This smart remote can control every smart device you own
Finally, a smart remote that can control everything.
Credit:
Reviewed.com / Nick Schmiedicker
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Even though they're called "universal remotes," it seems like everyone I know that has one also has at least a couple other remotes to handle the rest of their entertainment center. It seems like there might finally be a solution that condenses every remote you have (and some you didn't know you had) into one.
The Sevenhugs Smart Remote has been talked about for a while now, but at CES they finally brought the model that'll ship in September. Instead of a traditional interface, the Smart Remote has an all-touchscreen surface that will dynamically adapt to your living room based on what you point it at. Point the remote at your lamp and you'll get controls for your Philips Hue. Point it at your Sonos player and a new interface will pop up for you to control your music. And if you have devices stacked atop each other or close together you'll get an easy-to-use swipeable interface to select the what you want.
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It's not just your devices that the Smart Remote will work with, either. You'll also be able to pair it with select services like Uber. All you need to do is point the remote at your front door, select one of your preset destinations, and a car will be ordered for you.
It works thanks to a built-in accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, and internal sensor that's all paired with three sensors you place in a single room of your home. You plot out where your devices are and the remote will remember so all you need to do is point at them for a dynamic interface to appear. (Bring the remote to a different room and you'll still be able to control everything, just with a sliding toggle for all your devices instead of the positional tracking.)
The Smart Remote is charged off of a USB-C dock and the battery will last between one and two days before needing a top-off, while the sensors run off AAA batteries. It's currently compatible with over 25,000 devices and will be out in September for $299 or you can head to the Indiegogo to preorder for $229.