Speaking of cool remote controls – the L5 Remote is a combination iPhone/iPod touch application + accessory to turn said iPhone or iPod touch into a remote control for your television, DVR, Blu-ray player, and just about anything else accepting IR input.

Yes, please. But I’ll need a discount on two (one for my iPhone and one for the wife’s).

The utility of an iPhone is something that is being realized over time. It is a simple, extensible touchscreen device that can and will replace many, many other devices. Think of the devices it has already replaced (for those of us that own one). For me the iPhone has already replaced a pocket-sized digital camera for quick photos, an iPod, a phone, a “netbook” like device for Internet access (anything smaller than a laptop), a notebook, a pocket dictionary (not a device I suppose), a photo album, an alarm clock, a calendar, a to do list of some sort, a wireless remote control for my surround sound when playing music through iTunes, a pocket-sized gaming device (like a Nintendo DS or the like), and much more.

For those that have the iPhone 3GS it replaces, by default, several other devices such as a small pocket-sized video camera, a GPS device, and perhaps even a turn-by-turn directions device for the car.

I think that we’re just beginning to see the iPhone being extended through accessories that will help it replace even more of our devices. Will the next version of the iPhone do that even better? Will Apple announce a new device that will replace even more devices in our home? Time will tell.

The gameplay is great. The game has no “controller” interface, as with most well-done iPhone games, but there is an amazing attention to detail in Rolando. If you have an iPhone or iPod touch – this is a game that I highly recommend you buy immediately.

Source: Rolando.

Finally! I’ve been looking for an iPhone application that allowed me to quickly share my contact information with other iPhone (or iPod touch) owners. What’s more, is that if I have someone else’s contact information I can share that with others too.

Over the past year and a half I can not tell you how many times I’ve found myself in a situation where this application would have come in handy.

The fact that it is a free application is nearly absurd. There is a premium version, which is currently $2.99, so after giving this application a spin once or twice I’m going to buy the premium version — not to get rid of the ads but to support the application’s developers.

Source: Handshake. (direct link to iTunes)
Via: John Gruber.

But that isn’t all, I can now post to this site using my iPhone (which I’ve tested once so far), using the mobile admin plugin. Although a little slow, even on Wifi, the interface works really well on the iPhone to write up quick mobile notes.

I’m really happy with these two solutions so far. Now I just need to get WordPress to recognize the iPhone’s email attachments (photos) and I’ll be well on my way to bringing it all together.

Update March 20, 2008: After using this mobile interface, I’m finding it way too slow even on Wifi on the iPhone. I’ve now begun searching for a simple, mobile interface that is optimized for working on slower bandwidth connections. Any suggestions?