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Logitech will brick all Harmony Link devices in March (updated)
Bricking a device, which usually happens during firmware update gone wrong, is never a good thing. It's even worse when companies do it to their devices intentionally. According to emails received by users, Logitech will be intentionally bricking all Harmony Link devices via a firmware update as of March 16th, 2018. The bad news was first reported by Bleeping Computer.
Server outage turns Harmony Link into a paperweight
The Cloud is great place right? It's all puppy dogs and ice cream, until it isn't. We'd suspect that's what Harmony Link users who ditched their old school remotes for an iOS device are thinking right about now. You see while typical Harmony remotes are only programmed via MyHarmony.com, the Harmony Link apparently requires a quick phone home to work at all. That's according to a number of users at Logitech's forums starting yesterday morning claiming their Harmony Link is now a "very nice and sleek paperweight," only showing an error when they try to turn on the TV for their not-so-super Super Bowl party tonight. While we're sure this is a temporary problem and the servers will be restored before too long, it does make you wonder why Logitech would design a solution that wouldn't work at all when a server can't be contacted.Update: According to Logitech, the issue is fixed."As soon as the issue surfaced Logitech worked as quickly as possible to restore it, and the server is up and running again." [Thanks, Kevin]
How would you change Logitech's Harmony Link?
Remote controls suck, but touchscreen phones and tablets aren't smart enough to replace them, yet. Logitech's Harmony Link is there to bridge the gap between your WiFi device and TV, but we found it inflexible, unreliable and unspectacular. Some of those issues might have been fixed in the recent update -- but what would you do differently to make it the must have gadget of 2012? Ladies and gentlemen, when you've finished your turkey dinners (happy holidays!), sound off in the comments.
Logitech Harmony Link review
Logitech's Harmony 1100 now shipping to tidy living rooms everywhere Murata Tactile Controller TV remote hands-on (video) Comcast releases Xfinity TV remote control app for Android devices A first encounter with a multitouch device gets any active imagination running, so of course a home theater fan thinks it could make for the ultimate remote. But can any of that promise be realized in the dead zone that is the consumer remote control space? The leader of that dead zone is ready to give it a try with the Harmony Link -- a WiFi-to-IR bridge that allows you to control your TV from any room of the house via an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Android device. For $100, it's a setup that promises to blend ease of programming with network connectivity and multitouch control. So exactly how good is Logitech's attempt? We'll reveal that after the break, of course. %Gallery-135375%
Logitech Harmony turns iPhone, iPad into a remote
Logitech has announced the Harmony Link, a Wi-Fi remote base station/iOS app combo that turns your iPhone or iPad into a remote control for your TV. Logitech isn't the first to come to market with a hardware/software iOS remote, but the Link may well be the coolest. Its magic lies in the Harmony Link app and its visual TV guide. Instead of simply scrolling through a text-based list of TV shows, the Harmony Link app displays your channels and their shows using large visuals. Swipe left or right through title cards representing TV shows (usually the show's logo) then tap an image to find out more about the show. Tap the "Watch Now" button to tune your TV to that channel or mark favorite shows and channels so you can quickly skim them to see what's on. As cool as it is, there's one caveat to the Harmony Link app. Currently the visual guide will only work on the iPad. iPhone (and Android) users will have to use the remote app sans visuals. The Harmony Link base station plugs into your wall and has eight "snake" IR receivers that can reach your devices even if they are tucked out of view in a home entertainment cabinet. The Harmony Link base station connects to your home Wi-Fi network, which is also how it takes commands from your iPad or iPhone. No line of sight or additional IR attachments are needed for your iOS device. The Harmony Link hits shelves next month for US$99. It's also available for pre-order now. [via TechCrunch]
