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Ricavision kicks out VAVE100 universal MCE / SideShow remote
Following up on the RICA 100 that Ricavision unveiled in May is the VAVE100, which doesn't deviate too far from its past siblings in the design department, but does offer up a 2.4-inch QVGA LCD, a shiny green MCE button and SideShow functionality. As we'd expect, this thing is a Class 1 (~50 meters promised) Bluetooth device with A2DP support, and it comes with its own docking station, a BT transceiver and a power charger. The remote enables users to control over 20 different components from up to 50-feet away via IR, and the buttons are backlit to keep you from fumbling around in the dark while trying to switch tracks. Unfortunately, you won't be using one of these to control your new gear (you are asking for new gear this year, right?) until next February, but you will save $25 by pre-ordering now for $274.[Thanks, Ronald]
Ricavision Sideshow PDAs in-the-wild, to sell for $80?
Texyt got their hands on two of the Ricavision-designed prototype Sideshow PDAs that we first heard about a few weeks ago: specifically, the MK140 eChatter (pictured) and Fridge Magnet models. Winbond representatives said that the Sideshow devices could cost as little as "about $80" for the smaller Fridge Magnet device, and "about $150" for the larger eChatter with a QWERTY keyboard, but as Winbond's background is chip manufacturing, they could have meant that this is how much the devices will cost to manufacture and not how much they'll go on sale for (so don't get your hopes up just yet). We'd love a Bluetooth enabled, 5-inch touchscreen PDA for 150 bucks as much as the next gadget maniac, but we'll try and keep it down until we see it confirmed.[Thanks, ZSX]
Ricavision unveils its latest Sideshow/MCE remote, the RICA100
Ricavision continues to rock the SideShow action today -- in addition to the devices unveiled yesterday, it looks like they're finally ready to ship that nifty SideShow-enabled Vista Media Center Edition we saw back at CES as the RICA100. There's been a few changes since -- Bluetooth range has been increased to 300 meters, the button layout has been substantially beefed-up and revised to meet Microsoft's MCE guidelines, and the docking / charging cradle has been totally redesigned into a smaller, sleeker unit. All those changes don't come cheap, though -- the RICA100's MSRP is now $299, up from $199. We can't help but notice that this design is just a render too, though -- let's hope Ricavision shows off an actual physical product sometime soon.[Via eHomeUpgrade]
Ricavision's Vista SideShow MK140 Fridge magnet, E-Reader, and eChatter
Ricavision, the company that brought us the SideShow MCE remote, has announced three new SideShow devices that make some different approaches to the SideShow format. Final evidence that Windows has permeated every niche is the MK140 FM Fridge Magnet/Scribbler, which has a massive magnet on the back for convenient attachment to the big box in your house that dispenses free food. It runs Windows Vista SideShow and wirelessly connects with your PC, and has a 3.5-inch LCD for all those simulated sticky notes. It has a 16-hour battery life, which may sound like a lot, but which will probably mean having to charge it up overnight, every night. The second gadget is the Home E-Reader that also runs SideShow, but has a big, grayscale screen that is great for displaying e-books. Finally there's the SideShow based MK140 eChatter, which is designed for composing emails and sending instant messages on a WQVGA 5-inch display and a QWERTY thumb keyboard, tapping into your Vista PC wirelessly for internet connectivity. It can also accept an audio headset for voice communication, and will last 16-hours on its internal battery. Unfortunately, there's no word on availability or pricing for any of these devices just yet. [Thanks, Cameron B]
Ricavision's Vista MCE SideShow remote does Bluetooth at 100-meters
Just one day after seeing the first "officially announced" SideShow remote for Vista Media Center Edition, out pops this slider from Ricavision. Their loquaciously named remote -- the Microsoft Windows Vista SideShow Media Center Remote Control -- is a confirmed IR and Class 1 Bluetooth device. That gives you a 100-meter (or so) operating radius when coupled with the included USB RC6 (IR) receiver and Class 1 Bluetooth receiver. Nice, however, what's most notable is that sweet, sweet 2.5-inch QVGA LCD display for Microsoft's promising SideShow technology; a bit of magicking that hooks the remote into a suite of Media Center "Gadgets" allowing you to extract and display information related to your media. In short, you'll have damn-near full control over your media center's TV recordings and schedules, music library, radio presets, and collection of pictures and video. Better yet, the remote works with any Gadget assigned through Vista's SideShow Control Panel like eMail, calendar, and RSS feeds just to name a few. Great, now add a touchscreen and hack that thing in half and we'll be able to carry it around in our pockets. Nevertheless, we'll have to give this, and other SideShow remotes a thorough hands-on at CES in January to see if they're worth the premium. Otherwise, you'll just be in suspense, wondering how to spend the $199 the MWVSMCRC will cost ya when hitting in April, 2007 -- that would just be mean. More product renderings after the break.Read (not live until CES in January)
