When we last heard about Harmony, Logitech was introducing the Ultimate Remote Control and looking to unload the brand. Supposedly, the Ultimate was to be the last in a long line of Harmony control products made by Logitech. However, the company has decided to stick with the popular line of universal remotes -- and is celebrating that decision with a brand new product.
Apparently, Logitech is still very interested in controlling all of your stuff, by using something that should seem very familiar: your phone. Logitech just introduced the Harmony Ultimate Hub, an accessory that can turn any Android or iOS smartphone into a universal remote.
The actual Hub component will live somewhere neart your AV setup: in or on a cabinet or at the back of the room if you prefer. Anywhere it can generate an IR blast that can control your various components. Once the hub is plugged in and connected to your home network, you can download the compatible Harmony app and control up to eight devices from anywhere in the house. Yes, it can access all of those goodies behind cabinets and even through walls. It can also turn WiFi signals into IR and Bluetooth ones that those audio, video and gaming devices can actually understand.
Designed to work with both iOS and Android devices, Logitech says that everyone in the house can download the app for personalized control. That includes an interface with 50 favorite channel icons and one-touch control. Other features include volume and channel control, as well as fast-forward, rewind, pause, play and skip forward or back options, as well as access to virtually all of the original remote's functions via a "Device" feature just like the one found on Harmony universal remotes..
The nice part is that you won't accidentally interfere with each other. The Harmony Hub remembers the "state" of your system, (e.g., TV is on, cable box is on, receiver is on) and effectively synchronizes the app across devices. So if another user accidentally starts up the same (or a different) activity, the Hub will know which devices need to be turned on and off, even if they were previously turned on by a different user. However, fighting over which channel to watch is entirely possible, so good luck with that.
As with most Harmony devices, this one works well with most AV components. According to Logitech, the Hamony library currently includes over 225,000 home theater devices.
If the Harmony Ultimate Hub looks familiar, it's because Logitech has already been packaging it with the Harmony Ultimate and Harmony Smart Controls. This is the first time that it will be offered as a stand-alone product.
If you already purchased last year's Harmony Touch remote, you'll be happy to hear that the Hub turns that previously IR-only remote control into one that speaks RF and Bluetooth. In fact, it makes your old Harmony Touch almost identical in operation to a Harmony Ultimate. What's the opposite of built-in obsolescence? Because that's what this is.
Look for the Logitech Harmony Ultimate Hub to start selling sometime in August. The company has listed it with an MSRP of $99.99.
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