Since Logitech abandoned the universal remote control market with the disappearance of their Harmony, no manufacturer has yet emerged that has managed to take the throne of the perfect universal remote. Part of the blame lies with digital assistants, which allow you to control devices with just a voice command. However, the need to have a remote in your hand still exists, and there is no clear solution to solve it. Until now?
Cantata Haptique RS90
Initially presented as a Kickstarter project, the idea has managed to raise more than $670.000, greatly exceeding the $9.000 goal. There are two different models, the Haptique RS90 y Haptique RS90X, and they are presented as universal remote controls compatible with all types of protocols so that you can take control of any device you have at home.
With a design that is very reminiscent of another old acquaintance of universal remotes, Neeo (which ended up being abandoned and sold as an independent project), the peculiarity of the Haptique RS90 is that it has a tilt that recalls the shapes of a semi-open Motorola RAZR. Its screen is 3 inches and on it you can see the covers of the music that is playing, the covers of the content you are watching on Netflix, or directly access the different rooms to take control of all the devices that exist there.
In total, they have 24 physical buttons with which to control a large number of functions beyond volume and channel change. The interesting thing is that the RS90X model has an infrared reader to be able to clone signals from all types of controls, as well as Bluetooth 5.0, Android 12 and 2 GB of RAM, being the most complete model in the family.
Community-based and open API
But beyond the physical appeal of the controller and how well its menus work, the truly important thing about the product will be its open API so that developers can create new ways of controlling other unknown devices, thus opening up an infinite range of possibilities.
All device configuration is done from the official Android and iOS app, which can also act as a remote control in case the Haptique runs out of battery.
A high price for a special remote control
But in the same way that happened previously with this type of remote controls with screen, its sale price will not be especially low, since it will have a Official 600 Euro price tag for the RS90 modelThe good news is that if you support the project on Kickstarter, you still have time to get one for 240 euros, which is a huge saving.
Furthermore, the RS90X will cost around 750 euros, and it can currently be purchased on Kickstarter for 300 euros, clearly being the best of the proposals.
Source: Cantata