Jan 4 2013
Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI), a worldwide leader in universal remote control technologies and control interfaces, is bringing the latest innovations in universal control and accessories for connected home entertainment to CES 2013.
Key Technology Demonstrations
At this year’s CES, UEI will demonstrate several new universal remote concepts and second screen solutions for complete universal control of home entertainment devices:
Making Smart Devices an Integral Part of the Home Entertainment Experience
Tablets and smartphones are quickly becoming a regular part of the home entertainment ecosystem. According to Nielsen Research, almost 90 percent of tablet and smartphone owners in the U.S. use their smart screen device while watching TV at least once during a month; almost 70% are doing this several times a week.
With several design wins on leading mobile handset and tablet device manufacturers under their belt, UEI will demonstrate their comprehensive solution for embedded control in 2nd screen devices. This includes their global device control database and industry-leading UEI QuickSet, coupled with features such as Cloud Services, and a comprehensive range of small footprint infrared microcontrollers for quick integration in any smart device.
UEI Control Plus
Simplify the home entertainment setup and control experience across all AV devices with UEI Control Plus. This solution addresses common consumer challenges in universal device control, such as mode confusion and input switching. With UEI Control Plus technology, consumers switch easily between activities and reliably view their chosen content source. Features of this product include:
- Automated Setup – automatically detects and sets up most IP and HDMI-connected devices.
- Dynamic Key Mapping – remote buttons automatically map to appropriate devices based on the active content source device
- One Touch View (OTV) – a single button press instantly gets the user to their chosen content.
- Smart device integration – brings universal control into second screen apps
New Product Concepts
In its 21st year of demonstrating new innovative solutions at CES, UEI brings a host of new product concepts to their booth to showcase new use cases and technology applications that redefine the role of entertainment control in the home. Highlights include:
Multi-Room, “Follow Me” Remote
Building on UEI’s Universal Remote Control API, which makes integration and implementation of remote control features easier and more flexible, the Follow Me remote concept is applicable to Service Provider Zigbee RF4CE platforms and multi-room client-server set-top box systems, where a remote control can be as portable as the content, as it moves from room to room allowing users to pick up content viewing where they left off without any user intervention.
Touch to Share - NFC Sharing
Forrester Research predicted that the final number of NFC-enabled mobile devices shipping worldwide would more than double in 2012 to nearly 100 million. UEI embeds this emerging technology in a remote control to demonstrate easy sharing of video from smart device to connected TV and improved integration of second screen ad-related content with the primary viewing screen for synchronizing with companion apps, all with a single tap of the remote to the smartphone.
Bluetooth Smart Connectivity Solutions
UEI will demonstrate a line of connected remote and personal accessory concepts with embedded Bluetooth Smart (”low energy”) enabling a host of interesting possibilities in mobile device interactivity between remote and smartphone. These applications can extend beyond just universal AV control. For example, service providers can offer new enhanced services such as health and fitness monitoring by simply embedding these technologies in the most used device in the home, the remote control.
Ubiquitous Connectivity Solutions with Wi-Fi Direct
UEI will demonstrate the use of a Wi-Fi Direct remote to simplify integration of features such as gesture and voice control as well as user identification for a more personalized user experience. A Wi-Fi Direct solution requires minimal integration effort with host devices and no additional hardware on existing Wi-Fi implementations.
Designovation
Another annual tradition for UEI at CES is their designovation showcase, blending design and user experience to create products that are both aesthetically beautiful and functional to ensure successful product adoption. This year at CES, UEI will show three new design concepts including UEI Cocoon, which uses a single AA or AAA battery integrated with a new power efficient Maxim chipset and UEI’s Low Energy IR firmware for an eco-friendly remote control solution that delivers the same performance as traditional two battery remotes in a sleek design that minimizes raw material use.
UEI Ludo is another unique design concept that delivers a single, unique remote platform to address the roll out of interactive gaming on connected TVs, blending emerging trends in next generation entertainment devices such as lean back control, casual gaming, and interactive “gamepad” gaming all in one design platform.
Invited guests are welcome to visit Universal Electronics and experience live demonstrations at booth 20211 in South Hall 1 at the International Consumer Electronics Show, January 8-11, 2013.