Evolve Remote Tells You What's on TV

New $50 gadget offers an integrated programming guide, and still changes the channels.

Eric Dahl, PC World

LAS VEGAS-- Wondering what to watch on TV? Ask your remote. At the Consumer Electronics Show here this week, Evolve Solutions is showing off a new remote control that displays programming guide data on a built-in LCD screen.

The $50 Guide Remote is available now through Radio Shack. It has the capability to control as many as four video devices, including one or more TVs, DVD players, and VCRs, using a set of preprogrammed device codes.

"Remote controls are only becoming more interactive, offering more informative content, instant television guides, and new entertainment value for every television user," says Evolve CEO Frank O'Donnell. Moving that information to a screen on the remote lets people view guide information without interrupting their TV viewing.

Get Connected

The Guide Remote connects to your PC via a USB port, and downloads the programming data from the Internet. You must install a small application on your PC (and run Windows 95 or higher). Then you use that application to download up to seven days of programming information at a time. The Guide Remote then displays the information is on the remote's four-line backlit LCD.

Previously, integrated programming guides were available only on expensive and complex home theater remotes, usually priced at $200 and more. Evolve has kept setup for the Guide Remote as simple as possible: Users enter a zip code and a cable system, then choose a list of favorite channels to limit time spent scrolling through different stations.

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