The only gripe I have with mine is the key's aren't backlit and there's no "F" keys (F1, F2, etc) but there's several models out now and one of them might have those features on it.
It works a lot like a Wii remote with the mouse pointer (thought it would be weird at first, but very usable once you get used to it for HTPC use [you can't use it to play an FPS] of media, browsing, casual gaming). The keyboards work great, the keyboard feature even works with my Pivos media center player (though the mouse doesn't work as I'm guessing it's an accelerometer in the Cideko that throws it off to the mouse working).
This looks interesting, but as far as I'm concerned the Cideko's are the only real way around a kb/mouse in a device smaller than an XBOX controller that I've seen--and even then I piss and moan a bit about the F keys/backlight issue.
This remote is supposed to be able to control equipments which use IR for their remote control. So, yes, this remote does use IR in addition to RF. Like it or not, this layout makes the most sense for navigating through 10-foot UIs and controlling media playback for now.
In a typical home entertainment setup, the TV, the STB and the Blu-ray player all use IR for their remote control technology. The popularity of IR receivers for PCs also indicate the large number of MCE remotes based on IR technology.
As mentioned earlier. No function keys, big flaw, sorry I know you don't want to use them that often, but useful on boot up.
Back light, dark room and fumbling around for keys, not a match made in heaven.
I am sure they had a reason, but losing that much space to the battery cover is criminal. Please please please, if you don't go for a rechargeable remote, make it so the batteries slide in from the end on the remote, freeing up that whole area, allowing for a row of digits / function keys to be added and potential a fully functional keyboard.
This isn't actually the first attempt... the first attempt had such poor infrared capabilities that a huge (and badly botched) recall was done. What you're really buying here is a limited professional run of a homebrew project.
This is not true, the first remote's released suffered from a range issue due to a problem with the factory (manufacturing flaw) this was fixed and new remotes issued to affected customers, anyone with a faulty remote can request a replacement by contacting Pulse-Eight customer support.
This is a remote, with a keyboard for searching youtube or browsing facebook, not for issuing bash script commands, if you want to hack around on your PC, use a keyboard and mouse :)
I appreciate what your saying, however I really don't want to go and fetch a keyboard/&mouse if I need to go into my bios. It's frankly annoying.
I'm sure you'd agree that changing the method that batteries are inserted into keyobard would allow better use of the space.
On a side note, I tend to get my hptc keyboards from riitek, who have a nice keyboard, but just need to improve the consistency of the Ri connection from a manufacturing point of view. On my second one, there
Loved the feel of my denovo mini, but lack of function keys and the response of the touch pad rocker, gave up in the end.
All of these qwerty remotes are a big fail due to no backlight.
Most HT enthusiasts watch with the lights off or very dim. In fact, with a projector it necessary, at least without running your bulb in daylight mode.
This one is better than most though. The TiVo Slide is alright, has a backlight, but is cheaply made, and no stop button.
I am still waiting for the Philips DUAL.
The revised Lenovo minikeyboard /w trackball with backlighting is also neat, it just feels like a funny remote, and has 0 (or even negative) WAF.
You can get the Philips DUAL if you get the Iomega Boxee Box, that said the Dual is worse in many ways, as it has less keyboard keys, in an unnatural layout and still no backlight
Wow... I didn't know it was released by anyone yet. Thanks for the info.
It does look different than what Philips showed at CES in 2010, that version was backlit. They also removed a few buttons from the front, making it less useful. I knew they were planning on going the OEM route with it vs. making it part of their pronto line. A shame. The touchpad is nice, I also thought it was supposed to act as a gyro/air mouse (like a wiimote) the iomega doesn't seem to have that either.
I am not sure if PulseEight/Motorola is taking ideas for revisions, but unlike most, I don't mind the IR nature of the device, and like the plethora of usable media buttons on the front but 4 things would make it the perfect remote:
1. Back-lighting on both sides. I'd settle for glow in the dark rubber keys even.
2. More memory and switchable input for 4 or 5 devices, beyond just the TV and MC. ie. Blu-ray player, projector, home automation remote, receiver.
3. Macro support to program some start-up sequences depending on device selected.
4. A few more common purpose specific buttons on the front side (input/source button, menu button, record button (especially with XBMC builds with PVR functionality), a separate play and pause button, last channel) mostly to be able to replace the remotes of other devices.
This is an RF remote, that also has an optional IR capability. Just to be clear.
The idea with this remote is not to add so many buttons, you can already get powerful remotes from Logitech (Harmony) or One for all but they have low WAF (wife acceptance factor) as they are often garish and full of buttons that you must know what they do before using the remote.
A Harmony One is what I use currently and the wife loves it.
That with a Qwerty keyboard on the back /w some sort of mouse option, be it a touchpad, rocker pad, trackball or gyromouse, would be the perfect remote.
Why?
1 button to play a bluray (because the remote changes the input to the right one, turns the projector, dims the lights and turns the bluray player on and turns on and changes the receiver to the right input).
Granted I haven't looked into it much, perhaps the HDMI-CEC USB device would enable some of this. I know when I use my bluray and TV together (Samsung Anynet+ devices) I get some one touch functionality, but my reciever is not HDMI capable.
Using this remote appears very awkward on the qwerty side. The layout is all horizontal, and the remote is relatively think. No style points here either. This looks like sub-$20 device.
Agree with some other posters here that this looks more like a late 80's VCR remote.
It's not that thick in comparison to most brand remotes its thinner. Design wise, it's not going to win any competitions I agree, but equally it's quick and easy for friends and family to pick up and use without so many buttons that it takes you 5 minutes of hard staring before you can hit stop or change to the next track.
The main reason manufacturers still use IR is cost, it is a heck of a lot cheaper to use an IR diode that it is to buy all the RF components and then go through FCC approval for the remote etc etc.
Also, usability, there has yet to be a 2 handed remote design that the average consumer can adopt quickly and easily, for example what if you want to change the channel while you have a beverage in your hand?
Good remote, I own it and use it daily. My list of cons: - No buttons backlight (this is the most important missing feature, especially when operating the remote in thee dark!!). - Too sensitive tilt sensor with no way to manually disable it and manually choose the side of the remote - IR Range too short - Mouse controls are not as good as say the RII mousepad. Please implement a mousepad instead of the hard arrow buttons. - Missing CTRL & ALT buttons on the keyboard
Fixing all the above would make it a perfect remote!
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martyrant - Thursday, April 5, 2012 - link
The only gripe I have with mine is the key's aren't backlit and there's no "F" keys (F1, F2, etc) but there's several models out now and one of them might have those features on it.It works a lot like a Wii remote with the mouse pointer (thought it would be weird at first, but very usable once you get used to it for HTPC use [you can't use it to play an FPS] of media, browsing, casual gaming). The keyboards work great, the keyboard feature even works with my Pivos media center player (though the mouse doesn't work as I'm guessing it's an accelerometer in the Cideko that throws it off to the mouse working).
This looks interesting, but as far as I'm concerned the Cideko's are the only real way around a kb/mouse in a device smaller than an XBOX controller that I've seen--and even then I piss and moan a bit about the F keys/backlight issue.
MonkeyPaw - Thursday, April 5, 2012 - link
I gotta say, the thing has zero style points. If you got robbed, no one would take it because they thought it went to your VCR.Calin - Friday, April 6, 2012 - link
Is this a user guide, or just a joke of a user guide?ganeshts - Friday, April 6, 2012 - link
This remote is supposed to be able to control equipments which use IR for their remote control. So, yes, this remote does use IR in addition to RF. Like it or not, this layout makes the most sense for navigating through 10-foot UIs and controlling media playback for now.In a typical home entertainment setup, the TV, the STB and the Blu-ray player all use IR for their remote control technology. The popularity of IR receivers for PCs also indicate the large number of MCE remotes based on IR technology.
Skarnm - Friday, April 6, 2012 - link
As mentioned earlier. No function keys, big flaw, sorry I know you don't want to use them that often, but useful on boot up.Back light, dark room and fumbling around for keys, not a match made in heaven.
I am sure they had a reason, but losing that much space to the battery cover is criminal. Please please please, if you don't go for a rechargeable remote, make it so the batteries slide in from the end on the remote, freeing up that whole area, allowing for a row of digits / function keys to be added and potential a fully functional keyboard.
Good first attempt.
TerdFerguson - Friday, April 6, 2012 - link
This isn't actually the first attempt... the first attempt had such poor infrared capabilities that a huge (and badly botched) recall was done. What you're really buying here is a limited professional run of a homebrew project.Malard - Friday, April 6, 2012 - link
This is not true, the first remote's released suffered from a range issue due to a problem with the factory (manufacturing flaw) this was fixed and new remotes issued to affected customers, anyone with a faulty remote can request a replacement by contacting Pulse-Eight customer support.Malard - Friday, April 6, 2012 - link
This is a remote, with a keyboard for searching youtube or browsing facebook, not for issuing bash script commands, if you want to hack around on your PC, use a keyboard and mouse :)Skarnm - Saturday, April 7, 2012 - link
I appreciate what your saying, however I really don't want to go and fetch a keyboard/&mouse if I need to go into my bios. It's frankly annoying.I'm sure you'd agree that changing the method that batteries are inserted into keyobard would allow better use of the space.
On a side note, I tend to get my hptc keyboards from riitek, who have a nice keyboard, but just need to improve the consistency of the Ri connection from a manufacturing point of view. On my second one, there
Loved the feel of my denovo mini, but lack of function keys and the response of the touch pad rocker, gave up in the end.
BuddyRich - Friday, April 6, 2012 - link
All of these qwerty remotes are a big fail due to no backlight.Most HT enthusiasts watch with the lights off or very dim. In fact, with a projector it necessary, at least without running your bulb in daylight mode.
This one is better than most though. The TiVo Slide is alright, has a backlight, but is cheaply made, and no stop button.
I am still waiting for the Philips DUAL.
The revised Lenovo minikeyboard /w trackball with backlighting is also neat, it just feels like a funny remote, and has 0 (or even negative) WAF.
Malard - Friday, April 6, 2012 - link
You can get the Philips DUAL if you get the Iomega Boxee Box, that said the Dual is worse in many ways, as it has less keyboard keys, in an unnatural layout and still no backlightBuddyRich - Friday, April 6, 2012 - link
Wow... I didn't know it was released by anyone yet. Thanks for the info.It does look different than what Philips showed at CES in 2010, that version was backlit. They also removed a few buttons from the front, making it less useful. I knew they were planning on going the OEM route with it vs. making it part of their pronto line. A shame. The touchpad is nice, I also thought it was supposed to act as a gyro/air mouse (like a wiimote) the iomega doesn't seem to have that either.
I am not sure if PulseEight/Motorola is taking ideas for revisions, but unlike most, I don't mind the IR nature of the device, and like the plethora of usable media buttons on the front but 4 things would make it the perfect remote:
1. Back-lighting on both sides. I'd settle for glow in the dark rubber keys even.
2. More memory and switchable input for 4 or 5 devices, beyond just the TV and MC. ie. Blu-ray player, projector, home automation remote, receiver.
3. Macro support to program some start-up sequences depending on device selected.
4. A few more common purpose specific buttons on the front side (input/source button, menu button, record button (especially with XBMC builds with PVR functionality), a separate play and pause button, last channel) mostly to be able to replace the remotes of other devices.
Malard - Friday, April 6, 2012 - link
This is an RF remote, that also has an optional IR capability. Just to be clear.The idea with this remote is not to add so many buttons, you can already get powerful remotes from Logitech (Harmony) or One for all but they have low WAF (wife acceptance factor) as they are often garish and full of buttons that you must know what they do before using the remote.
But thanks for all the suggestions!
BuddyRich - Saturday, April 7, 2012 - link
A Harmony One is what I use currently and the wife loves it.That with a Qwerty keyboard on the back /w some sort of mouse option, be it a touchpad, rocker pad, trackball or gyromouse, would be the perfect remote.
Why?
1 button to play a bluray (because the remote changes the input to the right one, turns the projector, dims the lights and turns the bluray player on and turns on and changes the receiver to the right input).
Granted I haven't looked into it much, perhaps the HDMI-CEC USB device would enable some of this. I know when I use my bluray and TV together (Samsung Anynet+ devices) I get some one touch functionality, but my reciever is not HDMI capable.
ExarKun333 - Friday, April 6, 2012 - link
Using this remote appears very awkward on the qwerty side. The layout is all horizontal, and the remote is relatively think. No style points here either. This looks like sub-$20 device.Agree with some other posters here that this looks more like a late 80's VCR remote.
Malard - Friday, April 6, 2012 - link
It's not that thick in comparison to most brand remotes its thinner. Design wise, it's not going to win any competitions I agree, but equally it's quick and easy for friends and family to pick up and use without so many buttons that it takes you 5 minutes of hard staring before you can hit stop or change to the next track.Malard - Friday, April 6, 2012 - link
The main reason manufacturers still use IR is cost, it is a heck of a lot cheaper to use an IR diode that it is to buy all the RF components and then go through FCC approval for the remote etc etc.Also, usability, there has yet to be a 2 handed remote design that the average consumer can adopt quickly and easily, for example what if you want to change the channel while you have a beverage in your hand?
UltraTech79 - Saturday, April 7, 2012 - link
1975 called, they wanted their remote control design back.bigboxes - Saturday, April 7, 2012 - link
You weren't around in 1975 as you have no idea what you are talking about. LOLdoclucas - Tuesday, April 10, 2012 - link
Good remote, I own it and use it daily.My list of cons:
- No buttons backlight (this is the most important missing feature, especially when operating the remote in thee dark!!).
- Too sensitive tilt sensor with no way to manually disable it and manually choose the side of the remote
- IR Range too short
- Mouse controls are not as good as say the RII mousepad. Please implement a mousepad instead of the hard arrow buttons.
- Missing CTRL & ALT buttons on the keyboard
Fixing all the above would make it a perfect remote!