USB Remote Control

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."

Comments

Scary?

[Rombuu]

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...

Program via serial port: JP1

[crow]

If you get a remote like the Radio Shack 2104 that has a 6-pin connector accessible from the battery compartment, you can build a serial cable and program it from your computer. This lets you program any button to do any function or sequence of functions.

There's an active discussion of these remotes at the JP1 Yahoo Group.

What are you so scared of?

[ryanvm]

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.]

Re:What are you so scared of?

[interstellar_donkey]

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.

===

User review.

[_LORAX_]

I got one of these beasts back in novenber. Despite some problems it does work as described, BUT the company has not been forthcomming with any documentation for the propriatary XML language or binaries that the device uses.

Harmony has time and again broken promises to release the full XML spec. I have even extrapolated non-documented xml features that have helped, but I should not have to.

As a simple remote with "activities" they are great, but if you are getting this to do complex programming steer clear.

http://www.remotecentral.com/

Good forums that have true user feedback.

What I Want In A Remote

[dscottj]

• 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?!?

Back in my day...

[Kenny Austin]

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.