Technology is supposed to simplify our lives. When I was walking among the displays at the DigitalLife Press preview the other night, I tried to keep this in mind when evaluating products. It can be hard to filter out the "super cool" new technologies from the "super useful" ones, but there was one product that stood out. Not for breathtaking innovation, but for simplifying and improving upon an old idea whose time has finally come due to new technology, maybe.

I've been a big fan of Logitech for some time. In the past it was known for ergonically engineered mouses (mice?) and keyboards, and it was at the front of the pack when technology progressed to where the wires could be removed from computer and video game accessories. The company's exhibit at the DigitalLife Press preview (pictured above) centered around universal remote controls. Logitech entered this space with the purchase of Intrigue Technologies back in 2004 for $29 million. Along with Intrigue came the Harmony Remote Control, which Logitech has developed into what it hopes is the be-all and end-all of universal remote controls.

If you're anything like me, you have remotes on top of remotes: Television, stereo, DVD player, DirecTV receiver, Sirius receiver, PS2 (and that's just in the living room). Over the years I've tried many solutions, including universal remotes from several manufacturers. There were always a couple of problems, programming and functionality. Logitech is using the PC to solve these problems. With the Harmony Remote series you install software onto your computer, plug the remote in using a USB cord and a wizard takes you through a setup. Once you answer questions about how you use your home entertainment system the software automatically set up macros. The idea being that if you press a button marked, "Watch TV," the remote will turn your television on, change it to whatever video input your satellite box feeds into, turn on your satellite receiver, turn your surround-sound receiver on and select the television input. All with the touch of one button. If it works as advertised, this product would definitely simplify my life.

What's the drawback? Price. According to Logitech's Web site the retail of these remotes runs from $129.99 up to $399.99 (The $399.99 model works on RF signals, so it will work through walls). Even with the added benefit of making the entertainment system accessible to my fianceé, I doubt I'd be able to justify spending triple figures to replace something that isn't broken. Definitely an item to keep in mind for the holiday season, though. — Brian Ward

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