more complex setup will not suit all. Re probably comes closest to achieving all-things-to-all-humans status, but the simple-to-use FLPR and the even simpler i-Got-Control will doubtless appeal to some even more strongly.

Finally, it would be irresponsible not to point out that every one of these systems incorporates features and foibles that I lacked the space to detail, so the serious shopper is enjoined to go the extra mile and do some careful homework on each maker's Web site, and perhaps even search out a hands-on demo, before buying. (I must similarly add that all four makers regularly update their apps, doubtless including new features and fixes that postdate this piece, as did the debut of Apple's multitasking OS4 iPhone/iPod Touch update, though I was just able to confirm that all four appear to run normally under iOS4.)

But whichever way you go, if you love your iPhone as much as your carefully tuned A/V systems, you''ll simply have to own one (or more) of these. Whether it turns out to become an indispensable A/V companion, a valued occasional helper, or just a whiz-bang toy with which to further goad your unfortunate BlackBerry/Android/Palm-a. icted friends matters relatively little. They're cool! They're iPhone! And, unlike so many other apps, they actually perform a useful task in an innovative, fun fashion.