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New Crestron Controller: UFO, Trackpad, Remote
The UFO is a perfect complement to Crestron’s ADMS server. At the press of a button, the 6-inch-round remote is transformed into a mouse, so users can flick their way around the ADMS TV interface, navigating through songs, movies and the Internet.
The ADMS has a special feature that optimizes the Web for couch-side viewing. With the UFO controller, users can finger effortlessly through Web pages, using the same taps and double-taps as a standard desktop trackpad.
The controller also offers a virtual keyboard for entering URLs, passwords, movie selections and more. No need to pick up a separate device.
Users also can navigate any PC on the network, as long as they’re running Crestron’s CEN-WIN Touchpanel HID Emulator software.
And, by the way, the UFO-4X is a complete controller for Crestron home automation systems, so it provides the usual control of lights, thermostats, audio, video and the rest of it. The device recently was named a CEDIA Manufacturer's Excellence Award 2010 finalist.
Multitouch functionality lets users flip through music libraries, scroll through TV channels and radio stations and select control apps.
The RF unit is good for about 200 feet indoors. It can be used in both landscape and portrait mode, adjusting automatically thanks to a built-in tilt sensor. Flash is supported for dynamic graphics.
The UFO-4X affixes to a wall mount (provided) via magnets, so it can easily wander from its home base for a spin around the home.
Modeled after Crestron's TPS- 6X and TPS-3X touchscreens, the UFO is expected to retail for about $2,000 when it ships in early 2011.
Crestron UFO-4X Features
- A rotatable handheld touchpanel with distinctive round shape
- Usable in portrait and landscape mode
- Gloss black finish
- 4.3" active matrix color touchscreen display
- Wide 160 degrees viewing angle
- 16-bit color graphics
- 800 x 480 WVGA resolution
- Dynamic graphics & text capability
- Adobe Flash object support
- Touchpanel keyboard and mouse pad capability
- White EL backlit buttons and text
- Automatic backlight level control
- WAV file customizable audio feedback
- Instant-Waking behavior
- High-power, high-speed 2.4 GHz RF wireless technology
- Up to 200 feet RF range indoors
- Supports roaming for extended RF coverage
- Long-lasting LiPo rechargeable battery pack
- Versatile docking station allows tabletop or wall mount charging
- Programmable via SystemBuilder and Adagio Composer software
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Article Topics
News · Product News · Home Automation and Control · Universal Remotes · Crestron · Adms · Cedia 2010 · Hid · Trackpad · Ufo-4x ·About the Author
13 Comments
@Mactacular
Someone who wants a reliable remote that is easy to use and isn’t gigantic. Explain how a home owner can simply navigate and control their computer with an iPad?
@Julie,
Any idea on price or when it will be released?
@Jon,
Your right you can have all the same functionality in an iPod Touch for $200. Including full access of iTunes, Apple and anything else you may wish to control. Even a windows PC through VNC. An iPad takes it to a whole new level. Of course not from Crestron but there is another automation company that can do all of this with ease.
You have obviously never used an iPad to ask a question like that. I am VNCing into my office right now from my 3G connected iPad. Full control of the office windows PC.
The Crestron solution is packaged.
I love my iPhones and my iPad. But I would not use them to switch channels.
@Mactacular, I just updated the story—Q1 2011, about $2k retail.
@ Julie Jacobson
Thats about $1800 more then I’d be willing to pay for it. That has got to be one of the ugliest remotes I’ve ever seen…
Here’s to hoping they come out with some better stuff at CEDIA…
Maybe crestron can come out with a full line of iPad wall docks cause I’m sure nobody will have those there.
Julie, when you show product pricing from companies can you please make sure that it is reflecting the dealers cost? As an industry we have decided that selling products with no margin is the best thing because home owners won’t pay for anything now a days.
I think I’m going to get into pharmaceuticals cause you guys are all on drugs.
Jon, not quite sure what you’re talking about here. Are you suggesting we publish dealer pricing on a public Web site?
Anom, I agree the appeal of the round form factor will be limited. Crestron tells me the inspiration came from the yachting world. I could see it in my 80-footer. And since the UFO easily detaches from the magnetic wall station, I can take it with me when I dock.
U-G-L-Y you aint got no alibi you ugly… hey hey (UFO)... you ugly…
Ugliest remote since RTI’s T4.
@Jon : good point, too
omg i hope this is a spoof or some kind of joke, this is the ugliest thing from crestron that I’ve ever laid eyes on. Just when I thought Crestron’s I.D. was improving…
Design aesthetics aside I am amused by the ‘iPads replace every interface known to mankind…’ blanket statements.
Indeed the iPhone/iPad offers a great deal to the CI market, but I have never been one to rely on one solution, one form factor for every job. To me, Crestron offers a number of remotes and touch panels from which I can offer my clients a number of choices to fit their needs and taste. Do I really want to limit my client’s choices, offering one cookie cutter solution? Sometimes my clients want a Kizashi and sometimes they want Bentley.
Yes, who would want an iPad when you can have this? Haha… Hugh?