ESPN's unleashing The Ultimate Remote, developed by tvCompass, complete with 2.2-inch QVGA LCD screen and 802.11 b/g WiFi stuffed in a 6.5 oz package. It's certainly a serious contender with the Harmony One -- and priced like it, at $300. The marketing info claims no PC is required for setup, recharging via USB, an internet browser with real time access to scores, fantasy info and TV listings for broadcast, cable and satellite from click365's wireless partners. There's even a messaging feature for texting from remote to remote, email, or to a cellphone. We got a glimpse of it at Microsoft's booth during CES, and while it claims "Advanced Microsoft Windows operating software" it's not talking about SideShow. It reminds us a lot of the Ricavision VAVE100 MCE/SideShow remote, but with a slightly different feature set. Father's Day is coming up and suddenly walking over to the computer (or keeping a laptop or PDA/phone on the couch) is sounding like a lot of unnecessary work. Check after the break for a bigger pic with keypad breakdown, or head to Amazon to preorder.

[Via Electronista]

If you're looking for a little bit of extra snazz in your TV remote, then you might be interested in the Windows Embedded Smart Remote from TV Compass, which takes a few Windows Mobile interface cues, mixes in some WiFi and a LCD, and manages to do little more than its smart remote peers, just with a little more ugly. The remote, which just recently passed through the FCC, does all that usual channel-changing and home theater control stuff, plus adds in WiFi for programming guides off the internets. You can also access news, weather and the like via WiFi and the click365 service. No word on detailed specs, launch date or price, but perhaps we'll spot this thing in Vegas this January. Keep reading for a few more pics and screens.