Sony/Logitech releasing the Google TV “set-top-box” devices could be the beginning of a new trend that might change how the Home Theater control works. The difference between HT control and "Whole House" control is that typically the HT activities assume a TV, except when listening to the music.

Which means that as long as there is some way of doing simple remote navigation using any kind of wireless link (like when using the Bluetooth remote control profile), with the TV screen providing visual feedback and flexible context-sensitive onscreen interface, there is no real need to have any sophisticated handheld remote control device without sacrificing the power and the flexibility.

With Google TV displaying menus, navigation cues, transport control panels, etc. driven by Android control application combined with the IP control and optional IR/RS232 extenders, etc. this could become something like Control4 for masses but on the whole different usability level.