Sunday, November 24

Logitech takes the remote to the future

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The remote control is one of the most under valued item in consumer electronics. However Logitech has announced something truly groundbreaking. The Logitech Harmony Ultimate is without a doubt a ground breaking device that highlights an emerging theme. Smart devices that can communicate to each other or to their owner by means of an SMS. Suddenly Minority report no longer feels like a science fiction movie.

Can you imagine how amazing it would be to have a much used ordinary appliance in your home as a smart device! Being able to get a message that your freezer needs to be defrosted etc would be great. I can image getting messages to say a battery in a remote control is in need of replacement soon.

The Logitech Harmony Ultimate is much more than a plain remote control. Control home theater devices behind closed cabinets and walls. Access IR devices as well as Bluetooth game consoles. Even use your mobile phone as a powerful, personal universal remote control.

We’ve elevated the universal remote to the next level, taking a personalized approach to home entertainment,” said Joerg Tewes vice president of Logitech’s digital home business group at Logitech. “Furthermore, our Harmony product line is no longer just about entertainment access – we’ve designed the Logitech Harmony Ultimate so you can also control your home’s lighting. Now you can tune the TV, start a movie and adjust your lights to set the mood, with the touch of your finger.”

The Logitech Harmony Ultimate is compatible with more than 225,000 home-entertainment devices and more than 5,000 brands. Both include the Harmony Hub, which uses Bluetooth wireless technology to power on game consoles such as the Sony PS3, Nintendo Wii and Wii U. The Harmony Hub also controls infrared devices inside closed entertainment cabinets and without the need to point at them. The Harmony Smartphone App, which anyone in the house can download to turn his or her smartphone into a personal universal remote.

Logitech is clearly interested in home automation and the Harmony Ultimate is a significant move forward.  No details have been made public as to when the device will be available in South Africa but this device is going to open a whole new avenue of home electronics.

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