Microsoft's Windows Vista Media Center Remote... Going Once... Going Twice... Gone

Diamond was the code-name for the Windows Media Center version included in Windows Vista. Only the Home Premium and the Ultimate editions of Microsoft's latest operating system feature Windows Media Center, and - according to the company - the high end versions of the platform are among those most adopted by end users. While Microsoft is hard at work developing Windows Fiji, the next release of Windows Media Center currently planned for availability in 2008, the company has managed to lose track of the remote control that is included in the official Windows Vista Product Guide.

In the final months of 2006, the release to manufacturing of Windows Vista generated the delivery of an updated product guide for the operating system. The documentation offered a preview of the Media remote control. And that was it from the Redmond company. To this date, the Windows Vista Media Center remote remains only on paper. Furthermore, Microsoft made sure to enrich the documentation associated with the Windows Media Center accessory by patenting the ornamental design for the remote controller. Well, a patent and a pretty picture is about all that Vista home Premium and Vista Ultimate users have seen out of the Windows Media Center remote so far. And there is little word from Microsoft on the subject.

Meanwhile, third-parties such as Trust are delivering products, not just promises. The Trust Wireless Vista Remote Control (images on the left) debuted at the beginning of July. "This handy infrared remote control, with a mini USB receiver, gives you complete control to change channels in Windows Vista Media Center. And thanks to the range of 7 meters, you can do this from almost any location. Windows Media Center starts automatically with only one push of the easily recognizable green Windows button. 49 easy-to-operate buttons provide the ultimate intuitive user-friendliness, which makes it extremely easy to navigate through files, photographs and music play lists. It is also quicker and more comfortable to view and record a TV program or a film and to listen to your MP3 collection in your living room without having to get out of your chair every time," Trust revealed in a press release.