I love the logic of this, but wonder how it works on a larger scale installation that goes beyond one room and uses things like multiple device integration with multiple power on locations and tracking. That is, a shared home media server which powers on and off... When the first room powers it on, then other rooms join to use it, it stays on. But, when the first room powers off, does the media player power off, or does it have enough logic to know that it shouldn't power off the media player because other rooms are using it?
Also, the list of distributed audio systems which support 3rd party control seems to be 'lacking'. Almost all of the units are proprietary, and certainly some are better than others. So, it is hopeful that they have an extensive library of products which are not just supported, but work well.
My biggest issue is not the concept, but that iPhones suck.
Kind of say that tongue in cheek because I love my iPhone and it actually is awesome, but any touchpanel trying to replace a remote control ends up being a pretty poor system in my experience. You need to change the channel on your TV... Okay, turn on your iPhone, go to the app, make sure you are on the right page, then press channel up. Okay, now look at your TV to see what channel you are on. Okay, not it, press channel up, channel up, channel up... Wait, that wasn't channel up, that was previous channel. Look down at the iPhone again, reposition your finger so it is where it needs to be, and start over.
Hard button remotes are BETTER. For day-to-day operation and channel surfing, they are phenomenally convenient.
Pick up remote
Press channel up
Leave finger on channel up button which feels like a channel up button
Use as often as necessary
Set down when done
I use my iPhone/iPad for my whole house setup for certain. It gives me a nice single interface to run the show from and the two-way feedback is nice for certain things (XM, lights, volume, room status). But, it's way easier to walk into an audio only room and press the button that says 'XM' or 'Cable' to get the source playing in there. Volume is right on the keypad.
Still, moving forward, the use of iOS and Android for some level of control system use will become more and more prevalent. Especially as companies get behind and implement open source solutions which are fully supported and incredibly reliable. iRule, I believe, is another such concept solution.
I will say, where these products typically fall VERY flat on their face... They work with your phone/tablet, but that's it. They don't reach beyond those devices. Your kid doesn't have a iPhone? You're SOL. You want to provide another level of control for Grandma? No such luck. You drop your phone and it breaks? So much for watching TV. This is a huge issue IMO as the hard button remote, especially good ones, should be able to tie into this type of device well. It even makes sense that Roomie would make an IP enabled hard button remote control which provided nearly the same level of activity based control with (or without) room selection integrated into it. Keypads as well.
They have come a long way, but the focus is often narrow. Gonna throw out there that I have about 20 relay controlled devices out there... It does look like iTach supports those products, but weird that Roomie doesn't have it in their store.
Models | Global Caché
Also, this is all dependent on your network being up and running. A big plus of the universal remotes is that network issues don't bring down your remote control.
Lots of plusses on this product, but a few pretty big minuses as well. Hopefully they will recognize them and address them in upcoming years.