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Filed under: Home Entertainment

Panasonic is looking to reinvent the remote control with its EZ Touch Remote prototype that it is showing off here at CEATEC. Rather than rely on a touch-screen interface that forces one to look down at a remote (and away from the object of one’s entertainment), the concept puts the visual feedback where it belongs: on the screen. The remote can sense left- or right-handed users and adjust the interface appropriately, moving important triggers around based on where one’s thumb may (or may not) be. Dual touch pads allow for multitouch data entry and zoom manipulation, while gestures allow for quick scrolls, making this one of the most intuitive and drool-worthy remote controls we’ve seen in a while, or ever. We’re so into it that we’ve provided a full gallery and three videos after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic’s EZ Touch multitouch remote control concept hands-on and video

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Source: Joshua Fruhlinger

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Filed under: Robots

Finally, a robot that “gets” us. Researchers at Toshiba in Japan have created a talking bot that can be used as a voice-activated universal remote in addition to formulating plots about terminating humans. The 5-pound, 11-inch-tall android is called ApriPoko, and is capable of learning how to control electronics by watching you and asking questions about your behavior. When you use an infrared device, the robot senses the signal and asks the user “What did you just do?” If you say something akin to “I turned on the TV,” it will commit the command to memory, and you can operate those functions by voice. Apparently, the little guy is still in the R&D stages, but there are plans to turn this technology into a consumer device — one which the company swears will not kill you in your sleep.

[Via Pink Tentacle]

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Source: Joshua Topolsky

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Filed under: Transportation

After this, you’ll never have the same mental image when hearing “remote controlled car” again. Ever. Resident engineer and all around madman Dr. James Brighton took a break from his rigorous teaching duties at Cranfield University and whipped up a RC Hummer H3 — as in, the man converted an actual Hummer H3 into a remotely controlled toy. Amazingly, the conversion was completed in just a month, and it’s reportedly able to “climb a 407-millimeter vertical wall, traverse a 40-percent side slope and operate in up to 610-millimeters of water.” Hit up the read link for a few more images of this guy having the time of his life.

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: Home Entertainment

While the corporate IT world has long had access to remotely-controlled power for servers and data centers, it’s pretty cutting-edge stuff for home theater, with PS Audio releasing the first line of Internet-connected power management devices. Ranging in price from $600 to $1,995 and scheduled to release in Spring 2008, the four products in the PowerPlay line differ in number of switchable and isolated plugs, but all offer a web interface to toggle power, schedule reboots, and monitor power quality. There is an RS-232 port for hardwired power control as well as IR blasters for turning devices back on after a reboot. Now you can reboot your TiVo without ever stepping foot in the house.

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Source: Erik Hanson

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Filed under: Home Entertainment, Peripherals

Philips apparently came to CEDIA for one reason: to showcase its expanding remote control lineup. Yeah, we saw a digital photo frame and LCD every now and then, but this place felt more like the remote section in Circuit City than a typical booth. ‘Course, we aren’t griping or anything, so head on over to EngadgetHD for all the remote controlling you can handle.

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Peripherals

If you somehow managed to hold off on picking up a Toshiba HD DVD player along with eight free titles, and you eat, sleep, and breathe Star Trek, we’ve got a feeling your resistance is futile. In an admittedly interesting promotional move, Toshiba has teamed with CBS to offer those who purchase Star Trek: The Original Series HD DVD box set and any Toshiba HD DVD player a “limited edition Star Trek Phaser remote” that will operate Tosh’s HD DVD players. Regrettably, there’s no mention as to how many of these things will actually be handed out, but if you’re even remotely (ahem) interested, we’d be on the ball as soon as the set lands.

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Shortly after blessing us with a sneak peek at its BeoVision 8, Bang & Olufsen is now showcasing its interestingly-designed Beo 5 remote control. This device seeks to dictate your AV system and dabble in home automation, and touts a “square glass display with soft touch keys, an aluminum ball with tactile keys and a volume wheel,” and a simple charging base as well. Of course, it wouldn’t be a B&O unit without a few fanciful extras, such as the adaptive backlight in the LCD, macro support, and an “intelligent” interface that “presents just the relevant menus and controls” on the display. Unsurprisingly, there’s no word yet surrounding price or availability, but feel free to check out a few more shots of the Beo 5 over at EngadgetHD’s gallery.

[Thanks, klaus]

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: Home Entertainment

Isn’t it possible that our remotes have gotten too complex? Do you ever long for a time when a basic control was all you needed to navigate the seas of home entertainment? Well, perhaps Sony is feeling your nostalgic vibe, because the company has just launched a new group of remotes in Japan that definitely harken back to a simpler time. The RM-PZ1FD (above) appears to be Sony’s answer to the clutter of your everyday universal behemoth. The model comes in three retro colors, and is strangely waterproof (for those simpler times by the pool). The company is also releasing two other “vertical” models, the RM-PZ1SD and RM-PZ1D, if you’re a stickler for single-handed operation. All controls available in Japan in late August for ¥2,468, or about $21.

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Source: Joshua Topolsky

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