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USB Remote Control

Posted by michael on from the couch-potato dept.

c13v3rm0nk3y writes "The Easy Zapper from Harmony is a universal A/V remote with a twist. Created to battle the complexities of operating home theatre systems, the Harmony operates a bit like a mobile telephone. There are few buttons to get you into trouble. The idea is that a single gesture is necessary to "watch a DVD", or "listen to music". It also acts as a TV Guide, as it can learn your local programming, and even tweak those choices based on a "zap" from the user. The interesting thing is that the unit itself has no remote "smarts". It learns eveything it has to by downloading code (va USB) and visiting the Harmony website. Support for Windows only right now, but there are plans for Mac OS, Linux, Playstation and XBox support. Very cool toy. The potential ability for this company to collect a lot of data on "typical" viewing habits is a bit scary. RemoteCentral.com has a review."

3 of 145 comments (clear)

  1. Scary? by Rombuu · · Score: 4, Funny

    The potential ability for this company to collect a lot of data on "typical" viewing habits is a bit scary

    Yeah, if someone knew I watched a lot of Junkyard Wars, Iron Chef, and Enterprise, why they could... er, they could, um...

    --

    DrLunch.com The site that tells you what's for lunch!
  2. What I Want In A Remote by dscottj · · Score: 4, Funny
    • A button mounted somewhere else I can push that'll make it beep when I can't find it
    • Button construction that doesn't get all wierd and sticky when I spill BBQ sauce on it
    • Water-resistant design that doesn't fry when I dump it in my beer glass (I actually did this once)
    • A screwed-down battery lid so I don't break it by constantly playing with the latch
    • The ability to remove the bits that make up the keys so I can clean all the cat hair out of it after years of use
    • Comes with a "Junior" remote that changes the channels and the volume but nothing else to give to my parents when they visit

    Is that too damned much to ask?!?
    --
    AMCGLTD.COM. Where cats, science fictio
  3. Back in my day... by Kenny+Austin · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is old technology, back in my day my father had all of this and MORE! It would change tv channels, answer the phone, and make popcorn. It was a wireless model, voice driven.. "Kenny! Bring me some coffee".
    Sigh, I need kids of my own.