14 DAY TRIAL // The first thing that comes into my mind when I see this remote is Frank Coraci's movie, Click. This is another remote that brings resemblance to the film. Similarly to that movie, Harmony One allows you to control a small part of your universe, that is the entertainment universe. Why is this remote Best of Innovation? Because it does the things that another remote doesn't. All you have to do is to install the software that is shipped in the box, plug the remote to your computer and spend about half an hour for an on-line set-up process. After that, with a simple touch of a button, you can listen to music, watch TV or DVD's or play Xbox. You're in control from now on.
The requirements for Harmony One are not big. If you have a PC with Windows 2000, XP or Vista or a Macintosh OS X 10.3 or higher, an UBS port, CD-ROM drive and Internet access, you can enjoy all of its features. All that you need to use it comes in the package: the battery and charging station, USB cable, AC adapter, the installation CD and guide.
The setup process is a simple one. The web-based software has a library of about 225,000 models of digital home devices and you have to tell it what device and model you want to control with your remote. Then, you are asked what sort of applications you want to be launched through this remote. The software will suggest some activities based on the selected device, but you can create your own if you want. After setting up all your preferences, these are downloaded into your remote and you can start using it right away. All the settings can be changed afterwards according to your preferences.
Unlike in the case of other universal remotes, with a Harmony you don't have to manually turn on or off the devices you want to control. The simple touch of a button allows you to do this from your remote. The noticeable changes that Harmony One brings to the Harmony series are the ergonomic design and the touch screen. While other remotes feature only a LCD display with several buttons along their side that dictate how you control functions of your current activity, Harmony One replaces this with a touchscreen that offers several pages of customizable functions. It means that other functions than the operating pre-programmed controls are available on the screen.
The ergonomic design is intended to appeal to the entire family. The bottom is shaped to fit you hand comfortable. The important keys are shape distinctly and within easy reach of your thumb. The backlighting of the keys and the screen turn on as you take the remote into your hand. And the rechargeable batteries make things even more easier and comfortable. The custom 950mAH Li-ion battery pack is easily removable. When it needs to recharge, you simply put the remote to rest on a little dock for a few hours.
Settings do not include only the Activities and device options, but also preferences for the way you want Harmony One to work. You can set special functions for its buttons, add buttons to the touch screen or select which functions of the devices you want to control with it. And, if you experience any problems with your devices, the Help button may help you solve it.
Another nice feature is the fact that you can use Harmony One to control all the devices you want at once (you can turn them all on or off) or you can select only one device and control it directly as with its own remote. If there are certain options or controls of that particular device that Harmony One does not feature, you can use the software to easily add them.
Although Harmony One may seem a little bit expensive as it costs 500$, it worths every penny. Only the full-color touchscreen feature adds a lot to the options that you may have on a common 100-150$ remote, not mentioning the total control of the selected devices or its ergonomic shape. It really sounds like the Click remote!
