Using old smart phone as a B2 remote.

[lesliebr...@gmail.com]

Hi folks, I noticed the other day someone on the forum talking about limitations of the B2 remote. I rarely use mine and I need good light to see the buttons (it's an age thing). I often listen to music while on my laptop at a table, and control the B2 using the UI. However, when I really want to listen, I move to the sweet spot in front of my speakers, dim the lights if in the evening, sit back and enjoy the music. Only trouble is I can't see the remote buttons, so I use my android phone to control the B2 with the new mobile UI. The problem with that is it is set with security measures, so I have to press a button to wake it up after the screen time out, swipe it to access the security keypad and tap in a 4 digit code before accessing the B2 UI.o

I had an old Samsung phone I had kept as a backup, and wondered if I could use it as an alternative to the IR remote (Still requires the WiFi though).

It has no Sim Card, and I removed any un-required services and apps. Charged it up and removed any security blocks. With no services running off it the battery life is extended, and I have it opened on the New mobile UI. The screensaver time out still kicks in after a couple of minutes, but one button press and a swipe takes me to a lite up UI screen I can see in dim light. Seems to work well. The draw back is you have to charge it. However, I only switch it on if I'm going for a serious listening and switch it off afterwards, and that really prolongs the battery life. The positives are in a large room lite with lamps in the corners, I can now actually see something I can control the B2 with, without too much faffing about.

[Will Roberts]

My wife gave me a Kindle "Fire" which functions as an Android tablet with a built-in web browser. Works great for controlling the Brennan B2.

Sometimes I also use a small notebook computer which also works very well.

In fact, any device with a web browser works. But, for me, the browser on a smart phone screen feels too small. I understand there is now a Brennan "mobile web user interface" which better suited to the display on a mobile phone, but I have not tried it.

[Cheshire user]

Me too, bought an Amazon Fire 8 inch table on line for less than £50. Very good for controlling the Brennan from all over the house and garden. Also use it to rename and sort tracks on the fly while listening. Can recommend.

[Nick Hickson]

I'd never thought that such a cheap table could be so useful like that. LOL🤣