ESPN Ultimate Remote gets reviewed, panned

Apparently we aren't the only ones miffed by the WiFi-enabled ESPN Ultimate Remote. After peeling this thing out of its dumbbell-esque packaging, critics over at PC Magazine were simply unimpressed from the get-go. For starters, this thing actually belts out the network's theme song when you turn it on. If that's not reason enough to hold tight to your three Benjamins, you should also know that it "didn't execute any of its fancy web tricks gracefully," and setup was anything but simple. It gets worse. Reviewers stated that it was uncomfortable to hold, the buttons were too tightly packed and you're not able to send / receive emails from just any email address. If you really need more convincing that this thing probably isn't a good buy (particularly with all those other alternatives out there), check out the full review in the read link.

[Via ZatzNotFunny]

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 8:08AM]

So is this quadband?
3G?
AT&T or T-mobile?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 8:15AM]

"[T]his thing actually belts out the network's theme song when you turn it on." What-a man what-a man what-a mighty. fine. MAN!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 8:25AM]

looks like a cell phone that's 3x too long.
I'll pass for something like the harmony 1000

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 8:30AM]

It obviously needed more buttons to be commercially viable...

[ack154 Posted Jun 19th 2008 8:32AM]

DOUCHE!

Srsly though. I don't understand this thing's purpose. At all. What is it supposed to maybe do (poorly)? Supposed to be a universal remote? But an "espn" one?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 8:36AM]

Allan, you're just a queue jumper, you douche bag.

[plexusXXX Posted Jun 19th 2008 8:45AM]

The one gadget that would actually make good use of voice recognition technology is the remote, but you'll be dam'nd if among all the voice activated devices (alarm clocks,light switches, curtins, etc.) you could find one remote (universal or not)

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 20th 2008 10:44AM]

http://www.dynamic-living.com/product/surfboard-voice-activated-remote/

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 9:07AM]

It is a REMOTE! I have one, in fact I have 3. Doesn't ESPN make enough money already? This is just bad.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 10:31AM]

3?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 9:14AM]

I am a mother of a child with Down's Syndrome, and he absolutely loves the ESPN. He gets excited and bounces up and down in his wheelchair whenever he hears their little jingle. I think it's absolutely shameful that Engadget and others would pan a device that could really bring happiness to people. I don't get to see my son smile often, but I know that $300 is a small price to pay to see sheer joy on his face.

[conscious Posted Jun 19th 2008 9:38AM]

for $3 you could get him a noisemaker or a speak and spell. While your story is very sweet, it doesn't say much for people who want a good remote control.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 9:43AM]

For your information, my son is 30 years old. I think he's a little old for a "noisemaker" or a "speak and spell," despite his condition.

[conscious Posted Jun 19th 2008 9:52AM]

Again, your story is heartwarming/sweet etc etc, but this thread is about whether we think this is a good remote control or not. It's not. Presuming your son uses the remote to its full potential, that won't keep me and anyone else from panning the crap out of this badly designed and poorly executed piece of crap.

[RogueGenius Posted Jun 19th 2008 10:01AM]

So you're goint to pay $300.00 for an ESPN noisemaker? Making fun of the handicapped is REALLY REALLY FUNNY.

Lame. Fail. -1.

[Shane Posted Jun 19th 2008 1:38PM]

Wow you guys are cruel...I think she's got a great story even if it isn't a great remote.

[looselycoupled Posted Jun 20th 2008 3:41AM]

Not trying to be mean, but you could easily just record the ESPN jingle and play it on a cellphone for free.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 9:42AM]

... sorta looks like they've tried to combine a candybar and a slide phone yet forgot to put the candybar under the slide. :(

... maybe that's just me.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 9:52AM]

Is there a competition going on to see who can make the simplest things more complex than operating a spaceship?

[retro77 Posted Jun 19th 2008 9:54AM]

Can you make calls on that thing? [its a joke]

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 12:20PM]

I'm hoping for the day when wi-fi will be standard in all audio and video components so I can use a touchscreen device like my iPhone to run a universal remote app to control everything (including home automation stuff).

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 10:21AM]

So you're telling me that for double the price of a Logitech Harmony remote, I can have less functionality? Where do I line up?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 10:34AM]

so it looks like a GIANT CELL PHONE, does that mean I can page it, when it falls in-between the couch cushions.

[naz Posted Jun 19th 2008 10:37AM]

The big screen pushes the numerical pad to the very bottom of the remote, that might make it hard to use.

[JohnnyK Posted Jun 19th 2008 11:56AM]

Did they even try?

[crow610 Posted Jun 19th 2008 12:43PM]

I could imagine this having some potential to a huge sports fanatic.
Imagine being able to pull up players stats at the click of a button on this remote. The state that its' in right now is no different then a Harmony, aside from its ugliness but with the ability to pull in sports info that sort of feature would make this a more compelling purchase for even the casual sports fan.

[BratPAQ Posted Jun 19th 2008 1:49PM]

luckily, the networks theme song isnt "i will survive" XD

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 4:54PM]

Why even bother with this garbage?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 20th 2008 10:57AM]

"you're not able to send / receive emails from just any email address"

that's incorrect

I can't help thinking the technology behind this remote is being panned because it has ESPN on it and it is red.