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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."

2 of 145 comments (clear)

  1. What are you so scared of? by ryanvm · · Score: 4, Insightful

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

    I'm not looking to get flamed here, but why are people so terrified of the collection of anonymous, aggregate, viewing statistics? Or for that matter even the collection of individual viewing data? Am I the only one tired of receiving douche coupons and Metamucil samples in the mail?

    Exactly what are the negative aspects of more accurate advertising profiles? We might as well get used to advertising - it's here to stay. If I'm going to be inundated with junkmail - I'd at least prefer it to be potentially useful.

    [I knew I should have worn my tinfoil hat today.]

    1. Re:What are you so scared of? by interstellar_donkey · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I agree with you. I actually want my viewing habits to be tracked. But I don't want them to have that linked to my name.

      As long as they just know my age, my zip code, my sex, and my occupational field, I'm happy.

      The advantages of this are twofold:

      1. I get better targeted advertising towards me

      2. Programming that I like is less likely to be cancled.

      If every slashdot reader, arguably a pretty sweet demographic (mid twenties, professional, with disposable income), allowed their viewing habits to be tracked in the aggrigate, Futurama would never be cancled.

      ===

      --
      The Internet is generally stupid