New EL Touchscreen Remote Control

raminf writes "Stumbled across the Kameleon -- a new remote control device from Univeral Electronics. The interface is a blank electro-luminescent touch-screen. The 'buttons' are animated graphics drawn to match any device you choose . You can update new device interfaces via a modem (specs aren't clear how exactly). You can also define 'macro' buttons to do multiple tasks with one button. Apparently it also has a built-in motion-sensor and turns itself on when you pick it up. You can't buy it directly in the U.S. yet. Here's a British web-site that carries it and has some specs and a picture. Here's the company press release. RadioShack has announced they'll be carrying it retail pretty soon."

Comments

Umm

[Slashdotess]

Didn't Sony release a product like this years ago?

Also, Philips just released a similar remote, except some keys are not on an LCD. Its called the Pronto. More at http://www.pronto.philips.com.

Re:Umm

[Twirlip of the Mists]

Philips didn't just release the Pronto. It's literally been around for years.

And the Sony device is totally different. This device and the Pronto use a true LCD display, a la Palm Pilot. The Sony device just uses a backlit template with buttons drawn on it. Depending on your device selection, some buttons are lit and some aren't. Your CD player will have a "play" button, but your TV won't, for instance. But you can't really change the labels of the buttons or anything about their arrangement.

Re:Umm

[shadowj]

I've had a Pronto for two or three years now. Not badly executed... it suffers from a lack of tactile feedback, though. You have to LOOK at the panel before you tap a command, as opposed to a conventional remote where you can FEEL the button.

My housemate has one of the Sony devices... it's incredibly difficult to program, but usable once you've managed it.

Yeah

[redhotchil]

Yeah the one by Sony is called the "Sony 18-Device LCD Remote With Learning Function"..

They sell it on amazon here and review here

Sweet stuff

70 pounds in the UK

[barzok]

So figure US$100 easily.

Re:Bah

[Hawaiian Lion]

you're absolutely right - touch screens are not very useful when it comes to remotes because you want to be looking at the TV instead, not looking down at the silly remote to check that you didn't accidentally press "record" instead of "play" ...

Why don't you READ the article before you start making incorrect claims about it? According to the article:

The Electro-Luminous Display combines the flexibility of a touch-screen with the push button feel of a traditional remote control, so you get the best of both worlds!

The Kameleon doesn't use a touchscreen, it lights the buttons that you need. And I bet they're mappable too!

-Aron

$60 at RadioShack

[ecarlson]

Check it out: Radio Shack Kameleon Remote

Electronics are usually more espensive in the UK, so Pounds usually match US dollars pretty closely for electronics.

JP1 programmable remotes

[crow]

http://www.hifi-remote.com/jp1/

There are a number of remotes out there with a six-pin connector that allows you to reprogram them from a computer. This connector is typically accessible from the battery compartment. While most universal remotes have codes for hundreds of devices, with the JP1 connector, you can add new devices that didn't exist when the remote was built. You can also do things that the remote doesn't normally allow (like assigning macros to non-macro buttons). You finally have full control of your remote--you can program every button to do exactly what you want it to do. And you can back it up to a file on your computer.