Logitech Harmony Link turns iOS and Android devices into full-fledged remote controls

Logitech is releasing a new product that will turn users' iPads into Harmony remotes by Halloween. The Logitech Harmony Link is the company's newest Harmony remote product, but it's not a device you hold and manipulate to control your home theater. It's a wireless device that can connect to your iPad, iPhone, or Android smartphone to let it function as a universal remote.

The Harmony Link is a disc-shaped device you place near your home theater to control all your devices. It functions as an infrared blaster, sending remote commands to your HDTV, Blu-ray player, set-top box, or compatible game console. The device itself can send infrared commands, and it comes with an infrared blaster so you can keep it in a cabinet with your other home theater devices and still send commands to your HDTV. It then connects to your Wi-Fi network, and can be controlled by any iOS device or Android smartphone through the Harmony Link app.

The Harmony Link app provides a remarkable amount of flexibility, especially for iPad users. The iPad version of the app features a program guide with schedule grid, letting users browse what's on TV through the iPad, just like their cable box. The program information will be provided by data from Rovi, and will not rely on your cable box.

All versions of the app can handle basic device commands and programmable macros to automatic activities like watching movies and playing video games, but they won't use the program guide. Still, the smartphone will effectively work just like a Logitech Harmony Remote, with all the controls and activities accessible through the touchscreen.

The Logitech Harmony Link will hit stores in October, and will retail for $99.99.

This article, written by Will Greenwald, originally appeared on PCMag.com and is republished on Gear Live with the permission of Ziff Davis, Inc.