Sine of the Times's ShowMate 2.0 software for the Apple MessagePad gives owners of Sony, Philips, Panasonic, JVC, and Yamaha products the ability to remotely control their TV, VCR, DAT, CD, or receiver.
Want to wake up at 7 a.m. to The Chemical Brothers, then switch to NPR news at 7:30, Good Morning America at 8, and shut it all off when you leave for work at 8:30? No problem. ShowMate's pop-up menus help you write scripts to do that and just about anything else your appliance can handle.
The problem is that ShowMate 2.0 only works with five brands, and your MessagePad has to be within 7 meters of the units being controlled. Sine of the Times helpfully suggests that you send it other brands of remotes to help speed development for new manufacturers (it promises to return them). If you're feeling daring, why not do it and try one of those awful all-in-one deals while your remote is away.
STREET CRED
Smooth in the Crud Speedpass Gas
Control Remotely
