Now that Logitech has stopped producing remotes

[3dbinCanada]

All the IDIOTS are out on ebay now trying to sell new remotes in unopened packages for 3x what they are worth. Nothing like a shortage to bring out the dregs of society.

 

[mechman]

Ain't that the truth.

 

[DonH57]

What alternatives are available for universal remotes?

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

What alternatives are available for universal remotes?

Unfortunately, not much.

The Harmony was always my second choice, I was an original NEEO user and I loved where that was headed. Then they hobbled it with an update about 48 hours before announcing they had sold the company to Control-4 and would no longer update the current version (which had just quietly received numerous bugs). It was a great remote, but unfortunately it was no longer reliable.

Most of the comparable options these days involve hiring a custom installer to update your remote anytime you buy a new streaming device or Blu-ray player, which isn’t something that I’m real excited about. I like control over my control.

There are a few options out there that are home-brew app-based solutions, and I love having the ability to open an app and fire up the theater to get everything powered on before I go downstairs to the theater, but once I’m in the room I want a dedicated device.

I’m hoping to be able to continue to use the Harmony until a new, better option becomes available. Currently, I’m keeping tabs on the YIO (I assume it’s pronounced like NEEO but with a Y?), which plans to go to on Kickstarter this summer at some point. Hopefully it doesn’t take as long to deliver as the NEEO did (about 2 years, maybe longer). But it seems to have that same, really nice design and construction that NEEO had.

Unfolded Circle

The missing home automation control platform. Starting with Remote Two. The only remote you will ever need. Local and open.

www.yio-remote.com

If this doesn’t end up being the one, and the Harmony starts to lag, I would likely go back to the NEEO via Control-4.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I use the Universal MX-890 in both rooms... love it, and super duper flexible.

 

[Asere]

Now that they stopped. Is Harmony going to keep their current software available for the current remotes?

 

[JStewart]

I use the Universal MX-890 in both rooms... love it, and super duper flexible.

Do you have a link to programming instructions? I couldn’t spot it.

 

[DonH57]

I looked at the MX-890/990 a while back but you need a dealer to program it for you... From their website: "Professional programming by authorized URC Complete Control® dealer required". They do not have a list of dealers last time I looked; you have to fill out a contact form so their dealer can contact you. I think a year or two ago the closest one was an hour-plus away. They do not allow online sales and have strict policies for violators (e.g. a friend bought one from Amazon and found out their was no warranty and no dealer support to program it -- at least he was able to return it after an appeal to Amazon since it was a third-party sale through Amazon -- it took him some effort and he got lucky).

I'll have to remember to check the YIO site from time to time.

Logitech says they will continue to support the Harmony line. Their track record has actually been good with support for older products; we'll see. I can get the Harmony to do what I need but find their programming site hard to follow. They make you jump some hoops to customize things like delays and sequencing, at least last time I had to program my Harmony One a year or two ago, and customizing buttons and such was not straight-forward.

 

[firedog]

Now that they stopped. Is Harmony going to keep their current software available for the current remotes?

They claim they are going to continue support for the platform.
Don't know exactly what that means. Will they add new devices to the database? Will they come out with an updated version if some Windows or other OS change demands it?

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

They claim they are going to continue support for the platform.
Don't know exactly what that means. Will they add new devices to the database? Will they come out with an updated version if some Windows or other OS change demands it?

I would imagine that they will continue to add new devices to the database when manufacturers supply the data, however this will not likely happen as quickly and frequently as it has in the past. There will be no updates to the software or firmware itself, so if macOS or Windows 11 or iOS15 or Android Jellyfinger breaks the app, that's when you'll be seriously looking for a new remote.

 

[Mikejl]

I use the Universal MX-890 in both rooms... love it, and super duper flexible.

DO NOT update your CCP app. URC released an update a couple of days ago that will require you to have a user ID and password to their dealer portal. CCP will be unusable without credentials.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

From the limited info I’m still leaning Yio, but just saw this tonight.

https://comingsoon.higizmos.com/sofabaton?fbclid=IwAR08WKBbacI0KaZbIquUUNTATMO0vqVyFQ41xSVeGQfFA0janrzUSi4mN5A

 

[JStewart]

From the limited info I’m still leaning Yio, but just saw this tonight.

https://comingsoon.higizmos.com/sofabaton?fbclid=IwAR08WKBbacI0KaZbIquUUNTATMO0vqVyFQ41xSVeGQfFA0janrzUSi4mN5A

Thanks for this.
There’s a couple of YouTube teasers for it too, but not up on their website.
It seems awfully similar to a Harmony...

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

Just got the email that the Yio Kickstarter is live.

YIO Remote Two

Intuitive and easy to use universal remote, to control your smart home and devices.

www.kickstarter.com

 

[Todd Anderson]

That looks cool.

What are the chances that you invest $400 and get nothing?

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

This is their second remote, original was based on a raspberry pi and had very positive feedback. I’d be pretty confident on them delivering. I would bet $400 it will be delayed tho.

I backed the NEEO on Kickstarter and was beginning to doubt I’d ever see it, but it finally arrived.

 

[JStewart]

Just got the email that the Yio Kickstarter is live.

YIO Remote Two

Intuitive and easy to use universal remote, to control your smart home and devices.

www.kickstarter.com

Sharp looking device. Me like.

I noticed the sofabaton unit you posted a link to before was also on Kickstarter.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Thrill... do you happen to know the name of the first remote?

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

Thrill... do you happen to know the name of the first remote?

It was just the YIO Remote. This is YIO Remote 2.

This is the link to their user forums, which I’m sure if you’re not on a phone is easy to get to their main website.

Yio Remote Community

Discussion about the open source touchscreen remote project Yio

community.yio-remote.com

 

[3dbinCanada]

They appear very pricey.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

They appear very pricey.

The NEEO was as well, but I found it worth every penny. They’re not made of cheap plastic like the Harmony, plus they’re open source. And they don’t require an installer to configure. And they’re not discontinued.

I also looked at the sofabaton and thought it looked like the cheaper model Harmonys. After owning the NEEO, I value quality materials and design. The Harmony still feels cheap when I pick it up.

 

[3dbinCanada]

The NEEO was as well, but I found it worth every penny. They’re not made of cheap plastic like the Harmony, plus they’re open source. And they don’t require an installer to configure. And they’re not discontinued.

I also looked at the sofabaton and thought it looked like the cheaper model Harmonys. After owning the NEEO, I value quality materials and design. The Harmony still feels cheap when I pick it up.

I've done all the programming on my Harmony remotes and can't even imagine an easier interface for programming that Logitech offers. The Harmony 600 650 and 665 are so well balanced in the hand that it only takes one hand to operate. I also found the longevitiy of Harmony remotes to be very good.

 

[Todd Anderson]

This looks really interesting... anyone have any experience with it?

MyURemote - Universal Remote Control App | the Universal Remote Control App

www.myuremote.com

 

[JStewart]

I've done all the programming on my Harmony remotes and can't even imagine an easier interface for programming that Logitech offers. The Harmony 600 650 and 665 are so well balanced in the hand that it only takes one hand to operate. I also found the longevitiy of Harmony remotes to be very good.

I agree on the Harmony. Mine’s 5 or 6 years old. I’ve replaced the battery a couple of times and the labels are worn off a few of the buttons, but that doesn’t matter to me.
It’s good to know there will at least be some options when it eventually needs replaced though. I really prefer a small dedicated handheld to using a tablet or phone.

 

[JStewart]

Youthman’s YouTube video of Sofabaton X1

Easy to reach conclusion is not yet ready for prime time. He is testing a pre-production model, so there’s hope.