Pro Control has just announced the general availability of their iPro.8 model RF remote control, an inexpensive hard buttoned "companion" remote for systems where Apple iPhone or iPad devices are used as the primary touchscreen interface. The iPro.8 offers users quick, tactile-based control over movies, volume and channel surfing, similar to what they’re used to with regular OEM remotes, but in a device that integrates perfectly with the company’s back-end ProLink processors.

The original press release follows:

Pro Control Now Shipping iPro.8 Low-Cost Companion Controller for Apple® Smartphones and Tablets

SHAKOPEE, Minn. — April 15, 2013 — Pro Control, a division of Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI), today announced that it is now shipping its new iPro.8 companion controller. Designed for end-users that enjoy using their Apple® smartphone or tablet as the primary controller for their electronic systems, the low-cost iPro.8 adds the convenience of a dedicated remote with instant connectivity and hard buttons for tactile control.

"While many consumers love using their smartphones and tablets for control of electronics and entertainment systems, the use of such devices does come with a few limitations that can lead to frustration — most notably, lack of tactile control, connectivity issues, and the numerous page-swipes required," said Mike Everett, general manager at Pro Control. "With its programmable hard buttons and RF technology, our iPro.8 companion remote was designed to address these issues specifically by providing a dedicated controller at a low cost, while allowing end-users to continue using their touchscreen devices as the main graphical interface."

The patent-pending iPro.8 remote works as an extension of the ProPanel app running on an iPod touch®, iPhone®, or iPad®. It gives users the hard buttons and tactile control to which they are accustomed and provides immediate access to common functions such as changing channels, controlling the volume, and DVR transport. The stylish remote overcomes network connectivity issues by using proven and reliable RF technology for instantaneous communication, and is designed for use with any Pro Control ProLink processor with an activated ProPanel app.

The iPro.8 is available now at an MSRP of $149.00 USD. More information about the iPro.8, ProLink processors, ProPanel app, and other Pro Control solutions is available at www.procontrol.com.