Harmony Remote Pushes For Additional Simplicity

Staff On Nov 24 2003 - 8:00am

In an effort to remove the barrier between average remote control users and their entertainment, Intrigue Technologies is offering the PC programmable Harmony SST-659.

Utilizing Smart State Technology (SST), the remote boasts a fully back lighted keypad, interactive display and dedicated navigation controls with a super simple button layout that is well suited for the expert and amateur alike.

The technology behind the SST-659 can be accessed by connecting to a Web site, walking through a single set-up wizard, and then downloading the configuration into the remote through the supplied USB cable.

The SST-659 is custom configured by users on a personal home page at HarmonyRemote.com, which is accessible to PCs and Macs. The simplified approach eliminates the complicated programming required of many universal remotes.

Users simply answer a series of online prompts about their A/V system. Harmony then configures the remote by downloading all instructions for each user's unique mix of components. It is 100 percent macro-free, where users need perform no programming of their own, need no special software, don't have to look up obscure codes written in tiny text, nor tediously program their remotes component by component by component.

The SST-659 controls all A/V components and also game box devices, MP3 music servers, curtains, lights and more. Suggested retail is $199.99, and the remote had been scheduled for a September debut.