Analyst: Wii-styled remotes are key to connecting consumers

We've seen all manner of remote control, from numberless to sliders to the hand-waving variety, but Strategy Analytics believes its latest survey indicates the ideal TV media browsing device is something like the Nintendo Wii controller. Topping PC-style keyboards, traditional remotes and voice control in that order the motion-sensitive point and click nature of the Wiimote gives it a leg up on the competition in the ten-foot interface battle. Ready to switch from tennis to Boxee without changing controllers, or are you still looking for the nearest touchscreen input laced Harmony product?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 13th 2009 11:21AM]

Please nothing associated with the Wii.
Maybe Mario.

[LazarusDark Posted Feb 13th 2009 1:54PM]

I keep waiting to hear that all these new connected TV's come with Blutooth. I hate trying to type using numeric or onscreen keyboards.

[Maxx Posted Feb 13th 2009 1:59PM]

You know when I first got my PS3 I didnt like that its remote was BT. Now I have grow to appriciate it. I wish that there was a Universal Remote that was all BT with those little wired trasmitters that you could stick on each device. Not having to point it at anything would be nice.

[davenport Posted Feb 13th 2009 4:29PM]

A remote that you don't have to point has existed for years and the range is much better than Bluetooth. it's called an RF universal remote. The problem with Bluetooth devices is that you cannot integrate them into all current universal remotes. The PS3 has a work-around, but no thanks to Sony.

Bluetooth remotes are a bad idea. Remotes that force you to point at the screen are a bad idea.

[SoCoolCurt Posted Feb 13th 2009 3:40PM]

i love how my PS3 has a BT remote. i dont have to point at anything. which is another reason im not completely sold on the mostly pointing Wii-styled remote. it is worth noting that the Wii remote is also BT as well, it just has an IR camera in the top too.

[SoCoolCurt Posted Feb 13th 2009 3:38PM]

as a Wii owner and 10-foot interface user, i can say that a Wii-mote style remote wouldnt really be a bad thing in the HTPC realm. that said, i dont really see anything wrong with a keyboard emulating remote to do the same thing. a Wii style remote might cut down on the click-click nature of the interface but other than that the current stuff is fine.

[glennS Posted Feb 13th 2009 7:22PM]

Before I got my Harmony remote set up for my HTPC build, I exclusively used a gyration RF keyboard and "air mouse". I really like the air mouse, for a 10-foot interface. I also own a wii, and the feel of using the gyration mouse is very similar to the wii remote. If that functionality was built into a future harmony remote, it would be a killer input device.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 17th 2009 1:13AM]

Or you can..roll your own....

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=893705

http://hackaday.com/2008/10/08/how-to-build-your-own-gyration-media-center-remote/

and of course..linux support (thanks Marc & the team):

http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Gyration-based_MCE_Remotes


~b3nz0n8