Earlier this year, Griffin Technology announced a partnership with software developer Dijit. The end result was the Beacon, a hardware/software package that turns your mobile into a universal remote control. Now both companies say that the Beacon is available for purchase.

Beacon works with the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. It features a piece of hardware that can transform Bluetooth signals into infrared. Those signals work with the free Dijit Universal Remote App. No dongles or additional cables are needed. You will need four AA batteries, however; those are needed for the hardware, promising up to two months of use.

The Beacon can control your HDTV, set-top box, Blu-ray player, and much more. If you can’t find your component in Dijit’s library, there’s also a “learning” feature.

Griffin is now selling the Beacon for $79.99. Dijit’s Universal Remote App can be downloaded for free on iTunes.

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.