Logitech unveils Apple TV-compatible Harmony Smart Keyboard for the living room
Logitech on Tuesday took the wraps off of the latest addition to its Harmony intelligent remote control lineup: a Bluetooth-enabled keyboard with integrated touchpad, compatible with a plethora of living room devices, including the Apple TV.
Morges, Switzerland-based Logitech says the keyboard is designed as a way to speed up text entry and navigation on set-top devices, though the peripheral also features dedicated buttons for media controls like play and pause. Consumers who connect a Mac to their television can also make use of the integrated touchpad in lieu of a separate mouse or Magic Trackpad.
"Internet-connected and streaming-media devices seem to deliver limitless entertainment options, however their accompanying remotes struggle to keep up with the text entry needed to search for selections," Logitech marketing executive Chad Thompson said in a release. "Our goal with the Logitech Harmony Smart Keyboard is to unite Logitech's expertise in both universal remotes and keyboards to provide a fast and simple way to search for and navigate through the vast content options available through the living room's entertainment devices."
According to Logitech, the Harmony Smart Keyboard will work with more than 225,000 home-entertainment devices from over 5,000 brands. That includes game consoles like Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation, for which the keyboard includes special navigation buttons.
The keyboard comes packaged with a radio frequency and infrared extender so that devices can be reached even when they are behind closed cabinet doors. Users can also control devices and setup the keyboard through Logitech's Harmony app for iOS.
The $149.99 Harmony Smart Keyboard is available now for preorder from Logitech's website, and the company expects to start shipping later this month.
Morges, Switzerland-based Logitech says the keyboard is designed as a way to speed up text entry and navigation on set-top devices, though the peripheral also features dedicated buttons for media controls like play and pause. Consumers who connect a Mac to their television can also make use of the integrated touchpad in lieu of a separate mouse or Magic Trackpad.
"Internet-connected and streaming-media devices seem to deliver limitless entertainment options, however their accompanying remotes struggle to keep up with the text entry needed to search for selections," Logitech marketing executive Chad Thompson said in a release. "Our goal with the Logitech Harmony Smart Keyboard is to unite Logitech's expertise in both universal remotes and keyboards to provide a fast and simple way to search for and navigate through the vast content options available through the living room's entertainment devices."
According to Logitech, the Harmony Smart Keyboard will work with more than 225,000 home-entertainment devices from over 5,000 brands. That includes game consoles like Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation, for which the keyboard includes special navigation buttons.
The keyboard comes packaged with a radio frequency and infrared extender so that devices can be reached even when they are behind closed cabinet doors. Users can also control devices and setup the keyboard through Logitech's Harmony app for iOS.
The $149.99 Harmony Smart Keyboard is available now for preorder from Logitech's website, and the company expects to start shipping later this month.
Comments
Yeah, it is for smart TVs and set-top boxes... Ignore the Windows key while you are looking at it.
Most folks that have an Apple TV will use the Remote App on their iPad or iPhone. Why spend a bunch of extra money?
This. The entire idea of a 'couch keyboard' is mind-blowingly idiotic. That is what the iPhone/iPad is for.
Backlit?
So, is this a phablet size remote, or mini keyboard?
Backlit?
Judging by the size of the iPhone, I’d say it’s standard Bluetooth keyboard sized, plus pointless trackpad.What's with the Windows Logo?
Someone needs to get on kickstarter and make the Bluetooth love-child of this and the Apple Remote:
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/fzNteNi.jpg[/IMG]
I would guess they plan to market it to Windows users too for desktop use and media center.
Exactly!
What's with the Windows Logo?
I would guess they plan to market it to Windows users too for desktop use and media center.
Yeah, the site says it is Command on Mac and Menu on PS3, etc. In other words, they are catering to the Windows crowd and trying to expand their total addressable market by including AppleTV even though no self respecting AppleTV user would do this.
Most folks that have an Apple TV will use the Remote App on their iPad or iPhone. Why spend a bunch of extra money?
This. The entire idea of a 'couch keyboard' is mind-blowingly idiotic. That is what the iPhone/iPad is for.
If you are going to get a BT keyboard for your AppleTV, I can recommend one for less than half the price of this logitech turd. It is $69 and looks great with your other Apple products.
The iPhone/iPad Remote apps don't control my TV, Roku, DVD player, AV Receiver, or any of my other hardware. The beauty of the Harmony series of remotes is that they control virtually everything and are easy to pre-program with specific sequences (to make sure each set of hardware is not only on, but on the correct input setting, etc).
Don't misunderstand me, I'm not advocating for this piece of hardware (which I'll never own), but to imply that an iPad/iPhone can do everything a Harmony remote can (without additional hardware) is just incorrect.
[IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Webtv.jpg[/IMG]
Regardless of price, I hope they keep updating the software for this in the future. I was gifted a Harmony 510 TV remote & it was totally configurable via usb with the Logitech software on my Mac Pro. However, the software stopped working & won't even launch. Extensive research & chat with Logitech customer service indicates the software requires Java 6 to run, & will not work with Java 7. Their solution, I should also install Java 6 so I can run this (one) program. I asked if they were going to upgrade their software to run Java 7 & Mavericks, & was thanked for my input.......
Hope they do better for the customers who purchase this above new product.