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Ask Engadget HD: Best remote with WiFi & EPG?
We've always preferred our program guides up on the screen where our eyes already were, but having a list to skim over without squeezing the action into a corner or hiding it behind text is too appealing for some to give up. So what do you do if you're like Jorge stuck using a remote rendered useless without its EPG info from Philips? "My Philips WiFi RC9800i remote's screen EPG service was terminated on 03/01/2010. I can't find the tvCompass remote for sale anywhere, which in theory has the same feature, so I was wondering, is there any other remote control, current or recently discontinued, that includes an EPG feature? Is there a remote with an EPG updated from TitanTV?" We spotted the tvCompass ESPN branded remote in stock at Target for a smooth $299, but is that really the best alternative? We guess there's always an app or two available for your mobile device of choice, but universal remote functionality would likely still be missing. So, outside of buying a high end Samsung TV or waiting for Sling's Touch Control 100, what's the best option?
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]
ESPN Ultimate Remote is now shipping, inexplicable packaging comes free
Just in time for Father's Day, ESPN's tvCompass-built WiFi Ultimate Remote is finally available, and rapidly making its way into the awaiting, Cheeto-stained fingertips of a couch potato near you. It still costs $300, and with a good number of laptops retailing for that price these days, it's certainly hard to justify, but forget all that... who on earth thought this packaging was a good idea? It kind of looks like a dumbbell, but not. We're really at a loss for words here. It's almost like ESPN wants to fail.
ESPN's Ultimate Remote in the wild
Our pals over at Zatz Not Funny go their hands on one of those newfangled, silly-expensive WiFi Ultimate Remotes built by tvCompass for ESPN. They found the built-in episode guide to be quite nice, and the potential for content partnerships beyond the existing ESPN sports content "limitless." So, $300 worth of limitless? Time shall tell.
ESPN unveils The Ultimate Remote, is WiFi worth $300?
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]
WiFi-enabled universal remote pulls codes from the web
You probably won't be seeing TVcompass's SR 1500 universal remote released looking exactly like this (or even bearing the TVcompass name) but we have high hopes some other company will rebrand the WiFi-enabled unit soon. Featuring a QVGA display,and Windows CE, the SR 1500 pulls device codes from the web using the built-in browser, which supports Flash and J2ME, backup settings to a server, and do custom guide displays. There's no pricing yet, but hopefully that'll get sorted when this thing gets picked up for resale.[Via pocketpcwire]
TV Compass sneaks WiFi, LCD equipped Smart Remote by FCC
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.
