Totally prior art
I know someone who's working on a very similar system, which itself is based on another methodology. And no, I won't tell you what those are.
The point is: it's been done before. Easily proven. Epic patent fail (with any luck!).
Apple has patented using an NFC-equipped iPhone to set up links between electronic devices, hinting at how the company sees the future of the living room and its part there. The recently published patent covers the use of an iPhone to connect to various consumer devices, including speakers, televisions and set-top boxes. The …
"Apple's extension to that is for the serving device to provide only URLs to the client"
Ah, so it is like their "Bluetooth" implementation; It says bluetooth on the outside, but when you try to use it, you find the tin is empty...
File transfer? no.
Keyboard? no.
Link to my Tom Tom? no.
...
... that every device maker will have to put Apples source in evey peice of hardware just so the fanboyz can use their iPhone to change channels.
Wake up TV,Audio and settop box makers of the world and produce a standard for this now before its too late. The alternative is to eate Apple crowle for the rest of eternaty as you pay what ether Apple wants to charge to have their source in your hardware!
TV/Audio/Set top boxes can't even standardise on either remotes or the protocols to interlink a devices between themselves. Look at the fact there is Sony's Bravia Sync, Panasonics Viera Link, Philips EasyLink all do the same job and all are not compatable with each other.
NFC (and I'm not talking near field there!) they adopt a standard that will mean interoperability of anything but the basics unless it's forced (ie SCART/ DVI / VGA or HDMI ) and Apple are not likely to be big enough to do it.
Also don't underestimate the costs. A large part of why VHS won over Beta is because Sony and JVC both wanted royalties but JVC didn't want as much per machine. JVC gambles on licencing the format out for very little, counting on a small amount per unit but a higher unit volume shifted, they were right. Apple will want top dollar for their royalties, and in a enviroment where price is a factor for many people how likely id is they will push the cost of a set up for a feature many end users will not use or want.?