GE's Flip universal remote brings ugly back

We've can't say we've ever really understood the appeal of integrating remote functions into cellphones (except for some sly TV-B-Gone action) but we're even more confused by the GE Flip universal remote, which appears to finally bring the worst in cheap-o flip phone design to the low-end universal remote market. Sadly, GE apparently thinks looks alone will move this thing, since otherwise it's a relatively standard four-function universal -- even the press release kind of peters out after mentioning the design. That design, by the way, seems to have a pretty glaring weakness: when the unit is closed, it looks like the IR transmitter will be pointing the wrong way. Ouch. The Flip appears to be available now for $18.99.

[NHAnimator @ Jul 17th 2007 9:29AM]

Fugly. Real fugly.

[laughallway2bank @ Jul 17th 2007 2:43PM]

MaFuGlY

[Eric @ Jul 17th 2007 9:43AM]

Uh, its not pointing the wrong way when its closed. The hinge is on the opposite side. Its pretty obvious its on the wright side.

[Eric @ Jul 17th 2007 9:43AM]

Spelling errors aside of course.

[Nilay Patel @ Jul 17th 2007 9:49AM]

Sure, but look at the orientation of the fonts in the closed position.

[Paul Barrett @ Jul 17th 2007 9:52AM]

You're wrong.
Look at the closed version - top half has 3 ridges, the half with the IR transmitter has 3 ridges. The IR transmitter end is not rounded.

Also, cheese n rice that's ugly! 50p shop, here we come

[Ricksta @ Jul 17th 2007 9:52AM]

Unless it has 2 IR sensors, the outside "dial" is pointing down.

A design that is just not needed in any way.

And why does it have a "shift" key. Adding a shift key for 2 buttons seems useless (see the menu and exit writing in red). You only net one button saved.

[Eric @ Jul 17th 2007 9:56AM]

I can't really read the fonts from that view. I don't think you would hold it from the non-hinged end. You would be holding the light side of the remote and the heavy hinged side would pull down and it wouldn't be comfortable. And although the design look is stupid, I dont think they'd really mess it up that bad and put the sensor on the wrong side.

[Ricksta @ Jul 17th 2007 10:04AM]

@ Eric, well maybe you should invest in a higher res or a browser that can zoom.

The top red button says On/Off above it. The dial is Chan up and down and Vol side to side. Also the GE symbol is in the same orientation. Unless IR is blasting from that "heavy" (plastic) hinge, this is a bad design.

[Karl @ Jul 17th 2007 10:41AM]

@ Ricksta:

FWIW I count 4 shift-able keys:

Mute/OK
Close Caption/Guide
SAT-CAB/Menu
VCR/Exit

The mute/OK button being the center of the D pad seems amazingly idiotic. Unless this has some sort of state memory like the Harmony, it seems like you'd have to Shift + center D pad every time you wanted to accept a menu option (e.g. when using program guides, etc.)

[Ricksta @ Jul 17th 2007 10:59AM]

@Karl

My bad, didn't notice them at first. That is a valid point though, hitting 2 buttons to ok a choice is inefficient. Looks like this will be a very bad gift because I don't see people actively seeking out and going to get this remote.

[Brooke Adcox @ Jul 17th 2007 11:56AM]

To answer the questions, the remote features two IR sensors. A more updated picture can be found at http://www.jascoproducts.com/press/articles/templates/article.asp?articleid=22&zoneid=2
9

[Ben @ Jul 17th 2007 9:43AM]

It looks like a bad, bad knock-off of the Bang & Olufsen Beolink 4

[Someguy @ Jul 17th 2007 10:56AM]

Don't know anything specifically about B&O products (a little out of my budget) but looking at the Beolink remote (hoorah for google).
I could use that thing to press the buttons on my tv it's so big. Might be "high end" but damn is that thing huge.

aside: this is GE. so why is anyone surprised? it's OBVIOUSLY not geared towards the Engadget crowd. c'mon, it's low consumer level, Winners bin type remote. SHOCK!!!

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 17th 2007 11:32AM]

Are you sure you didn't mistakenly photograph a child's toy?

Because this bears the ridiculous stylings of a child's toy.

[nicleT @ Jul 17th 2007 11:34AM]

Can also be used as a nutcracker!

[AlexS @ Jul 17th 2007 12:28PM]

Bottom line a useless piece of crap to get some non tech savvy or even lazy people to buy on a QVC type show. There are cell phones out their that you can load universal remote control software on them. A buddyof mine has a phone by cingular weith particular software and controls his pc and tv with it. Sad hing is GE will still make money off this piece of crap.

[Ghead @ Jul 17th 2007 2:36PM]

Yeah - it's ugly, all right. Re TV-B-Gone: I used to have an HP/Compaq PDA that had universal remote IR software. Lots of fun at the bar when a hockey game is on and some clown [me] changes the channel to Oprah.

[Jefe @ Jul 17th 2007 2:41PM]

I bet this started as a picture drawn with crayons.

[TIMMAH! @ Jul 17th 2007 2:59PM]

And you need a foldable remote, why?

[Z @ Jul 17th 2007 8:22PM]

This device is what happens when you let dinosaurs run a company.

[Mike10010100 @ Jul 17th 2007 10:52PM]

Does anyone think this looks kinda like a tricorder???

I would love this remote for the Star Trek-ish look!