News

Opus introduces Apple iPhone and iPod touch App and Apple TV integration (6/2/2009)

Integrated Systems Europe 2009

Opus Technologies, the UK’s leading multi-room entertainment company has introduced ingenious custom applications enabling the Apple iPhone and iPod touch to control both the Opus system and integrated third party home automation products. Proprietary Opus Hotspot™ software also allows Apple TV to integrate with the Opus system and be controlled by the WCU600 keypad. Apple is a key Opus partner and these two huge advances in integration underline the company’s commitment to becoming the most flexible multi-room system on the market.

Key features and benefits:

*iPhone and iPod touch enable wireless control of all source equipment and third party control products connected to the Opus system in any room

*Intuitive graphics developed for Opus’ WCU600 touchscreen keypad are replicated on iPod touch or iPhone presenting the user with one simple-to-use interface

*Opus’ WCU600 App will be available free-of-charge from the Apple Store

*Apple TV integration affords instant access to entire iTunes library and search by genre, playlist, artist or album

*Movies with HD content whether rented or bought can be viewed

*Favourite pictures and videos from flickr™ or YouTube™ can be viewed in any room with a WCU600 touchscreen

Offering complete two-way control of the Opus system and any other connected smart home product, Opus’ fantastic iPhone / iPod touch application means the world’s favourite pocket gadget can be used to control a wide range of sources including media servers, scene lighting and even HVAC from the comfort of the sofa. For complete synergy this new interface dynamically follows the customised set-up of the user’s WCU600 touchscreen and where appropriate, text feedback is provided on the iPhone/iPod touch to show album, artist, station name etc. All this is possible thanks to Opus’ ingenuity using iPhone and iPod touch’s built-in wi-fi technology. This natively communicates with a wi-fi to serial adaptor - and in turn the Opus SCU600 serial interface. This up-to-the-minute technology once again demonstrates Opus’ status at the forefront of multi-room integration. Other control applications are also in the pipeline to expand even further, the value Opus can offer to customers’ homes.

Opus has also partnered-up with Apple TV to bring the notion of ultimate integrated entertainment one step closer. Harnessing the full power of iTunes, Apple TV offers an incredibly cost effective way of quickly accessing music content, high definition movies and much more – like photo galleries and even content from flickr and YouTube. And now it’s possible to link this amazing device directly to an Opus system giving users all the functionality of a high-end media server and more but without the expense.

Apple TV is fully navigable directly from Opus’ WCU600 touchscreen. Using the new Opus Hotspot, users control their Apple TV interface in much the same way as with the Apple remote. Areas of the touchscreen are assigned to one of six infra red commands such as ‘Up’, ‘Down’, ‘Menu’, ‘Enter’ and ‘Back’. And since this control method is built into the WCU600 keypad, there is no additional cost to integrating Apple TV into an Opus multi-room system.

www.opus.eu