Audio Video News

The remote control is one of the great inventions of the 20th century but one in severe need of refinement. Many consumer polls have demonstrated that remotes remain among the most confusing and frustrating devices in common use.

Consumers' dissatisfaction is a huge opportunity for innovative manufacturers. Intrigue Technologies Inc. has leaped into the breach with its new Harmony SST-688 remote. The sleek device was shown at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and has won several awards for its patent-pending "Smart State Technology."

Intrigue Technologies describes Smart State Technology as a means of "removing the barrier that exists between the average family and their entertainment." The SST-688 is custom configured via a personal home page accessible by both PCs and Macs. Users simply connect the remote to their computers via the supplied USB cable, and answer a series of online questions. This simple approach eliminates the complicated programming required of other universal remotes, including setting up "Macros," those complex multiple command instruction sets. Users can update the remote for new or rearranged components logging onto their home pages and making the necessary changes.

Users operate the SST-688 by selecting one of the "Activity Buttons" - such as "Play DVD," "Play Music," or "Watch TV." The remote then sends all the commands needed to operate the user's entertainment components for that specific activity.

The Harmony SST-688 features a fully backlit keypad with keys arranged both logically and ergonomically. It has an interactive display and dedicated navigation controls, with extra keys for use with any personal video recorder. The button layout is simple and intuitive. Intrigue Technologies claims that the SST-688 "can be used by anyone without instruction once it has been programmed."

Suggested list price is $229, with delivery slated for Spring 2004.