Turn Your Smartphone Into a Remote Control

The Clik app allows users to pair their smartphone with any device with a Flash-capable browser using a QR code. The app then lets users play YouTube videos on the secondary device and use their smartphone as a remote control.

Stoneface's app somewhat resembles Apple's Airplay technology, and playing YouTube videos over a computer doesn't look like much of an accomplishment when viewers can visit the website and control videos with their keyboard. However, several elements behind the Clik app could lead to more exciting innovations in the future.

Clik lets multiple smartphones sync to a single device at one time, allowing two or more users to control the action at once. The app also features almost no lag time, so while the control scheme works over a 3G connection, the secondary device can use Wi-Fi to load videos.

Stoneface has created the Clik app as a test concept for what its technology can do, and the company is making its private APIs available for developers interested in its platform. Game developers could use the technology to create multiplayer titles that can then be played on larger displays, and streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu could use it to turn people's smartphone into a remote control for their services.

Clik CEO Ted Livingston said the company is hoping to recruit several partners to target college students, as most in that age group have both a smartphone and a laptop. Because the technology requires a browser to work, most television sets will not support the technology, but Livingston told TechCrunch his company is working to get to a point where "every screen just becomes a dumb output for your smart remote".

Downloading Clik from the App Store today may not give users an experience they've never had before, but if developers adopt the technology, it could be something to watch in the future.