Could you find out if it will handle RF signals ?

Also it would be useful to know if any new features will be available via Firmware and if these can be inherintly aplied to legacy or current Harmony remotes.

Thanks

Thanks, Mike, I really appreciate your help.

Here's the offical press release. Not much more information. Doesn't look like it's RF or they would have mentioned it:

LAS VEGAS — Jan. 05, 2004 — At the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show, Logitech (SWX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) will preview a new universal remote control optimized for people buying complicated new HDTVs and personal video recorders (PVRs). With a large color display, the new Logitech® Harmony® 880 advanced remote control offers enhanced navigation that simplifies the use of these new home-entertainment systems. Slated for availability in April, the new remote is the first to leverage Logitech's renowned design expertise to make the Harmony remote even more stylish and intuitive, so home-entertainment can be fun and relaxing. "People buying a high-definition TV today are likely to be frustrated by all the adjustments they have to make every time they simply want to switch from watching a TV program to watching a DVD," said Bryan McLeod, vice president of Logitech's remote control division. "These new home-entertainment devices are complicated, especially for the family. The Harmony 880 remote can take the headaches and confusion away."

Maintaining the same comfort-grip design as previous models of Harmony remotes, the new Harmony 880 features a vibrant, color LCD and finely sculpted buttons that make selecting an activity a breeze. Colorful icons now accompany text on the LCD screen to allow for quick and easy command of home entertainment equipment. The remote is also rechargeable, eliminating the need to change batteries. When the remote is not in use, it rests on an attractive charging platform. Those with an eye for design will also be drawn to the polished chrome directional pad and buttons, contrasted by the remote's glossy black and brushed grey finishes.

The Harmony remote solves a problem that is prevalent in the modern-day living room: too many complicated remote controls. It has the ability to control any component with an infrared receiver. After an intuitive, Internet-powered setup, any family member or guest can use the Harmony remote without guesswork or frustration. Selecting an activity - such as watching a DVD or watching TV - requires pressing just one button. Logitech's patented Smart State Technology allows the Harmony remote to easily control a home entertainment system by knowing how components are connected, the status of each device and any given time, and how to direct each component.

The color display has eight buttons, four located on the left and right sides, which together serve as a personalized activity control center. During setup, background images can be downloaded to fit personal preference. To optimize visual navigation, on-screen icons and text describe specific activities, such as watching TV or listening to music. The remote is fully backlit so it's easy to navigate in the dark. When their eyes are glued to the television, people can find useful buttons effortlessly, by touch. The primary navigation controls - such as play, pause, record and the number buttons - are easily identified by feel due to their varied size, shape and location.

Mike
www.SurfRemoteControl.com

fyi...If you click "view the demo" below the picture on Harmony's web page and then select Large size you can get a really good view of all the buttons on the 880 as the demo pans in on the remote (click the '<<' a few times to slow down the speed it runs)

looks very impressive...

The only thing I could nit-pick about is that the transport controls have moved further down the remote again. I love having them around the navigation dial in my 680.

Here's a blown up picture of the remote from the press release where you can see the button labeling.

Harmony 880

Mike
www.SurfRemoteControl.com

Looks like a sexy remote and the price is amazing given it's got a base station and colour screen. Same MSRP as the 688.

But I must say I'm not very thrilled with the smooth button finish which may not allow you to 'feel' where your thumb is on the remote when surfing in the dark or in daylight when you want to be more focused on the TV than the remote. Looks like they've gone back to the 688 button design, which not many people liked, and then made it slightly worse.

I hope that once we have some user reviews that I am proved wrong.

This message was edited by karmann on 01/06/05 02:21 ET.

I'm very excited by the look of this. I've owned every model of Harmony except the 676. I'm glad I didn't rush out to get the 676. I thought of it because I never really liked the layout of the 688. Too many wrong buttons pushed accidentally.

As far as I can tell the only hard buttons missing in the 880 are the Picture and Sound. I don't think I'll miss those too much. I used the picture to change the TV screen mode and never used the sound. Besides with the added screen menu button (actually readable and usable) these may not be so important.

One very important button that I've always wanted seems to have been added. Instead of just having a Next button to scroll through the screens, the 880 seems to have a Next and Last button for the screen. Now I don't have to scroll throught 6 screens to get back to the one I accidentally skipped over. Yeah!

I agree with almost everyone else that there are two (software) features that have been missing from the recent remotes.
1. The ability to generate Macros.
2. The ability to order the commands in the screen window in any order you want, not how Harmony thinks they should logically be ordered. Their logic is almost always bad.

Both of these features could easily be implimented in their software without having to resort to XML programming. While Harmony/Logitech has introduced some nice new models over the past year or so, I've been disappointed at how little imporovement they've made to programibility features in their software. Hopefully this will change. Any info you could get from them on this area would be interesting.

Finally, given the features and price point of the 880 I don't see how they can keep the 688 and 676 in the lineup without major price reductions.

Thanks Harmony. I'm running out of relatives to give my old remotes to ;-)

Alan

looks cool

PS does anyone else think it looks like a cordless phone?

You mean it's not a cordless phone remote control?

They're not showing it until Friday morning, so I'll have to get back to you all tomorrow.

Since it already has a docking station, how about a 802.11 or bluetooth connectivity to get the latest TV listings. Now that would be convenient! This is the feature I'd most like to see.

For $249 ?

Mike, we are all eagerly waiting for your input!

Mr Mitchell, you didn't go to CES this year?

Martin :-)

Well, just checked out the 880. It's only a prototype, so a lot of the buttons don't work or aren't in their final configuration.

First the bad news, no XML editing or RF capability. No separate macro capability.

Good news, keeping in mind that most of this is planned and wasn't demonstrated:

1. Color LCD screen looks nice and you can input your own graphics
2. Expanded activity control and special allowance for screen aspect ratios and surround settings
3. Favorite channel screens with color icons
4. Individual commands on the LCD screen are fully editable for text and graphics.
5. Proposed 2 week battery life on full charge, rechaging takes about 3 hours
6. Overall feel is good, same size as other "6" series rmeotes, transport buttons not too low IMO.

Daniel will have more to follow I'm sure.

Mike
www.SurfRemoteControl.com