When using Logitech remotes, the point is to let the remote know every single appliance in your setup so you can focus on "activities", such as watching TV, or playing your Xbox, or watching a Blu-ray on your PS3. That way your remote knows exactly which thing needs to be on—and which boxes don't—for what you want to do. Since these activities are now tied to a separate physical button, you can just hit that button instead of scrolling through a list in order to get where you're going. It saves a few seconds each time, but adds up over years of TV watching.

Other features on the 700 include a color LCD screen, rechargeable AAs and compatibility with the standard Logitech remote setup program. It will be available in September. [Logitech]

The Price: $400

The Verdict: This form factor, plus the included charging dock and the RF to IR blasters make this the best remote package Logitech has right now. We've been fans of their standard remotes for a while, but combining the keep-your-eyes-on-your-tv ability of those with the extendability of their full touchscreen units makes for a winner.

If you've played with the Harmony One you should know what this remote feels like. The number keys are on the bottom, the navigation keys are in the middle and the activity keys are near the top. The touchscreen is responsive enough, and can scroll through pages of various commands for different media console items—just like their previous remotes.

The charging dock is contoured exactly like the back of the remote, taking it in lovingly into its electric arms. Imagine getting into bathtub shaped exactly like your body—this is that, except without the water or the urge to pee.

Syncing with your computer works the same way as before, but Logitech STILL hasn't managed to enable consolidating profiles so that you can have more than one remote on an account, and hasn't come up with a way to export remote profiles to other accounts. That's a huge pain in the ass if you have multiple Logitechs, and is probably our biggest gripe with their setup.

There is one included central RF to IR blaster, with two other IR blasters that can hook up to it for a total of three IR blasters. They're meant to be used in cabinets where the door is closed, or somehow out of IR line of sight, so you can literally point your remote at nothing (it's using RF) and it'll still propagate the command through to the IR blaster. This is pretty easy to set up—there's a wizard right on the remote—and you should be up and running in a few minutes. And there's very little RF delay, so you won't have to worry about that.

The upside is that this is probably our favorite universal remote package that Logitech has made, figuring in the charging dock and the RF to IR blasters. The downside is that the whole setup costs $400. If you're shopping for your first universal remote, this will probably be your last. if you already own a cheaper Logitech in the sub $100 range, find a way to sell it and pick this up. [Logitech]

Best universal remote by Logitech yet

Allows extendability with touchscreen without sacrificing the usability of buttons

Price is a little high, but less than full touchscreen remotes

The Harmony 900 isn't quite as huge and crazy as the Harmony 1000, as it retains the form factor of, you know, a remote control, like the Harmony One. But it packs in a color touchscreen to let you control pretty much anything you want. It's the best of both worlds.

It's also got a new RF to IR blaster to control your home theater components. Instead of sticking small IR receivers to the IR inputs of every device in your cabinet, you put the blaster in front of all of them and it fires off its signal in every direction, hitting everything at once. It makes the install process easier, at least. This way you can control closed cabinets (or cabinets behind you) with RF, so the repeater will send the IR to the desired components.

Look for the Harmony 900 later this month for $399.99. [Logitech]

The Price: $60

The Verdict: So worth it. Not only can the adapter turn on and off the PS3 directly from your remote—it's powered from an AC outlet instead of one of the PS3's USB ports—just about every function that the PS3 can perform can be mapped onto the remote's buttons.

The remote works by first syncing, like any other standard Bluetooth PS3 remote, to your PlayStation 3. Then it takes in IR blasts from your remote and translates them to Bluetooth commands. All you have to do is re-add the PlayStation 3 to your Logitech Harmony profile and it will automatically import the correct IR codes to your remote.

In practice, it's essentially flawless. I was able to control a Blu-ray movie, a DVD and a DivX video from just the buttons on my Harmony. At $60, it's slightly expensive, but well worth it if you (like us) don't like having two different remotes to control something. Especially if one of those remotes is a game controller. [Logitech]

The Price: $500

The Verdict: It's good at what it's supposed to be, but it's very expensive and suffers from the fact that touchscreen remotes, as a concept, are not that usable.

Compared to the Logitech Harmony 1000, Logitech's previous high-end touchscreen remote, the 1100 is definitely more polished. The black matte finish feels nicer in your hand, and the UI has prettier (and better laid out) icons. There's also slightly more customization options in the software program you use to customize the buttons compared to the 1000—so much so, that you can't carry over your settings into the new software version. Definitely a pain if you want to upgrade.

However, the 1100 has the same problem as the 1000, which is that it's only usable by right-handers (all the physical buttons are on the right), and that the touchscreen virtual buttons are only usable if you actually look at the remote. If you're the type of person that always look at your remote anyway, that's not a big deal, but TiVo owners (and Logitech 5XX, 6XX and 8XX series users) should have memorized button placement and be able to dial up a recorded show on your DVR without glancing down.

If you're set on buying a $500 touchscreen remote with customizable buttons that actually show what function they do next to the button, the 1100 is better than the 1000. It works as well as the other Logitech remotes when it comes down to actually controlling all the devices you have. But if this is your first universal remote, we'd go for one of the 5XX series, which cost about 1/8 the price when it's on sale. [Logitech]

Car Audio
• Kenwood DNX5120 6.1-Inch-Wide Double-DIN In-Dash Navigation with USB/iPod Direct Control/DVD Receiver for $499.99 (normally $550 - valid today only).

Computing
• Samsung SyncMaster 923NW Widescreen LCD Monitor for $109.99 plus free shipping (normally $160 - valid until 1/28. Use rebate form).

Home Accessories
• SmartParts SP15MW 15" Digital Picture Frame for $149.99 (normally $210).

Home Entertainment
• Logitech Harmony 550 Universal Remote Control for $40 plus free shipping (normally $75).
• Vizio XVT SV420 42" 120Hz 1080p LCD HDTV (Refurbished) for $699.99 plus free shipping (normally $800-1000).
• Toshiba Regza 42" 16:9 8ms 1080p LCD HDTV for $750 plus free shipping (normally $800. Use coupon code MMCHTV50 for $50 off).
• Sharp Aquos 52" 16:9 4ms 1080p LCD HDTV for $1,250 plus free shipping (normally $1,400. Use coupon code MMCHTV50 for $50 off).

Portable Devices (Digital Cameras and Etcetera)
• Pentax Optio Z10 8MP Digital Camera for $89.99 (normally $130 - valid today only).

Software
• Norton AntiVirus 2009 for $30.99 [3-User Pack] plus free shipping (normally $40).

Hobomodo
• Smart To-Do 2.4 Software for $0 (normally $19.95 - valid today only).
• Bob Evans Mini Fruit & Yogurt Parfait for $0 (normally $2.99 - valid until 2/28).

Computing
• LaCie 750 GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive for $88.24 (normally $125).
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Flash Memory
• Kingston SD4/8GB 8GB SDHC Class 4 Flash Card for $10.99 (normally $20 - valid today only).

Home Accessories
• Breville BES400XL Ikon Espresso Machine (Refurbished) for $99.99 (normally $200 - valid today only).
• iRobot Looj 120 Gutter Cleaning Robot for $49.99 plus free shipping (normally $80).

Home Entertainment
• Toshiba 15LV505 15.6-Inch Widescreen LCD TV with Built-in DVD Player for $199 plus free shipping (normally $270 - valid today only).
• Logitech Harmony 520 Universal Remote (Refurbished) for $39.99 (normally $70).

Portable Devices (MP3 Players, Etc.)
• SanDisk 1GB Sansa Express MP3 Player for $11.99 (Reconditioned) plus free shipping (normally $38).

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• La Vie en Rose for $12.98 plus free shipping (normally $20).
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Hobomodo
• Aartform Curvy 3D 1.5 for $0 (normally $85 - valid today only).

Obviously this slider, codenamed Niagra, is a pretty large departure from the Razr tradition—it's a slider, after all. But its lineage would appear to be undeniable, considering the distinctive keypad, thin profile and metallic finish. That said, all of the vowels in the name appear to be vital to pronunciation, so the bloodline can't be totally pure.

As for the Fairbanks and Harmony clamshell phones (below), there is little reason to believe that these are anything but a minor update to Moto's existing entry-level free-on-contract handsets. As with the smartphone leak, these renders came naked. In other words specs, prices and release dates are still a mystery, albeit one that will certainly be solved, unspectacularly, with some form of press release. [BGR via Slashphone]

Bluetooth
• Samsung WEP301 Bluetooth Headset for $4.99 plus free shipping (normally $25 - valid until 12/31. Use rebate form).

Computing
• Corsair Dominator 2GB PC2-8500 Kit for $10 plus free shipping (normally $45 - valid until 12/18. Use rebate form and coupon code EMCBCBCBD for $5 off).
• Philips SHM3100/37 Earbud Multimedia Headset [2-Pack] for $8.99 plus free shipping (normally $20).

Home Accessories
• Philips 10FF2CMI 10.2" LCD Digital Photo Frame for $102.99 plus free shipping (normally $140).

Home Entertainment
• Logitech Harmony 520 Universal Remote (refurbished) for $39.99 (normally $75).
• Sylvania NB501SL9 1080p Blu-Ray Player for $159.99 plus free shipping (normally $200).

Portable Devices & Accessories (MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, Etc.)
• Casio EX-Z9PK Exilim Pink 8-Megapixel Digital Camera for $99 plus free shipping (normally $160).
• Philips DC185 Docking CD Sound Machine for $39.99 plus free shipping (normally $55).

Navigation Systems
• Plenio 4.3" Widescreen Portable GPS System with DIVX Player for $79.99 (normally $200 - valid for today only).
• TomTom ONE 125 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator for $89.99 plus free shipping (normally $120 - valid today only).

Networking
• TRENDnet Wireless N Home Router TEW-652BRP for $25.99 plus free shipping (normally $50).

Snookumsmodo
• 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Heart Pendant with Chain for $76 plus free shipping (normally $200 - valid today only).

Hobomodo
• Nero 9 [Windows] for $0 (normally $70 - valid until 12/26. Use rebate form and this rebate form).

The One to Watch: Logitech Harmony One Introduces Significant Evolution in Home-Entertainment Control

Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote Introduces New Design with Full-Color Touch Screen, Intuitive Button Layout

Winner of CES Innovations 2008 Design and Engineering Award

LAS VEGAS — CES - Jan. 5, 2008 — Today at the Consumer Electronics Show, Logitech (SWX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) unveiled the Harmony® One advanced universal remote control, marking a significant leap in the evolution of the best-selling line of Harmony remotes. Offering the same one-touch, activity-based control as other Harmony remotes, the Harmony One makes controlling home entertainment even easier with a full-color touch screen, an intuitive button layout and an exceptionally comfortable user-friendly design. The product has received the CES 2008 Design and Engineering Award: Best of Innovations in Home-Entertainment Accessories.

As home-entertainment systems become more sophisticated and complex, people are often frustrated and overwhelmed by the need to have multiple devices, the frequent necessity for family members to have written instructions to control the system (otherwise known as a cheat sheet) and the growing number of remotes on the coffee table. And, according to industry research, more and more families will face this problem. IMS Research's report, "The Future of High-Definition TV - 2007 Edition," forecasts strong worldwide growth for HDTV over the next four years (nearly 148 million HDTV households by 2011). And in the U.S. alone, consumer spending on digital-living products is on track to hit $300 billion in 2010 (Parks Associates, "Digital Living Forecast," Dec. 2006).

"The Harmony advanced universal remotes have been highly successful at providing easy, one-touch access to favorite activities, such as watching TV, playing a video game, or listening to music - all with a single remote," said Ashish Arora, vice president and general manager of Logitech's Harmony business unit. "To further improve our lineup, while developing Harmony One, we sought to intimately understand the interaction between people, their remotes, and their entertainment systems. In fact, Harmony One is the result of our most comprehensive research and development undertaking ever - more than 20,000 hours."

A key outcome of Logitech's research is a 2.2-inch color touch-screen that uses capacitive technology, which responds to tiny electrical charges from the fingertips. Capacitive touch-screen technology is more durable, compared to touch screens that respond to pressure. The color touch screen provides control of any home entertainment device with an infrared receiver, including digital video recorders, high-definition televisions and many household appliances. The Harmony One remote's touch screen can also display icons of specified TV stations for quick access to favorite stations.

Based on a customer survey, Logitech also determined that it could improve its customers' experience with the Harmony remote by creating a more intuitive button layout. For improved ease of use, the Harmony One remote provides an intelligent and intuitive button layout divided into four distinct zones (numbers; traditional DVD controls; D-pad with volume and channel up/down; and on-screen menu buttons) for seamless control of today's most popular home entertainment devices. Only the 40 most-essential buttons appear on the Harmony One remote - so people can find the right one quickly. Each button is individually sculpted, providing useful tactile cues so people can operate the remote by touch, rather than relying on sight.

To better address ergonomics, the Harmony One remote features a curved, exceptionally comfortable shape that is easy for anyone in the family to hold, regardless of hand size. Presenting an elegant piano-black top and a silver base, and black buttons with white backlighting, Harmony One is the perfect complement for any living room. And the rechargeable remote's recharging station has a sleek profile with an adjustable light that makes it easy to find, even in the dark.

In addition to its optimized design, the Harmony One delivers the renowned benefits common to the Harmony family of universal remotes, including its exclusive one-touch activity-based control system powered by the world's largest A/V-control database of entertainment equipment, guided online setup and sophisticated telephone support.

The Evolution of One-Touch Activity Control
Using the Harmony One color touch screen, people simply touch the appropriate activity button and the Harmony One remote does the rest, including turning on the right components in the right order and setting the correct inputs. To watch a DVD, for example, people simply touch "Watch a DVD" on the touch screen. The Harmony One remote turns on the TV, the DVD player, and the A/V receiver. Then, if necessary, the Harmony One remote allows people to adjust the volume on the stereo system. There's no need to control components individually - the Harmony One remote manages everything. And the Harmony One remote even provides interactive on-screen help if something interferes with an IR command (for example, if someone walks in front of the set-top box).

Patented Smart State Technology
Patented Smart State Technology® enables the Harmony One remote to deliver activity-based control. Smart State Technology allows the remote to track the power state and input setting of the various components it controls. With this technology, Harmony remote users can effortlessly switch between watching home theater and listening to music by selecting a single activity button.

Guided Online Setup
Logitech's Internet-based setup makes getting the Harmony One up and running as easy as possible. With its intuitive setup wizard guiding the process, the Harmony One online interface allows people to enter their components' make and model numbers. Then, this information is automatically matched to the characteristics, discrete codes and infrared commands of the more than 225,000 devices from more than 5,000 manufacturers (updated almost daily) contained in Logitech's online database. Any devices that don't match can be added using the online system, and the setup process lets people add the control signals from the original device's remote control to the Harmony One remote. When people want to add a device to their living room, they can be confident that the Harmony One remote can control it - today and tomorrow.

Pricing and Availability
The Harmony One is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in February for a suggested retail price of $249.99 (U.S.). The Harmony One will be showcased in the Logitech CES booth (No. 35512, South Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center).

With the Harmony remotes there is no need for knowing any remote codes of your TV, set-top box or audio equipment. You simply attach the remote to a computer and tell the Harmony software what products you use, how you use them and the remote will do the rest. Man, this Harmony Kool-Aid is mighty tasty. –Travis Hudson

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[Via Dealhack]

RemoteShoppe Reviews Logitech Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal Remote [Remote Shoppe]

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Got a home theatre nut in the family that juggles a couple hundred remote? Get them this remote. They may not forgive you for sleeping with the gardener, but this will get you pretty damn close. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Slickdeals]