Hands-on with the Harmony One Universal Remote

The latest universal remote from Harmony is here, and it ups the ante with a couple of key improvements: a touch screen and a much-improved keypad layout. Be prepared to shell out some serious cash, however.

Set to arrive in stores next month, the Harmony One is, as we say, more an evolution of Harmony's midrange remote line than a revolution. The basic design is about the same as the older Harmony 880; you've got your color display that shows all your A/V activities (Watch a DVD, Watch DRV, Play Xbox 360, etc.), devices, and custom commands, along with 40 physical keys for essential functions (Play, Pause, Record, Skip, Menu, and so on), plus the numeric keypad. Setup looks to be a breeze; you simply go online, select your various devices and activities, then sync up the remote via USB.

What's new this time around is the One's 2.2-inch touch screen, which replaces the 880's old color display and eight flanking buttons. I gave it a try on the show floor, and the touch display works great (the screen resolution is sharper as well, and now supports network logos)—it's a welcome change from dealing with the narrow functions buttons on the older Harmony. Also new: a much better keypad layout with a new, easier-to-use D-pad (the old, oval directional pad on the 880 was a pain) and distinctively shaped Play, Pause, and Skip keys (which all had the same, boxy shape on the older remote). And cosmetically, the One's glossy, jet-black shell would make Neo proud.

Harmony's universal remotes have never been all that cheap, and at $250, the One is no exception. That said, I love my Harmony 880, warts and all, and the One looks like a worthy successor.