Philips iPronto Does It with Linux

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.

Comments

sheesh

[_RiZ_]

I went shopping for remote controls and checked all the models out at the local Home Theater store. Let me tell you, a remote should be easy to use and functional. This is not it. Anything more than a Hometheatre Master MX-500 is a waste.

WWOD

[stankyho]

Could Ozzy figure out how to use this one?

ProntoLITE

[pherris]

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).

all in one

[syle]

So now, with one small device, I can control the porn on TV, the porn on the web, AND the porn streaming from my computer? No wonder it costs $1,700.

Re:all in one

[Black Perl]

They don't call it the ipr0nto for nothing!

Eek...

[Bvardi]

At 1700 this device would actually cost more than all the things I would use it to control! :)
(Hey I'm a geek on a budget)

That being said - it does look like the ultimate in remote control bragging rights in one rather large (for a remote) package.

Re:Coolest ... thing ... ever!

[maharg]

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

Startup time?!

[jraf]

I was looking around for the battery life specs (I couldn't get to the specs page on the Philips website) .. and came across this page http://www.remotecentral.com/wn030403.htm Found out that its got 5 days of standby lifetime.. not too fantastic, but with a convenient dock its acceptable I guess. But the second new feature of the firmeware upgrade said Reduced start-up time... Hell..ANY startup time for a remote control isn't going to be good..

For $1700

[teamhasnoi]

it better come with a Greek chorus that announces the channel I'm on.

(In unison) "He requires channel CXXVII. He changes the channel."

Yes...for 1700 dollars, I could hire a kid to act as my remote, *and* get me a beer.

Beat that Philips!

Remote Control via PDA

[gunnk]

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.

Hmmm... lets see...

[esconsult1]

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.

mislabelled

[SuiteSisterMary]

The iPronto isn't a remote control. The iPronto is a network terminal that happens to have consumer IR stuff built into it, allowing it to have remote control capability.

So how do I fumble for it?

[thatguywhoiam]

I don't know. This iPronto thing, it seems to have a kind of major design issue.

Put it this way:

I'm about 80 minutes into Fellowship of the Ring. The room is completely dark (except for the tv of course). I have, balanced precariously on one leg a vat of popcorn, girlfriend likely leaning on other shoulder. There may or may not be a few drinks on the table in front of me. I may or may not be really stoned.

Then that Balrog scene comes up and I just have to slow-mo it this time, it just looks so amazing, so in my dark, cluttered, reclined, drunk/stoned state, I fumble for the remote to hit the slo-mo...

... and whip out this iPronto thing, light it up, start dragging my greasy fingers across the touchscreen through frickin pull-down menus, eyes blinded by the sudden shift in light and focus, the Balrog's going mental on Gandalf's ass, I spill my drink...

Nah. Don't see it. For $1700, I want to just yell what I want, or twiddle my fingers in the air, and have it do something.