Savant Embeds iPod touch in Whole-House Remote, VoIP Phone

Savant's Touch Remote features an embedded iPod touch and can make VoIP phone calls.

Savant has been known for its wow factor, especially for its iPad app, virtual control interface, surface-touch Rosie Coffee Table, and slick interfaces.

One day before the CEDIA Expo showfloor opens and Savant is at it again, saying it will "revolutionize the concept of remote control."

Savant's new Touch Remote features an embedded iPod touch and can be used for VoIP phone calls thanks to Savant's iPBX technology.

Savant has, essentially, turned the iPod touch into a whole-home remote control that has both pushbuttons and a touch interface to control lighting, home theater, automation, media, security, network cameras, climate control - any device connected to Savant's control platform.

The embedded iPod touch has Apple's Retina Display, delivering 326 pixels per inch, and it has LED backlighting.

Features:

• 3.5-inch multi-touch display
• Dual mode communication, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi wireless and RF
• 18 backlit buttons with key transport keys
• Available in black or white
• Can receive wireless video from network cameras
• VoIP calling over Wi-Fi
• Tabletop docking station charger
• Supports video conferencing via FaceTime

"Because our new remote is based upon the iPod touch, it has allowed us to leverage our iPhone/iPod touch application, our own iPBX telephony solution as well as over 200,000 apps that are available all within an elegant, lightweight user interface," says Savant founder and CEO Bob Madonna. "Savant continues to be innovative and fast to market with technologies that broaden the capabilities of home control for consumers.

Make sure to swing by Savant's booth (1148) to see the Touch Remote in action. Savant says the Touch Remote will ship in the first quarter of 2011 for $399.