On the plus side, the inherent ESPN-ness of the remote will undoubtedly appeal to hardcore fans. It even goes so far as to play the ESPN theme song in Tim The "Tool Man" Talyor's famous grunt when you turn on the TV. Convenient features like a "learning mode" to customize functions and a programing setting that will allow you to perform multiple tasks in a single keystroke were also nice touches. However, for $300, you will be getting a device that is fairly difficult to set up, uncomfortable to hold, and includes an underwhelming W-Fi experience with a small screen and plain old WAP browsing.

All in all, PC Mag felt that you would be better off with a Logitech Harmony One as an "ultimate remote control." Not a bad idea when you consider that it can be had for at least $50 less than ESPN's remote. [PC Mag]

The Ultimate Remote can also deliver one-touch access to internet content like an electronic program guide (EPG) for TV listings, a weather widget, internet browsing, email and text messaging. Admittedly, that is a pretty formidable list of features—but whether it surpasses the best of what Logitech has to offer is up to you. The ESPN Ultimate Remote is available now for $300. [Amazon via PR Newswire and ESPN]

Ricavision and Microsoft have a tight relationship (the latter used the former's Media Center computers way back years ago to do one of the first demos), which explains why they're both sticking it out with the SideShow technology. The VAVE100 remote, however, is both cool and confused.

The remote's targeted toward power users with the Windows SideShow function. If you've got a Vista MCE machine, you can stream Windows Gadgets to any SideShow device that will essentially give you a little screen to read/interact with Windows functions wirelessly. This is cool, and works fairly well on the remote. Where it starts to get fuzzy is the universal remote side of the issue.

Instead of making it just a SideShow remote that controls a Windows MCE machine, they made it a universal remote that's to take on universals like the Logitech Harmony line. The problem is that the VAVE100 isn't programmable via the PC, which means you can only set up devices on the remote itself.

It's great in theory, but the fact that it's not that strong of a universal remote makes it a device that's only great if you really like Vista SideShow. Ricavision's getting FCC approval now and will ship it when ready. [Ricavision]

This is what I imagine: an IR/various 2.4Ghz technology remote with a touchscreen interface to control the more basic functions of any electronic device I own. Here's what it would have:

• A touchscreen interface would work perfectly here. On/Off should always be in the same spots right on top with some sort of standard button layout a la Harmony, or layouts could graphically mimic the devices I want to control for a more intuitive system with less reading. Want to turn on the shower? Then just twist the on-screen knob. Turning off the lights? Just flick the switch.
• Proximity sensing could automatically pick up local "favorite" items for me to control. That way I'm not searching through menus all the time.
• Trigger activated voice recognition is a must for the most simple commands. Just like I'm calling in for an air strike, I could walkie-talkie "teapot on!"
• Obviously consumer electronics manufacturers would need to decide on some standards. But they can have a choice: IR, 802.11n and Bluetooth will all be in my little remote. Actually, no. Screw IR. We're officially in the future and I never want to worry about line of site again...we'll keep it for backward compatibility.
• Two button syncing. You activate the device while you activate the remote. Done.
• Fingerprint recognition activation keeps it more secure than you bank account.
• Oh, and maybe my cellphone should be in this thing, too. That way I can lose both the remote and my mobile at the same time. And besides, it's already got my touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and super-kinetic-recharging battery (sorry, forgot to mention that).

Monster Cable's attempt to control your home theater's lighting system wasn't bad, but we need to multiply that idea by about 1,000. We shouldn't need fancy, expensive home automation to make this work. Most of us already have our own Wi-Fi networks, and face it, wall controls are so 1980s. If someone could invent this by Christmas and leave it on my doorstep, that'd be just great.

Still, for almost half a grand, you'd probably expect a giant touchscreen like the Logitech Harmony 1000, and for a remote with a bunch of hard buttons, you'd probably go with a $50 low-end Logitech Harmony. But we'll reserve our judgment for when we can actually play with it. – Jason Chen

Product Site [Universal Remote via Electronic House]

Lightsaber Remote [Wonderland blog via Slashgear]

Sony Ericsson's Mobile Phone/Universal Remote Control [Unwired View]

Featuring 8-in-1 compatibility, along with an LCD touchscreen button layout, the Sunwave appears to be your standard, (nice) universal remote. But when switching between devices, the backlight color changes, easily identifying which device you are controlling. During our hands-on, we were impressed by the fluid interface, but hoping that the backlight appeared brighter in the romantic dimness of our home theaters. Oh, and what's with the 7 colors for our 8 devices? Poor VHS, shafted again. –Mark Wilson

Product Page (sorry, no clue what it costs).

Here's a sexy bit of kit. Logitech's latest Harmony 1000 universal remote does the usual song and dance— an Irish Jig, really— that previous Harmony remotes do. We're talking about access to an online user-grown database with codes for 150k devices. But it also has a 3.5-inch touchscreen, control of RF devices through some extender box, and Z-Wave. Z-Wave, you know. No? It's a wireless home automation standard that can be used to control lights, door locks, window shades, and appliances. Or, think about it like this. With one click, you can turn on the DVD player, dim the lights, and start the laundry.

More photos after the jump.–Brian Lam

Logitech Harmony 1000 [Logitech]

If you're looking for an excellent Internet-enabled universal remote, here's a good deal on a Logitech Harmony 628, which doesn't have the color LCD screen, soft keys or charging pad of its more sophisticated brother, the Logitech Harmony 880, but then it doesn't have that $250 price tag, either.

Plus, the 628's fast-forward, rewind and play keys are in more user-friendly positions. Even though the soft keys that show up on the 880's color LCD display will definitely impress your friends, using that feature every day is not as easy as pushing the dedicated activity buttons on the Harmony 628. Take my word for it, I've used them both for many hours, and the 628 is the best value in remote controls on the market and couldn't be easier to program and use. Best of all, it's selling for $40 ($130 retail) at Tiger Direct. While they last. – Charlie White

Morning Deals Roundup [The Consumerist]

UPDATE: If you simply must have the Logitech Harmony 880 with its fancy color LCD and charging cradle, Dell is offering a great deal on it for today (7/11/06) only —$100 after a $30 rebate. (Thanks, Jeff!)

Two important devices put together into one uber-device means you'll never lose the remote: since someone's going to be asking you for the opener every 5 minutes. – Jason Chen

Gadget Blog [via Uber-Review]

So what justifies the $299 price tag over the $99 on the 520? It's rechargable, it has four more buttons and it's got a color screen. Other than that, the "Harmon Kardon" label may be more acceptable to your wife compared to the "Logitech" on the 520. Other than that, there's no big upgrade difference.

Product Page

Harman Kardon Unveils Branded Harmony Remote [Zatz not funny]

This week at Lifehacker: Watch a video demo of an iPod running Linux. Still required to use IE at work? Have some strategies for surviving IT lockdown at the office. Build an Lego iPod dock. Turn your PSP into a universal remote capable of controlling over 1,800 devices. Automatically defrag your hard drive, reboot your PC or start up Firefox with all your favorites opened in tabs with Windows Scheduled Tasks. Finally, massage your LCD's stuck pixels right out.

New Remote Controls Out [PVR Blog]