2010-11-24, 00:01
QWERTY remotes are going to be the next big thing IMO. And I'm certainly in the market for one, although most of the ones I want haven't hit the market just yet but I figure I would share some of the options that are either already out, or on the way based upon the research that I have done.
NOTE: I haven't a clue what will/won't work with XBMC as this is a new guide.
Motorolla NYXboard
Estimated Street Date : [unknown] end 2010 /early 2011
Communication Method : Infrared
Price: (no price announced) estimated ~$50-100
What you should know: Out of any company releasing 'qwerty' remotes, Motorolla will probably have the easiest to use keyboard area from their experience in the cell phone industry which has had 'qwerty' phones for some time so that they have worked out their 'micro' keyboard faults. Also this is one of the only (if only) remotes to have a switch detection built in so that you cannot mis-press buttons on the wrong side of the remote.
Note: Also some websites are reporting that this a a recharging 'green' remote using high capacity capacitors with a 60 second charge / 2 week life -- this isn't true.
Philips Dual
Estimated Street Date : January 2011
Communication Method : Infrared
Price: ~$149.99
What you should know:
The Philips Dual is certainly a wonderful looking remote, and has enough buttons on the front side for XBMC uses, but may not have enough buttons to become your 'replacement' remote for all your home theater needs. This remote has a gyro inside which allows for 'movement actions' to be performed (not sure how useful this is in the real world), and I'm fairly certain that the gyro on this also performs like the Motorola NYXboard turning one side on / off. Personally this is the remote I am most excited about.
D-Link Boxee Remote
Estimated Street Date : Soon!
Communication Method : RF
Price: ~$49.99 amazon.com listing (available now if you purchase 'D-Link Boxee Box')
What you should know:
This unit makes use of RF technology, it is unclear on what command interface is used or if it will even include a RF adapter. The Boxee is a very sleek/simple remote which many people have been drooling over, however it may not have enough buttons on the front that one might want, but comes pretty close. As seen in the picture below it is also a little bit smaller then I originally thought.
Tivo Slide
Estimated Street Date : Available Now
XMBC Full Functionality : ... Not Yet ... (see XMBC thread discussion here)
Communication Method : Infrared & Bluetooth Combination
Price: ~$69.99 amazon.com
What you should know:
This unit ?seems? to make use of both Bluetooth & Infrared communication. There are a few XBMC users playing around with this remote already, if you a pc/xbmc guru and have some $$ to spare feel free to pick one up and join in the development of this remote. I have to say that I am fairly impressed with the remotes overall layout, aside from the 'main' remote area which offers more then enough buttons for XBMC, the keyboard area still offers a navigator/select pad which is a huge plus as you will be able to continue to navigate XBMC without constantly switching back and forth, and they make use of a number pad instead of a 'key shift' button with them overlaying on other keys.
a massive product shot can be found here
Vizio Vurio
Estimated Street Date : Available with select LCD TV (unsure if this product will be able to purchase separately in the future)
Communication Method : Bluetooth
Price: unknown
What you should know:
This unit makes use of Bluetooth technology, it is unclear on what command interface is used. For now you'll have to run out and buy the 'correct' TV. Hopefully Vizio will make this remote available as a separate purchase in the near future (or for those who see this remote and like it, try calling Vizio service and see if you can buy a 'replacement' direct from them?).
Cideko Air (mouse) Keyboard
Estimated Street Date : On Market
Communication Method : RF
Price: ~$84.99 purchase at amazon.com
What you should know:
While this isn't technically a 'remote control' and more of a mini keyboard, many HTPC users may find this preferable. The 'Air Keyboard' has a built in gyro mouse should you want to control you PC outside of XBMC. The unit is RF signal (includes adapter) so you will require a USB port to be available. It still has all the 'media' buttons one would be looking for including a navigator pad on the top left, and as seen below is quite a compact little unit so it can sit in many living rooms / home theaters without having to be hidden away like a full sized keyboard.
(have about 10 remotes (I think) .. will add/edit as I go
NOTE: I haven't a clue what will/won't work with XBMC as this is a new guide.
Motorolla NYXboard
Estimated Street Date : [unknown] end 2010 /early 2011
Communication Method : Infrared
Price: (no price announced) estimated ~$50-100
What you should know: Out of any company releasing 'qwerty' remotes, Motorolla will probably have the easiest to use keyboard area from their experience in the cell phone industry which has had 'qwerty' phones for some time so that they have worked out their 'micro' keyboard faults. Also this is one of the only (if only) remotes to have a switch detection built in so that you cannot mis-press buttons on the wrong side of the remote.
Note: Also some websites are reporting that this a a recharging 'green' remote using high capacity capacitors with a 60 second charge / 2 week life -- this isn't true.
Philips Dual
Estimated Street Date : January 2011
Communication Method : Infrared
Price: ~$149.99
What you should know:
The Philips Dual is certainly a wonderful looking remote, and has enough buttons on the front side for XBMC uses, but may not have enough buttons to become your 'replacement' remote for all your home theater needs. This remote has a gyro inside which allows for 'movement actions' to be performed (not sure how useful this is in the real world), and I'm fairly certain that the gyro on this also performs like the Motorola NYXboard turning one side on / off. Personally this is the remote I am most excited about.
D-Link Boxee Remote
Estimated Street Date : Soon!
Communication Method : RF
Price: ~$49.99 amazon.com listing (available now if you purchase 'D-Link Boxee Box')
What you should know:
This unit makes use of RF technology, it is unclear on what command interface is used or if it will even include a RF adapter. The Boxee is a very sleek/simple remote which many people have been drooling over, however it may not have enough buttons on the front that one might want, but comes pretty close. As seen in the picture below it is also a little bit smaller then I originally thought.
Tivo Slide
Estimated Street Date : Available Now
XMBC Full Functionality : ... Not Yet ... (see XMBC thread discussion here)
Communication Method : Infrared & Bluetooth Combination
Price: ~$69.99 amazon.com
What you should know:
This unit ?seems? to make use of both Bluetooth & Infrared communication. There are a few XBMC users playing around with this remote already, if you a pc/xbmc guru and have some $$ to spare feel free to pick one up and join in the development of this remote. I have to say that I am fairly impressed with the remotes overall layout, aside from the 'main' remote area which offers more then enough buttons for XBMC, the keyboard area still offers a navigator/select pad which is a huge plus as you will be able to continue to navigate XBMC without constantly switching back and forth, and they make use of a number pad instead of a 'key shift' button with them overlaying on other keys.
a massive product shot can be found here
Vizio Vurio
Estimated Street Date : Available with select LCD TV (unsure if this product will be able to purchase separately in the future)
Communication Method : Bluetooth
Price: unknown
What you should know:
This unit makes use of Bluetooth technology, it is unclear on what command interface is used. For now you'll have to run out and buy the 'correct' TV. Hopefully Vizio will make this remote available as a separate purchase in the near future (or for those who see this remote and like it, try calling Vizio service and see if you can buy a 'replacement' direct from them?).
Cideko Air (mouse) Keyboard
Estimated Street Date : On Market
Communication Method : RF
Price: ~$84.99 purchase at amazon.com
What you should know:
While this isn't technically a 'remote control' and more of a mini keyboard, many HTPC users may find this preferable. The 'Air Keyboard' has a built in gyro mouse should you want to control you PC outside of XBMC. The unit is RF signal (includes adapter) so you will require a USB port to be available. It still has all the 'media' buttons one would be looking for including a navigator pad on the top left, and as seen below is quite a compact little unit so it can sit in many living rooms / home theaters without having to be hidden away like a full sized keyboard.
(have about 10 remotes (I think) .. will add/edit as I go