# Appliance-Controlling Apps Unify4life Develops a Universal Smartphone App By Michael Poppenhagen | Published 2010-11-07 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/universal-smartphone-app References: [popsci](http://www.popsci.com/gear-amp-gadgets/article/2009-01/control-anything-your-cell-phone) & [unify4life](http://unify4life.com/) Unify4life has developed a [universal smartphone app](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/concierge-ai) that allows you to [control household appliances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aipowered-appliances) with your smartphone. This app will let you communicate with just about any component in your entertainment center. All you have to do is put the Bluetooth-equipped AVShadow box near your entertainment center, download the app, and your smartphone can do everything your other remotes do. Coming soon is an app that will open your garage door and another to control your [Mac](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/detail-app) or PC. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Smartphone Appliance Control:** Developing more comprehensive and efficient smartphone apps to control household appliances is a disruptive innovation opportunity. - **Bluetooth-enabled Technology:** Innovating Bluetooth technology to improve appliance control options through smartphones is a disruptive innovation opportunity. - **Universal Control Platforms:** Creating universal control platforms that can cater to all types of household appliances is a disruptive innovation opportunity. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Smart Home Technology:** Developing apps that effectively control all household appliances through smartphones is an opportunity to innovate the smart home technology industry. - **Consumer Electronics:** Innovating Bluetooth technology to increase the control options available for consumers is a disruptive opportunity in the consumer electronics industry. - **Home Improvement:** Creating universal control platforms that can be used for multiple household appliances presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the home improvement industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Smart Home Controller Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/universal-remote-controller.md) - [Universal Smart Remote Controllers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/universal-smart-remote-controller.md) - [Universal Smart Home Remotes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/switchbot-universal-remote.md) - [Gesture-Controlled Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spatial-touch.md) - [Dedicated Smart Home Controllers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-automation-control-pad.md) - [Omni-Control Smart Home Remotes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/linxura-smart-home-controller.md) - [Aftermarket Home Automation Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-home-automation-switch.md) - [Gamified Smart Home Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/majordom-smart-home-hub.md) - [Aftermarket Automation Blind Controllers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/arpobot-smart-shade.md)