Remote Technologies Inc. (RTI) is set to introduce probably the hottest waterproof remote control there ever was. The new RTI U2 isn't like those other wimpy rubber remotes with all buttons and little programmability.

This one sports a sleek form factor and -- get this -- a bright LCD screen with all of the uber-programmability of RTI's other LCD remotes. You can even drag and drop icons into the program, and scroll through multiple screens. You aren't limited to simple on/off and volume controls, but you can trigger advanced commands such as SPA TIME, where the lights dim and your satellite radio turns on and tunes to the Barry White channel.



The product is much like RTI's popular M2 programmable remote released earlier this year, except the RTI U2 floats.

"I don't know of any other programmable remote on the market where…

Universal Remote Control is making its products more international-friendly, introducing 433 MHz versions of its MX-3000, MX-900 remote controls and MRF-350, RFX-250 and MSC-400 RF base stations.

Collectively, they are known as the i-series, labeled MX-3000i, MX-900i, etc. The original versions (MX-300, MX-900, etc.) will still be available at 418 MHz.

"This gives custom installers a great option if they are dealing with insurmountable RF interference," says director of marketing Jon Sienkiewicz. "The "i" stands for "international" because, as we all know, UK, Western Europe, parts of Eurasia and other areas proscribe 418 MHz transmitters."

In other URC news, the company has doubled the memory of its flagship MX-350 remote (now internally designated MX-350n) and "improved other internal features," Sienkiewicz says.

He also points out that all URC Complete Control remotes (MX-350 and up) use narrowband RF and are thereby compatible with the MSC-400, the newish MRF-350 and the forthcoming MRF-260.