Touchsquid Announces Winners for Skin and Theme Design Contest

Touchsquid Technology, the developer of remote control apps for Android tablets and smartphones is proud to announce the winners of its 2013 skin and theme design contest.

One of the most popular features of Touchsquid remote app is its ability to skin and theme its interface. Why settle for someone else's when you can add your own graphics interface?  This is a customization not found in most other remotes or software solutions.

The first winner is Brian Rutkowski from Birdsboro, Pennsylvania USA who submitted a landscape interface called the Carbon and Contrast for use with tablets.  Brian was not trained as a graphics designer, in fact, he worked as a Health Physics Technician at a nuclear power plant.  He's a self-taught graphic designer and he brings his love of design into his technology tools.

In addition to the skin and theme graphics, Brian also contributed matching activity icons.  He added items  like specific game consoles and media players such as popcorn hour, WD TV and ROKU as they become popular.  He loves the nostalgia of playing retro 80 and 90 arcade games using today's technology and this is reflected in the resulting artwork.

The second winner is Marla Roja from Vancouver, BC.  Marla is a trained graphic designer and works at a North Vancouver signage company.  Her entry is both landscape and portrait format suitable for the Galaxy S4 and HTC One Touchsquid remote app.  She named the skin as "Touchsquid Theme by Marla".

Marla had several themes in mind, but chose to work on a conservative mainstream with a more feminine slant.  You will note that she uses shapess that have a little more curve in what she calls "sex appeal".   Her icons and arrows are sort of whimsical, to give some attractive charm.

Both of these skins and themes are now added to Touchsquid's library and users are able to install these for their own use. In help to make themes fit a particular style the Touchsquid app now allows users to choose from several fonts and set the font color for buttons.

We are very proud to announce these two winning entries and we thank all our contributors for helping make this contest a successful event.

Touchsquid remote app demo video now on Youtube

We are pleased to release our latest Touchsquid remote app for Samsung tablets demo video. This is the activity based remote control app for Samsung tablets that have a built-in blaster.

Touchsquid How to Add Favorites

One of the unique features of Touchsquid remote control apps is the ability to add favorites. Favorites could be a website link or a television channel and Touchsquid remote apps can contain 984 favorites in a total on 41 screens. This make a very powerful remote.

This feature is available on Touchsquid Home remote app as well as the Galaxy S4 universal remote and HTC One universal remote by Touchsquid.

Here is a tutorial on how to add favorites.


How to : Add Favorites. -You can add 984 favorites in total on 41 screens.
-That's a total of 24 favorites in each screen.
1.Touch the heart shaped button on the top right corner of your screen to enter the favorites mode.
2.Long press a button.
3. Select which favorite you would like to add. In this case I will be adding , a channel.
4. You'll be able to choose from 100's of different logos for channels as well as for websites.
5. You can find more icons , at IconHarmony.com that will have a section just for Touchsquid. Check it out! 6. Scroll down until you find the channel logo you want to use.
7. The abc family logo now appears under "Type Name".
8. Type your channel you want to use.
Note that this is a Prezi tutorial, so you can use the left and right arrow keys to go back and forth throughout the tutorial process.

Touchsquid Tutorial on Prezi- Set up Application

Touchsquid Support Team has come up with a series of Prezi tutorials to make the setup process for Touchsquid easier to follow.  Here is the first one, thanks to Sara Martinez.

Here is a full transcript of Touchsquid Application Set up Process

Setting up the Touchsquid Remote Application.
Setting up a new profile
This tutorial will guide you through the different steps to set up your very own devices and acitivities on your touchsquid application.
Here is the main screen you'll see once you start up the application.
If you would like to register for the online forum click on register.You'll be directed to the main website to sign up.
Now that you're in the home screen click on (settings).
Step 2:Click on create new profile.
Step 1:The current view is set toLandscape
Step 3:Choose from different languages.The default language will be English.
Step 5:Now, you can add your device type.
Step 6:Select a brand name.
Step 7:Click on the model number.
Step 8:Click on Try to test out your device.You can choose from the different commands of that device. The default is set to POWER TOGGLE. But you can test you for example CHANNE UP or CHANNEL DOWN. After you've turned on your TV.



Step 9:Once you have your first device click on .This will be the second device added to the profile.
Step 10:Select the model number of your set top box.
Step 11:Depending on your model you'll either click yes or no. In this case,yes because it's a DVR.
Step 12:Let's add another device.Follow the same steps and click on add device.
Step 13:Select model number/name.
Step 14:The third device has been added. Great, let's test it an see it if works fine.
Step 15:A fourth device , will be added make sure you follow the same steps as last time and click
Step 16:Make your selection,in this example I'll add a device under Media Manager.
Step 17:Select the model number/name.
Classic Theme Icons.
Classic Theme Remote Screen.
Lets try out the Classic Theme that appears to look like the earlier versions of the app.
This is the Alternative Theme Remote Screen.
This is how the main screen looks when you choose the Alternative Theme.With different choices to choose from it, makes fun and easy.
Step 41:Before the layout was on landscape this can be easliy changed now. Click on Portait to change the layout.Depends on you, what you like best.
Step 40:On the main screen ,the layout is set to landscape. Click on Options or your options hardware key on your phone to change it.
Screen:on Portrait Mode. Now, lets change the theme.
Step 19:Here we have 4 devices in one profile.
Step 18:
Make sure it works first!
Step 20:Click on Add Activity.The activities will vary depending on your device.
Step 21:
Click on Watch TV Mode.
Step 39:You can choose from the activities that we've created on the main menu.You can also switch between them, by pressing the button on top.
Media Manage Mode.
Watch TV Mode.
Step 22:
You can choose which devices to include in your activity.
Step 23:Now you want to select your devices and commands.
Step 28:You can change the activity icon by long pressing the icon.By pressing label you can name your activity anything you like.
Step 29:Choose from different icons provided or you can also add your own.
Step 31:If your cable box has a VOD channel number you can enter it with the VOD button. If it has a VOD command, then just leave it.
Step 30:Label changed to "Room 1".
You can add your own icons by following these simply steps.
Step 24:As you can see the icon is now different and it has a label.
Scroll down to LG TV.
Once a device is ready it will turn green.
Add icons!
Step 32:Now that I've got the commands I want , and all of my devices appear green. We are DONE!
Step 33:Lets add one more activity for our Asus Media Manager.So again here, select the devices you want.
Name your icons using _UP & _DN states.
1. Plug in your device using a USB cable into your PC or MAC.

2. Next go into your device and look for the "TSR" folder.

3. Click on the "ActivityIcons" folder.

4. Add your icons but make sure each of them have an_up and _dn state.
Step 37:You can choose to protect your password or not.
Step 36:Lets call the profile :
" Room 1 downstairs".
Step 35:You should now click on "Save Profile". Congratulations! You've have just finished settting up your very first profile.
Step 38:Click on"Back"now.
Step 27:Select an input component for your Set Top Box.
Step 25:You can also choose to say no.
Step 26:Select Input/Mode Option.
Step 1:Click on the remote button.
Step 2:You can swipe down where the device name is to get a drop down menu of your device.
Step 1:You can also swipe the left or right keys , to get to your other devices in your profile.
Step 2:You can also long press in the arrows for the drop down menu to appear.
SUCCESS! YOU'VE FINISHED THE FIRST TUTORIAL.Check out our other tutorials on customizing buttons, macros,and adding an input button.
Step 4:Add device.
Step 34:Here I've choosen Neither of te commands to use for the LG TV.

Touchsquid announces Theme and Skin Design Contest

The Touchsquid™ Design Awards were initiated to encourage our users to share their unique and creative ways of customizing their Touchsquid™ Screen Skins. Our goal is to provide a wide variety of screen skin and theme templates available online that can be used by Touchsquid remote app users.

Official Contest Rules
When submitting artwork for contest consideration, you agree to abide by the following rules.

1. Eligibility. No Purchase Necessary To Enter or To Win  You do not have to actually purchase a Touchsquid™ product in order to design a skin or theme for it. Contestants can download the free Touchsquid demo app and use our sample templates as a guide.

2. Void Where Prohibited by Law.  Any disputes arising under the terms and conditions of this contest will be governed by the law of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

3. Age Requirement.  All contestants MUST be age 16 or over at time of entry.

Contest Entry Guidelines

1.  No Copyright Infringement.  All work must be released for individual usage or purpose usage grants. All entries must contain copyright-free art or art released for entrant’s and public use. No unauthorized use of any copyright images, text, or other material will be accepted.

2. All Entries Must be Submitted Online.  You must register for the contest to submit an entry. If you are under the age of 18, your parent of legal guardian must register for the contest to submit an entry.

3. Entries must be submitted via email to tina at touchsquid.com
File types and sizes (dimensions listed below in pixels)
Contest entries must be submitted in either .PNG format, have dimensions as listed below for the type of product under which you are submitting artwork, and a file size not exceeding 2MB (2048 KB).
Touchsquid™ portrait  Screen Skin     1080 width x 1920 length pixels
Touchsquid™ landscape Screen Skin  1920 width x 1080 length pixels

Touchsquid Remote App Version 4 Now Released May 15, 2013

Congratulations to the Touchsquid Team for delivering on time and as scheduled.  Touchsquid Remote App Version 4 is now officially released.

Version 4.00 is a complete re-write of the app aimed at making it more reliable and easier to maintain. We have responded to a lengthy list of user requests. Here are the main new features:

1. Support for Samsung and HTC phones with IR, requiring portrait mode.

2. User definable graphics. Basically there are for folders for users to add graphics which replace the built in files (only when present).
TSR/NamedViews contains button graphics and backgrounds.
TSR/ActivityIcons contains what it sounds like...
TSR/SquareButs -the small square buttons. If you want to do a special font you can build it into a button.
TSR/RectangleButs -the rectangle shaped slightly larger buttons for custom commands.

We are having a graphic designer do several "Themes" which will be posted on line. Users can share their own graphics on this forum or even sell them.

3. Drag and drop moving of favorites to make rearranging screens easier.

4. User nameable devices and activities.

5. Macros are stored in a more robust fashion, and the 10 command limit is no more.

6. Device remotes, which control only one device, are now available. They can be customized, but start with the main common buttons predefined.

7. A new "All commands" list (Squid eye/Device name) brings up a scrollable button list of every command the device has and you can touch commands multiple times without closing the list.

8. Multiple external blasters are supported, even when they are of different brands. They are identified by IP address so a fixed IP setup is recommended.

Sara Martinez joins Touchsquid Programming Team

We are pleased to welcome Sara Martinez as part of the Squid programming and support team. Sara is a third year software engineering student at the Simon Fraser University. (Software Systems is a unique program at SFU that focuses on the advancement of software development and its everyday use in the modern business world).  She now works with the TouchSquid programming team as part of her co-op education.

Sara has experience working in the Android OS platform, as well as Linux and Windows operating system.   Aside from her technical skills, she's shown  leadership skills as part of the Executive Team of the Software Systems Student Society at SFU.  We are very happy to have her on our team.

Touchsquid users with technical support issues can contact Sara directly at her email address sara@touchsquid.com.

Touchsquid announces enhanced German edition of remote app

Touchsquid announces an enhanced German edition of Remote app for Samsung which includes German language commands and a library of over 800 favorite German channel icons. These channel icons include music channels, sports channels, movie channels, live streaming internet channels, weather channels, and much more.

One of Touchsquid's most popular feature is its "FAVORITES" function, which is the ability to add custom buttons for your favorite channels, website or macro command.  A user can set up  6 screens of 24 favorites each, totalling to a maximum of 144.

Touchsquid has a very active user base in Germany who have contributed to our library of over 800 channel icons.  The German language commands come from the contribution of a loyal Touchsquid fan.

Touchsquid announces release of remote app for Sony

We are pleased to announce that we have now released Touchsquid remote app for SONY. Sony makes several tablets and phones with built in IR. Now the top rated Android Remote App, TouchSquid is available to work with Sony devices.

Sony Tablet S tablet
Sony Xperia S tablet
Sony Xperia Z tablet
Sony Xperia ZL phone

The Sony has a built in device database, and learning capabilities. The Touchsquid app uses that to control the same devices as the Sony app.

Features:
* Unlimited Individual room profiles allow you to use your Sony in many different locations.
* Up to 10 devices in a profile
* Activity based, control several devices from a single unified remote screen
* 41 Favorites screens with up to 24 favorite channels with icons per page.
* Favorites can be Channels, commands, or websites.
* User define Macros and custom buttons
* Built in web browser allows checking program guides and iMDB without leaving the remote app.
* Can control devices in another room or hidden from sight using an external blaster by Global Cache, Keene or IRTrans.

Many more features.

Check Touchsquid's app  reviews on the Samsung version!

Custom Built Housing for Touchsquid Controller

A dedicated fan sent this photo of a custom housing built for his Touchsquid controller. This controller sits on the conference room table and all of its users are able to control the TV and other devices in the room (in kiosk mode, of course).

 The TouchSquid app is used to control the devices (including an Apple TV) in a conference room at work via a Global Cache IP2IR device.

The Touchsquid remote app is available for purchase from home theater licensed resellers or through the Google Play market. Several versions are available including a HOME and a PRO (professional version). The remote app can be used for Samsung tablets that have a built in IR blaster, and can also be used for generic tablets in combination with an external blaster such as the Global Cache Itach products, Keene or IR Trans.

Touchsquid Dances with Solo Cinema XTR

More news from the North Pole. Here is a photo from the now named Captain Touchsquid, operating 1100 feet below ice under the North Pole, and dancing with the SoloCinema XTR. For the music and movie lover who wants all the performance of a full size home theater audio system but is unwilling to deal with the size and complexity of a component system, SoloCinema XTR is an alternative —a fully powered surround bar system with a slim, easy-to-place wireless powered subwoofer.

Touchsquid in Use Under the North Pole

We have received permission to announce that Touchsquid is in use inside a submarine under the North Pole for the purpose of watching movies. (Apparently there is no cable TV under the North Pole)

Thanks to the support and encouragement of our Touchsquid fans who share with us their whereabouts, their tips and techniques, the hows, the wheres and the whys and the many ways Touchsquid is being used.

At our recent count, our Touchsquid remote control solution is now in use in 53 countries.