Pronto: A Universal Remote for the Whole Family

I got a hands-on look at CES at Philips' Pronto universal remote, which aligns with the integrated, automated home theme I wrote about in my previous post. It's a touchscreen remote that handles TV and music programming throughout the home, as well as incorporating home automation features, such as lighting, thermostats, drapes...you get the idea by now.

I do think the Pronto TSU9600 is the kind of remote we'll see in many homes one day, mainly because its 3.7-inch VGA screen and sharp graphics are intuitive and easy to navigate for kids and adults. Also, it doubles as an all-in-one home entertainment and automation device, which will appeal to homeowners looking to integrate more and more disparate home controls.

Web-based programming allows you to set up personalized entertainment selections for each family member. If you've got young kids, you can set up password-protected TV programming for Mom and Dad, and program pre-approved channels for kids.

At $1,299, the Pronto is clearly for the high-end home theater enthusiast right now. It would need to come down in price for it to be adopted by the rest of us. But the design is definitely something I could see being desired by families because of the simple, touchscreen interface.

What do I love about it most? It would be harder to lose than today's remotes. Our DVD player remote has been missing for a while, and I have little hope of it turning up.