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Philips iPronto Does It with Linux

Posted by michael on from the lost-it-under-the-sofa-cushions dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The Philips iPronto may well be a gadget-lover's dream come true. Ever glance around the family room in bewilderment at the number and diversity of remote controls required to make your entertainment systems go? If so, you might think you know why Philips created this brainy new remote. But getting rid of all those little button-studded black plastic battery-eaters isn't all this Linux-powered marvel aims to do." And all for the low low price of $1700.

4 of 207 comments (clear)

  1. ProntoLITE by pherris · · Score: 4, Informative

    In case $1800USD is too rich for your blood they do offer a greatly stripped down version for $20 and there's a free demo (registration required).

    --
    "And a voice was screaming: 'Holy Jesus! What are these goddamn animals?'" - HST
  2. Re:Coolest ... thing ... ever! by maharg · · Score: 5, Informative
    check it out at http://www.pronto.philips.com/index.cfm?id=496.
    flash required!!

    It's got a browser (well I assume that's what the hotmail screendump represents).
    a quick rundown of the specs:
    • The res is only 640*480 tho, a bit too blocky for my liking..
    • Intel X-Scale processor - no mention of speed
    • touch screen - "high sensitivity" - Mmmmm
    • 64 MB of non-vol flash memory
    • 64 MB of RAM
    • built in mic, 'phones socket and "speakers" - no mention of a line out or better, I guess you'll have to live with the headphone out..
    • PCMCIA slot with removeable 802.11b wireless card
    • 8 "direct access" buttons
    --

    $ strings FTP.EXE | grep Copyright
    @(#) Copyright (c) 1983 The Regents of the University of California.
  3. Remote Control via PDA by gunnk · · Score: 4, Informative

    The remote-control-via-PDA is a great idea, except that the range on the IR beam from most PDA's is terrible. I tried a similar piece of software on my Palm IIIxe -- the range was only about a meter and a half. Kinda makes it pointless if you have to walk half way across the room to use it.

    I did train it to open my wife's Jeep Cherokee, though (that's an IR model remote as well). Newer cars are going RF, so YMMV.

    --
    Life is short: void the warranty.
  4. Hmmm... lets see... by esconsult1 · · Score: 4, Informative
    Fancy "Linux Remote" for $1,700. Instead I could buy:

    Yamaha 400 Watt Dolby/DTS Receiver ($299.99)

    Yahama "natural sound" 5 disc CD Changer/ MP3 Player ($150.00)

    Sony Progressive Scan DVD Player ($250.00)

    GRaphic Equalizer ($99.00)

    Sony Surround Speaker Set ($499.00)

    Oh yeah... Home Theater Universal Remove with LCD Display etc. etc. ($229.00)

    With the change left, hmmm.. 10 DVD's? Monster cable? Taxes for the equipment?

    Sure the remote is for the high end (like my boss's viewing room), but my Den could sure use the extra system above.

    --

    Newsfollow.com