This Universal Remote Wants to Control Your Smart Home Sans Hub

Universal remotes might be making a comeback with innovative devices like Cantata’s Haptique RS90 and RS90X. These connected remotes are touted as comprehensive smart home controllers, aiming to revolutionize how we manage our increasingly complex home ecosystems. Currently, the Haptique remotes are Kickstarter hopefuls, having garnered over $300,000 in pledges with less than $10,000 needed to fully fund the project as of now. The estimated ship date for these devices is August 2024.

A Hub-Free Experience

What sets the Haptique RS90 and RS90X apart from the competition is their hub-free operation. Unlike many universal remotes, you won’t need a separate box plugged into the TV or IR repeaters to make them work. The remotes come with a charging dock and feature a 3.2-inch color touchscreen running on an Android-based OS. This display is complemented by 24 essential physical buttons, including one for voice control. In addition to controlling more than 3,000 traditional infrared devices like TVs, projectors, Blu-ray players, and A/V receivers, the RS90 series also boasts Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities to interface with newer smart home devices and platforms, and even the PS5 in the future.

Photo: Cantata

Broad Compatibility and Integration

Cantata promises early support for a wide range of smart home integrations. This includes devices from popular brands such as Philips Hue and Sonos, as well as third-party and open-source hubs and platforms like Samsung SmartThings, Homey, and Home Assistant. The remote will also support direct control for web-based services like Spotify and Netflix, and receivers from brands like Yamaha and Denon. Popular streaming devices such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick, Nvidia Shield TV, Apple TV, and Roku are also on the compatibility list.

Filling the Void Left by Logitech

Cantata aims to fill the sizable void in the universal remote market left by Logitech, which abandoned the category, creating a niche for remote repair businesses. In 2021, Logitech's then-CEO Bracken Darrell explained to The Verge’s Nilay Patel that the company shifted focus because app selection had become the domain of existing market players. While some users have adapted by using a single remote like LG’s magic remote to control multiple devices via HDMI-CEC, this solution doesn’t address more complex A/V setups or homes with numerous smart devices.

Competing in a Challenging Market

The Haptique RS90 is not the first attempt to disrupt the underserved universal remote market. Competitors like Sofabaton offer connected remotes that extend beyond infrared capabilities, but they lack the ubiquity that the RS90 aims to achieve. Other attempts, such as Caavo’s early products, have been criticized for being expensive, complicated, and often requiring a hub.

Potential and Limitations

The Haptique RS90 aims to solve these issues by providing a streamlined, all-in-one solution. However, it does have some limitations; for instance, it currently lacks Matter support, a new standard for smart home devices. Despite this, the promise of a hub-free, comprehensive smart home remote is an exciting development.

You can currently pledge €240 (about $258) for the Haptique RS90 on Kickstarter, with the retail price expected to start at €360 (about $387) once early bird preorders are gone. Whether it will live up to the hype remains to be seen, but the enthusiasm surrounding this Kickstarter project is a promising sign that universal remotes might soon make a significant comeback.

Stay tuned to Kushal Bharat Tech News for more updates on this innovative product and other cutting-edge tech developments.