I today received an email response from John Davis. I'm guessing it was one that was sent to everyone who sent in a copy of John Corkery's original letter or their own suggestions. Anyone else receive one? Anyhow, the text follows:

May 14, 2002

Dear Mr. Fremgen:

On behalf of Universal Remote Control, I want to thank you for your recent e-mail regarding suggested improvements to the MX-1000® Remote Control.

We appreciate your feedback and input on enhancing the product. As you may already know, we introduced the MX-1000® about 3 years ago to address the need for a touch screen product that made effective use of selected hard buttons. Our focus then and now is to combine simplicity of operation with ease of use.

However, we found like so many other software-driven products there are areas to improve upon in the MX-1000 to meet the requirements of advanced users such as yourself who are proficient in programming software and system configuration.

We are currently working on the next generation of software that incorporates many the features requested by current MX-1000 users, which will be released later this year. We firmly believe this is the better approach than to release source code.

Please be assured that we have documented the areas of improvement based upon your suggestions and those of other users and it is our plan to incorporate as many of them as possible.

Thank you for your purchase of the MX-1000® and we will release any new product information on our website, www.hometheatermaster.com and in the regular consumer electronics media. If you are attending the 2002 CEDIA Expo in September 25-29, 2002 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, please visit us at our booth.

Sincerely,

John S. Davis
Universal Remote Control
500 Mamaroneck Avenue
Harrison, New York 10528
Website: www.universalremote.com
Phone: 914 835-4484 ext. 307
Mobile: 516 456-3500
E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

Yup, I was just going to post his e-mail to me, but you beat me to it! Good news!!

Much appreciated, John!

Randy
www.BlueDo.com

At least he didn't say "In a few weeks" :-)

I got the same form letter response myself

One of the best emails I have recieved in a while (only one from Daniel saying congradulations you have won... would top it! hint,hint), and it also shows that they are sticking to their original timeframe (ie after the MX-700 software was completed).

I would just like to say a "Thank you" to Mr Davis for updating us on his company's intention with the MX-1000. A reponse like that goes a long way to restoring hope in a product.

John: it seems all that Physio and rehabilitation for those crossed fingers of your was actually worth it!

Harvey

Thanks, John!

Yes. Thank you, John Davis, for taking the time to respond. I was beginning to lose hope there...

Harvey: I think my fingers are almost back to normal now...

As you might expect, URC is working on the next generation of the MX-1000 (MX-1500?) that will overcome the hardware limitations of the MX-1000. They could easily abandon the MX-1000 and force everyone who bought one to buy the new model when it comes out (and you know you would!).

It's nice to see that they are planning to take care of their MX-1000 customers in a manner that is consistent with the good customer service reputation they've earned with the MX-500.

Thanks, John.

If they did that, I know I wouldn't!

Didn't mean you, John. :-)

... but you know lot of people would (especially if it had a color touchscreen - wish, wish).

in my experience, people don't react well to force. I think they could probably gain more customers by showing good faith and fixing the 1000 and give users a good reason to upgrade to the 1500 instead of telling them to bad, you 1000 users were our betas now that we know what not to do, here is a toy that should work (oh yea BTW this is our new flagship remote and we will support you) :-)

I agree, Anthony. Bad choice of words on my part. I guess what I was trying to say is that people have short memories when it comes to the latest, shiny new toy, and I commend URC for recognizing that the early adopters are the customers that should not be forgotten.

Yes, the MX-1000 with a color touchscreen and faster processor would be the ultimate remote! That is, as long as they got the software right...!

So, Mike, you know for certain that URC is working on a new, improved version of the MX-1000?


This message was edited by John Corkery on 05/15/02 14:46.27.

Nothing definite, John. They mentioned at CES that they had new products in the works and that they wanted to address the hardware limitations of the MX-1000. I was just speculating from John's letter that they were working on that. It seems logical that the lists of requests from MX-1000 users would make a great basis for the next generation to address the requests that can't be fulfilled with the 1000.

I auditioned several touchscreen remotes before I found that touchscreens are not for me, I want tactle feedback, even if it's just the shape of the key, I want to know where it is without turning on the lights (wherever they may come from internal to the remote or external). As for color, just another techno-junkie toy. Maybe when the come out with a vibrating display I might try that (if I can keep it out of my pants ;)).