NYXboard
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Motorola NYXboard surfaces from the dead, XBMC reclaims it (update)
Seven months ago, Motorola unveiled a dual-sided, QWERTY-laden TV remote control: the NYXboard. It was never heard from again. Today, we've learned why -- the open-source community will be selling a version specially redesigned to control your XBMC rig. The folks at Pulse-Eight -- a startup with roots in the XBMC community dedicated to designing hardware -- tell us they actually talked Motorola out of bundling the remote with set-top-boxes in favor of a nefarious plan. Simply put, they want you to be able to purchase an IR and RF remote that natively supports XBMC for a penny under $60 this June. While we don't have any real pictures of the unit quite yet -- just the renders you see above and below -- developers say it will work with installations on Mac, Windows, Linux and the original Apple TV on day one, and will actually turn off the side of the remote that's face down to avoid accidental inputs. You'll find the NYXboard up for pre-order now at our source link, with the first shipments slated for around June 27th. Then again, you might want to wait, as we're told there are more surprises in store: a second version that can control the Apple TV 2, and a secret method which would allow the remotes to control your home entertainment center without pesky line-of-sight infrared. The best laid plans and all that... but it sounds like Logitech's Harmony may finally get some competition. Update: The situation's a bit tricky, but the XBMC Foundation (a non-profit entity) wants you to know that hardware vendor Pulse-Eight (a for-profit venture) isn't actually part of their group -- Pulse-Eight was founded by an XBMC team member and produces hardware targeted at the XBMC community, but apparently isn't funded by (nor directs funding towards) the XBMC foundation itself. %Gallery-120486%
Motorola exec struts Medios TV guide platform capabilities in IBC video
After seeing Motorola's sweet-looking NYXboard QWERTY remote last week, we were itching to know if the hardware was part of a bigger plan. A new video featuring exec Malcolm Latham now answers that question, highlighting several key features in the company's Medios TV guide platform. We've known that at its core the HTML-based software was created to provide a similar viewing experience across phones, TVs, and computers, but more meaty bits like cross-platform bookmarking, a content recommendation engine, and so-called "Social TV" have been revealed. We're certainly all for our devices playing together nicely and new content suggestions, but Social TV has us a bit skeptical. The idea is similar to any instant message client in that it allows your friends to know when you're on Medios and then view what exactly you're watching. Sure, there might be some value in it -- Ping is betting that's true with music, -- but the potential for getting caught watching Gossip Girl is a serious deterrent. What's worse is that your friends can then rag you about it via chat right on the screen using their handy NYXboard remote. To see where we're coming, from check out the video after the break.
Motorola announces NYXboard QWERTY remote, super capacitor-based NYXgreen
Could we be seeing the beginning of a QWERTY trend in the living room? We can only hope -- the latest to join in on the fun is Motorola, which has just introduced its new NYXboard remote at IBC 2010. Unlike the TiVo Slide, this one packs a standard TV remote on one side and a QWERTY keyboard on the other, and -- here's the real kicker -- some sensors that recognize which side is facing up and deactivate the buttons not in use, an idea we've been waiting for. What's more, Motorola says this one will be available by the end of the year, but actual availability to customers will likely depend on the cable companies providing the set-top boxes. Also unveiled at the show is the NYXgreen, a rechargeable remote powered by super capacitors that can supposedly last for two weeks after being charged by USB for just 60 seconds, plus a pair of decidedly more standard remotes that are available immediately. Head on past the break for the press release, and hit up the gallery below for a look at the whole lot. %Gallery-101893%
