XBMC is a feature-rich media center with an attractive interface. Through it’s EventServer XBMC has seemingless endless support for both physical and software remote controls. Smartphone users can use their phones in “smarter” ways by turning them into XBMC remotes.

A real XBMC remote goes beyond mere mouse and keystroke control. Instead, it allows browsing of your XBMC media library directly from your phone’s screen. Imagine changing a song or starting an episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars for your 5 year old from the next room. There are currently three notable remotes providing this functionality: XBMC Remote for Android, XBMC Remote for iPhone (and iPod Touch) and XBMC HTTP-Remote.

Check out the feature comparison:
XBMC Remote for AndroidXBMC Remote for iPhoneXBMC HTTP-R
Platform(s)Google AndroidiPhone, iPod TouchGoogle Android, iPhone, iPod Touch, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Palm WebOS
CostFree$2.99Free
DeveloperTeam XBMCcollect3XiniX88
Version0.8.11.70.4
Where to get it?Android MarketApple App StoreXBMC Forums
Movie LibraryYesYesYes
TV Shows LibraryYesYesYes
Music LibraryYesYesYes
Media Sources (File Mode)YesYes??
Remote ControlYesYesYes
Trackball works in Remote Control mode.Also has a VNC-like control feature.
Gesture controls--Yes--
Customizable remote buttons--Yes--
Show incoming SMS on TVYes----
Show incoming calls on TVYes----
Notifications on phone StatusbarYes----
SortingYes----
ProsTrackball support.
Incoming SMS and phone notifications.		Sleek interface.
Customizable "tab" items.		Scalable, broader support of mobile OSes beyond Android and iPhone.
ConsBasic design right now.It's not free?Doesn't use XBMC's built-in web server.
Instead requires additional software (i.e., PHP, Apache).

Update: My initial thoughts were that while XBMC Remote for Android offered more features, the XBMC Remote for iPhone was a better app overall due to XBMC Remote for Android’s lack of TV show library support. My views have changed since v0.7.0 which launched after this article was published. XBMC Remote for Android is a better app feature-wise and the iPhone app is prettier and more responsive.

Both of these applications will continue to evolve alongside XBMC. Hopefully awareness of XBMC will grow resulting in more competition and options for remote software… And perhaps other media centers will take note.

Share your thoughts on which is better in the comments.

Note: Lifehacker also has a good article describing different XBMC remote control software. Somehow they mentioned HippoRemote for iPhone but failed to mention both the Android app or even the XBMC Remote for iPhone. Both in my opinion are far superior solutions in terms of XBMC usage.

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