Well, just saw it and got some pictures. Daniel will probably have something soon, but basically it's quite a bit different from a 659. Same size and form, but has a 5-way thumbpad in the middle, surrounded by a circle of transport and other buttons. A couple more hard-labeled activities on top. MSRP is $249, which puts it right in the middle of the 659 ($199) and 768 ($299). More to follow. Shipping on March 1.

Mike
www.SurfRemote.com

So now we're all dying to see the pictures. Additionally I'd like to know whether they are going to support XML customizations like the 768 allows.

The functionality will be the same as the 659 (ie: no XML customization). The remotes here are just prototypes and some of the buttons etc. may be changed before the final production run.

But no LCD then? Or macro support on buttons?

Thx!

I haven't had much time, but take a look at [Link: remotecentral.com]

Hard to tell, but it looks like it might be difficult to use by feel.

My thought exactly. My initial reaction is that it has an attractive (although radically different) look, but the fact that the buttons are all joined together would make it more difficult to use. It seems like it would be too easy to have your thumb on two buttons at once, and it would be very difficult to locate a button by touch. Maybe I am not in the majority but to me that is a critical feature in my neverending quest for the "ultimate remote".

On first glance I didn't like it at all because I was expecting two circular areas (I like the transport controls like play/pause/etc. organized in a circle with pause in the middle, the way Dish Network does it on their remotes). The 688 has them in a single curved line. But then I noticed the skip forwards/back buttons are above the curved area, so when they are all considered the transport buttons will form a circle (sort of, more or less).

As I look at it more the design is growing in me. I definitely like what they have done with the directional pad. But I still think it is a mistake to have all the buttons formed together rather than spaced apart. Maybe someone who has had a chance to hold a prototype would have a better feel for whether this is the case.

I played with the 688 today, and I have to say that I really love it! In addition to the Tivo-friendly layout I think the rubberized buttons are a great improvement, as they are not mushy like the 659's and have a noticeable "click" when pressed down. I do agree that finding buttons by feel may be difficult since they are all formed together, but I was told that the production version will have buttons that are more raised, so maybe this will help out. They are selling the 688 for $140 at the show, and I was able to get an additional discount since I just purchased a 659 less than 2 weeks ago!

BTW, they are planning to fix the problem with the backlight only staying on for 10 secs. after the first button is pushed. This was not done by design; rather is was a bug in their software.

Not being there to actually touch and feel it makes it hard to say for sure, but my first impression is that I do not like it.
All the buttons seem to run together, I would think that this would make it very difficult to control by touch. I like that they moved the transport buttons up to the middle but being all run togther may mean accidentally pushing two buttons at once. The buttons on the side of the screen look even less defined in the picture, almost as if they were just one big button on each side. It appears that they took away most of the colored buttons as well. I think they have tried to make it to sleek looking and have taken away some of the tactical feel you expect in a hard button remote.

Blee, did you notice if they were selling a lot of them? Not sure I would by a "beta" version of a remote. Especially if there is a chance of significant changes possible in the production model. It sounds like they are going to be making some changes to the buttons at the very least. Does it come with their standard warranty? Just curious?

Clayton

Well, I must say I am disappointed in the design.

I really liked the look of the 659, and was considering buying one to replace my MX-500. I decided to wait when I heard Harmony was going to have a new remote that would address the issue with the lack of transport keys. I expected something similar to the 659 with those additional keys, and maybe a few more bells and whistles.

The 688 looks fancy, but does not seem practical. The button style and placement looks to be very confusing. I also do not like the way the buttons run together. In particular, buttons such as "Sound" and "Picture" or "Guide" and "Info" look very small and like they would be difficult to press.

If Harmony was looking for something completely different, I think they accomplished that. I was hoping on the other hand they were going to enhance their "family remote" and address the need for transport (DVR) keys.

Have you noticed the location of Vol + and Vol -? They are at the top instead of the left side. Seems strange to me.

Martin :-)

I agree....this design sucks. Even if the final production of the remote raises the buttons some, they still run together. And location of the volume buttons? Come on! They must have had their head in the sand when they designed this one. Makes me VERY glad I got the 659. I disagree with many posters who say the 659 buttons don't have a good feel. I think they're fine. I'm sticking with my 659.

Michael F,

I agree with you. I was just about to order a 659, after just purchasing a new home theater setup, when I saw news on here about the 688. I waited to see the information and pics, thankful that I had not orderd mine yet. For the first time that I can remember I actually DO NOT want the latest, newest, more costly electronic gadget out.

I think Harmony has taken a step back, the remote looks sleek and high tech, but I can't imagine that it is has as good a tactical feel as the 659.

I will probably be ordering the 659 and using the transport buttons at the bottom or program a couple of the ATM buttons, to accomplish the same thing.

Clayton

here is an other pic posted by IlyaV

Mike, from this pic it looks like the + and - are raised bumps, not just prints on the buttons. Is that right?


Blee or anyone else at CES does this mean those bumps will be higher and the grooves deeper?