CNET calls the Logitech Harmony One "arguably the best consumer remote control currently available," and I agree. I've owned one for about two years, and it's without a doubt my favorite remote ever.
Alas, Logitech still sells it for $250, same as when it debuted in early 2008. But right now, CompUSA is offering the Harmony One for $139.99 shipped.
That's after applying coupon code OXG277 at checkout.(If this deal sounds a bit familiar, that's because I posted a similar one back in October--but the price then was $150, and it was a refurb. This one's brand-new!)
The Harmony's claim to fame is a simple (relatively speaking) Web-based interface for setting up your devices, programming "activities" (aka macros), and so on.
This particular model features a color touch screen, a perfect button layout, and a docking station that keeps the rechargeable battery topped off.
CNET's review (and the above video) should tell you everything you need to know about the Harmony One. For what it's worth, CompUSA customers rated it 5 stars on average, while some 900 Amazon buyers rated it 4.5 stars. Needless to say, it's a winner.
Thus, if you're in the market for the ultimate universal remote, this is the best deal I've seen yet. (If you know of a better one, be sure to mention it in the comments!)
On Sale Now: $199.00 - $249.99
View the latest prices for Logitech Harmony One
Today's cornucopia of technology is perfect for when you travel to visit your family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Some tech makes getting there safer and capturing the moment easier. Other tech was meant for your escape from the in-laws.
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CNET calls the Logitech Harmony One "arguably the best consumer remote control currently available," and I agree. I've owned one for nearly two years, and it's without a doubt my favorite remote ever.
Alas, Logitech still sells it for $249, same as when it debuted in early 2008. But if you're willing to go the refurb route, you can get the Harmony One for $149.99 shipped from CompUSA.
For those not familiar with the Harmony line, its claim to fame is a simple, Web-based interface for setting up your devices, programming "activities" (a.k.a. macros), and so on.
This particular model features a color touch screen, a perfect button layout, and a docking station for keeping its rechargeable battery topped off.
CNET's review (and the above video) should tell you everything you need to know about the Harmony One. For what it's worth, a handful of CompUSA customers rated it 5 stars on average, while some 800 Amazon buyers rated it 4.5 stars. Needless to say, it's a winner.
Because it's a refurb, the warranty expires after 90 days. I have no problem with that; usually, a product like this either works or it doesn't. My 2-year-old One has been dropped, kicked, abused by children, and more, and it's still plugging along just fine.
Thus, if you're in the market for the ultimate universal remote, this is the best deal I've seen yet. (If you know of a better one, be sure to mention it in the comments!)
(Credit:
Logitech)
It looks a lot like the Harmony One or the new Harmony 900 and the freshly announced Logitech Harmony 700 Remote only appears to be missing the touch screen found on its bigger brothers.
As we expected, the Harmony 700 retains most of the great features found in the One and 900 like a rechargeable battery, color screen (though smaller), and software-based setup for use with a PC or Mac.
Judging on looks alone, the 700 seems to be cut from the same cloth as the One and 900 but lacks a certain glossy finish found on the other two remotes. Also, the buttons seem a bit smaller as there's more space in between them.
The Harmony 700 is set to go on sale this month for $150. While we can't give our final take until we properly review the remote, it seems the extra cash you'd spend to upgrade to the Harmony One would be worth it--especially since the One can be found online for $180. Of course if it's RF you're looking for, the 900 is the way to go.
Full product shot after the jump: ... Read more
On Sale Now: $129.95 - $149.99
View the latest prices for Logitech Harmony 700
Due out shortly, the RF-capable Logitech Harmony 900 carries a list price of $399.99.
(Credit: Logitech)When we reviewed Logitech's Harmony One universal remote last year, we gave it an enthusiastic Editors' Choice award and really lamented only the fact that there was no RF option for users who had components hidden in cabinets or in closets. Well, more than a year later, Logitech has given us what we asked for--and even a little more--in its Harmony 900.
The Harmony Adapter for PS3 will retail for $59.99.
(Credit: Logitech)A few months ago, we reported that Logitech was getting ready to launch an accessory that would allow its IR-based Harmony remotes to control the PS3, which only has a Bluetooth wireless interface. Well, according to Logitech, the Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3 is a couple of weeks away from hitting stores in North America. Europe will see a July launch, while Australia will get it any day.
Logitech has a blog post up that offers a full FAQ on the $59.99 adapter, but the long and short of it is the accessory simply converts your Harmony's IR commands to Bluetooth signals. For better or worse, unlike some PS3 IR dongles already on the market, the adapter requires an AC adapter. But Logitech explains that it not only didn't want the adapter to use up one of "your valuable USB ports," and without an external power source, you wouldn't be able to power on your PS3 using the adapter because the PS3's USB ports are dead when the unit is powered off.
While we still think it's tragic and outrageous that Sony failed to include IR, Logitech's entry into the PS3 adapter arena is good news for home-theater fans and Harmony owners. In case you're wondering, no, it doesn't work with non-Harmony remotes--and no, it isn't compatible with the Wii either.
The underside of the adpater.
(Credit:
Engadget HD)
It appears as if Logitech is about to silence the complaints of thousands of PlayStation 3 owners who are frustrated with the system's lack of an infrared port. Those with Harmony remotes--or any universal remote for that matter--up until now have had to rely on clunky, hacked-up IR-to-Bluetooth USB dongles for their all-in-ones remotes to take control of their PS3. It seems the Logitech Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3 will play nicely with the line Harmony remotes right out of the box.
Among our largest concerns is whether the new device will have the capability to power on the PS3, something the IR solutions we've seen before don't handle as smoothly as we would have liked. There are no confirmed details yet, but a preemptive look at the FCC documents does include mention of Bluetooth and a separate power supply. Suffice to say, it sounds as this adapter will be able to power cycle your PS3. Imagine that.
You can be sure we'll have a review of this magical device the second it's available.
(Source: Engadget HD)
UPDATE: Since the publishing of this post, Logitech has spoke out about the device, shedding some light on some of the specific features of the Logitech Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3.
We can't give you all the details just yet, but we can say that this adapter will, when used with any Harmony remote, allows you to control your movie-watching experience on PS3. It will also turn the PS3 on and off - and allow you to set up your Harmony activities to include the PS3 just as you would any other device. You also won't need to dedicate any of your valuable USB ports to get that control.
The Harmony 1100 is a touch-screen, tablet-style universal remote that lists for $500.
(Credit: Logitech)When Logitech brought out its touch-screen, tablet-style Harmony 1000 in 2007, it was clearly taking a stab at the high-end of the universal remote market. Unlike other high-end--and more expensive--models from the likes of Crestron, Universal Remote Control, and Philips' Pronto line, the Harmony 1000 didn't require hiring a professional home installer to program or update it, which made it a value proposition--even if it was relatively expensive compared with other mainstream universal remotes.
All in all, we liked the 1000, but it did have a few kinks. Users griped that it wasn't quite as responsive as it should have been (the interface just seemed to lag a bit). And the remote had a tendency to freeze up occasionally and have to be completely rebooted, which was a nuisance. And finally, there was a bug where if you'd press down on the volume button too long, the volume would shoot up (or down) at an uncontrollably fast rate. Unfortunately, subsequent firmware updates haven't appeared to fix these issues.
Enter the Harmony 1100. As its name implies, this model is an upgrade to its older brother. On the surface, the biggest differences between the two are that the 1100 is black instead of silver, it has a white instead of blue backlight for illuminating the buttons in the dark, and the volume and channel buttons have swapped places in response to "customer research."
Logitech also added small, tactile guides on the side of the screen to make it easier to find the right button (we're not sure what the point of this move is, since you're dealing with virtual buttons). We generally appreciated those tweaks, but it's underneath the hood where the real changes can be found.
(Credit:
Logitech)
When Logitech released the Harmony 1000 in 2007, we were disappointed that the tablet-style remote wasn't easily customizable and that the response time of its 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen wasn't quite as zippy as we would've liked. Two years on, it looks like Logitech has finally taken those criticisms to heart. The new Harmony 1100 includes the ability to customize the on-screen buttons, and its ...
Read the full post at CNET's CES 2009 blog.
On Sale Now: $324.95 - $449.00
View the latest prices for Logitech Harmony 1100
Philips Prestigo SRT9320 universal remote mixes touch screen with hard keys
(Credit:
Philips)
The Philips universal remote line has a new top dog. The Prestigo SRT9320 combines a 2.8-inch color touch screen on the top half with hard buttons on the lower portion. The screen handles both channel favorites (replete with familiar icon logos) and customized commands. The SRT9320 can control up to 20 devices, and it's completely programmable as-is--including learning modes and multidevice macros--without the need to connect ...
Read the full post at CNET's CES 2009 blog.
On Sale Now: $160.99 - $169.97
View the latest prices for Philips Prestigo SRT9320 universal remote control
