Voice-Activated Media Center Access Via the Amulet Remote
One of the reasons that I'm still without a fancy universal remote that ideally would allow me to do anything I want with my media from one handheld device is because for the hundreds of dollars that a top of the line unit is going to run me, I figure the remote should pretty much do all the work for me. Well, looking at the video below for the voice activated Amulet Remote, it may be that my many years in the wilderness could feasibly be coming to an end, well maybe. Like some other media remotes, the Irish made Amulet is designed to run off the Windows Media Center platform. Unlike almost other Media Center remotes though it offers a voice command option with a reported high level of accuracy due to the remote's accelerometer technology that registers commands only when it is tipped up towards the user. This accuracy assumes that there is less noise in the room at the time of this tilt, or at least more concentrated speech directly at the remote by the user. Either way, if the promotional video below is to be believed, it is the only remote on the market to register commands in this way. It of course also allows for push button input as well.
Although everything that has been released on the product mentions Windows Media Center, this is not noted as the exclusive platform, so it may work with other systems. Unfortunately, the Amulet site does not post full specs, but these are available on request. What are freely available are a few details like the unit's ability to skip commercials on recorded programming with a single voice command, touch screen functionality on the device's receiver for easy non-vocal navigation and the development of wrist-mounted and Star Trek like 'com badge' input devices. All and all this sounds promising. According to Engadget Amulet, Inc. is hoping to begin shipping units in March, and an October '08 article on IrishTimes.com states that the device will be available in a multi-room configuration, professionally set up and configured for $500-$600 and a single room version intended for self-installation, for $250-$300.
--Tom Milnes
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