A BlackBerry idea Apple should emulate for iPhone?

As the smartphone wars increase in intensity, BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) has one idea at least one iPhone user would like to see Apple emulate – a solution that transforms your phone into a universal remote control.

RIM is working with Canada’s Unity4Life to develop a solution that turns BlackBerry devices into a remote control for TVs, set-top boxes and the like. Effectively emulating features offered by devices including Logitech’s Harmony universal remote.

This solution works through use of a $99 device which converts the Bluetooth signal of a BlackBerry into an infrared signal TVs and other devices can understand. This solution is used in conjunction with software which runs on the BlackBerry.

When you use the software you are presented with an interactive media guide and get to control nearly every function of your audio and visual equipment, from volume control on your TV to operating your PVR, as reported by the National Post.

There’s a price to pay for this integrated goodness – the company will also gather information to collect data on users entertainment and viewing habits…while this will depend on what information a user wants to share. The company also has a plan to include advertising within the interactive guide.

We’d like to see a similar system for the iPhone…what do you think?