Call it an iNovelty. But do you really want to use your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch for simple A/V tasks that can be done in a jiff with a more traditional handheld remote?

The luster of controlling your TV and audio with a smartphone or a tablet can wear off quickly. So the new SURFiR remote control from Remote Technologies Inc. (RTI) offers simple and easy tactile control of basic audio/video functions, and is designed to work with iPads, iPhones and iPod touches. The SURFiR allows the iDevice to act as the main interface for A/V system, but enables control of simple volume and transport functions without having to resort to numerous finger swipes on a touchscreen.

The companion remote is designed to work with any of RTI’s XP control processors and will be available for $149 by the end of the year. It may not be as cool as your iBuddy, but do you need that touchscreen for everything? Android control will be available in the future, says RTI’s vice president of sales and marketing Pete Baker.

RTI also announced an Android app for its new RTiPanel tablet control will be available by the end of the year.

Steven Castle - Contributing Writer

Steven Castle is Electronic House's managing editor. he has been writing about consumer electronics, homes and energy efficiency topics for two decades. He is also the co-founder of GreenTech Advocates.