Smart Home Blog

I already wrote about Philips remote control with QWERTY keyboard. Now we can see its real photos as well as video presentation below. As you may see except amazing keyboard the Philips uWand has built-in accelerometer. So, you can control your TV or HTPC easily and naturally.

I’d like to mention that I have more or less the same features with my Gyration remote control. It doesn’t have keyboard but it has IR transmitter to control IR-based AV equipment. Which also not bad.

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Recently Philips introduced its new 42″ Eco LED TV. It consumes just 40W of power in eco-mode and 0W when it’s switched off, thanks to Zero Power Switch. Together with that TV Philips offers an unique solar powered remote control. Sure batteries for remote control shouldn’t be replaced often. Maybe one time per 6-8 monthes or less. But as conception to be green the Philips remote control is good.

Well, the Boxee built a new style of the remote of future. Looks like the first its competitor will be Philips with its Home Control DUAL remote also with QWERTY. It has the same layout – keyboard is on the bottom and most important keys are on the top. Also the DUAL will have something like pointing, touchpad, or optical sensor.

There is no enough technical information about the new Philips remote. I guess it uses RF. But I’d like to have IR transmitter there as well. In that case TV can be controller via IR and HTPC – via RF. In any case, will see when Philips will publish more info.

Recently Philips joined to the 3D rush. They announced 3D HDTV lines which will include 8000 and 9000 series. The Cinema 21:9 will also get 3D compatibility. Additionally consumers should buy active shutter glasses to enjoy 3D content.

The 3D HDTV from Philips will be available this Summer. But the price for TV and glasses is not known yet.

With new major update of Philips ProntoEdit Professional software Pronto TSU9600 WiFi Remote can control Sonos zoned music system. It works nice – automatic search of players, playback control etc. Only search of desired track takes too much time.

The module to control Sonos is based on UPnP/DLNA engine incorporated into the Pronto platform. Using it you can implement similar module to control any UPnP/DLNA system.

Check the demo after jump.
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