Featuring a 2.4-inch touch display, it is compatible with 225,000 devices

Oct 3, 2012 20:41 GMT  ·  By

We've been talking about entertainment-based all-in-one systems, multimedia players, TVs (even immense, 145-inch 8K ones), HTPCs and set-top boxes for years, but seldom did remote controls make the news.

Granted, most devices that need them ship with remote controls by default, and that, itself, can be a problem. After two or three buys, there are too many of them lying around.

Logitech has created and released a universal remote control that will let owners of multiple entertainment devices tuck all those extra implements away in a box and forget about them.

Called Harmony Touch, it features a 2.4-inch color touchscreen that can have up to 50 channel icons at a time, rearrangeable as one sees fit.

In order to make it work, it just needs to be set up online, after which all the channels on an HDTV or set-top box, or whatever else, can be accessed through just a scroll or swipe.

Audio systems, VCRs, home-theater personal computers and other electronics devices are supported as well.

Not all the features may work on them of course, as the things that a PC can do are different from those of a TV, but that doesn't change the fact that the Logitech Harmony Touch can be used to control them remotely.

For those who want a clear perspective on things, there are, at this time, around 225,000 different devices from 5,000 brands on the support list. Up to 15 can be controlled at once.

“The Logitech Harmony Touch represents the next evolution for the universal remote,” said Joerg Tewes, vice president of Logitech’s digital home business group.

“Today, people prize convenience and want home-entertainment systems that are impressive and easy to use. With this in mind, Logitech designed a remote that makes it simple for people to customize their experience, and feel in control of their systems like never before.”

In addition to the touchscreen, the Harmony Touch has some backlit low profile keys. Sales in the US and Europe will start this month (October 2012), for $249.99 / 193-249.99 Euro.