Wi-Fi universal remote returns, now with ESPN branding

Wed May 21, 2008 10:39AM EDT

See Comments (3)

Remember the tvCompass SR1500, that Windows CE-powered, Wi-Fi universal remote that controls all your A/V components and surfs the Web? Well, it's back, this time with an ESPN label slapped on it—along with a $300 price tag.

Now called the ESPN Ultimate Remote (subtle, no?), the reincarnated SR1500 comes with most of the features we saw back in January, including a 2.2-inch QVGA display and the ability to download control codes for your components (up to 18 at a time) over Wi-Fi, no PC required.

The wand also downloads its own programming guide—no need to turn on the tube to see what's on—and boasts its own click365-branded xHTML Web browser, complete with links to news headlines, ABC News, WSJ.com, Amazon, Facebook, and the like. You can even send text messages via e-mail or SMS.

What's appears to be missing, however, is killer content from ESPN—which one might expect, given that this thing is called the ESPN Ultimate Remote.

Verizon Wireless subscribers, for example, can get a pretty sweet Mobile ESPN app on their handsets with a top-notch interface, real-time scores and stats, and videos.

Unfortunately, the screenshots of the ESPN widget on the Ultimate Remote look comparatively weak. The documentation promises scores, news, access to fantasy leagues, and Gamecast scoring, but the plain-text screens aren't all that inspiring, especially next to the cool animated interface on VZW's Mobile ESPN app. Maybe I'll be more impressed after some hands-on time, but from what I've seen…meh.

And $300 for a universal remote? Pretty steep, considering that the swankiest of A/V universal remotes (not the touch panels that control entire homes, mind you) top out at about $250. And no, those remotes don't come with their own Web browsers, but hey...I've got a phone for that.

Anyway, don't be surprised if you see the tvCompass SR1500 popping up elsewhere, with different branding.

Related:
ESPN "The Ultimate Remote" Universal Remote [Product page]
Wi-Fi Remote Surfs Channels, Browses Web [Yahoo! Tech]

Comments on Wi-Fi universal remote returns, now with ESPN branding

Post a Comment

Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

  • 1 Posted by collarncuffsboy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    Do we really need a remote control that surfs the web? Come on people, I thnk that is going a bit too far.

  • 2 Posted by supertongue_comics on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    @ collarncuffsboy Exactly, if you are too lazy to walk over to your PC or, perhaps, turn on your laptop, you really need to get out of the house...

  • 3 Posted by supertongue_comics on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    @ collarncuffsboy Exactly, if you are too lazy to walk over to your PC or, perhaps, turn on your laptop, you really need to get out of the house...

More Posts: 1

Post a Comment

Sign In to Post a Comment

My Tech

Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.

Also on Yahoo! Tech

Computers Home Office Wi-Fi & Networking Phones & PDAs Cameras & Camcorders TV & Home Theater Portable Audio
 

Site Map | Tour | Subscribe to Yahoo! Tech

Question and Answer content at Yahoo! Tech is written by Yahoo! users at Yahoo! Answers. Yahoo! does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any Yahoo! Answers content. For more information, read the Full Disclaimer.

Opinions expressed by the Advisors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! receives no compensation from any manufacturer or distributor nor does it compensate any Advisor for the coverage of any product or service in any Advisor's content.