Logitech's Harmony line of remote controls (I have both the 880 and 550) are the first and only universal remote controls I have ever used that are functional and elegant. By functional, I mean that the remotes actually do control every single feature of every single IR-controlled device that I own, and by elegant I mean that they are simple to set up, easy to use, and have a form factor befitting a remote. If you're looking for a universal remote, look no further. Simply choose which of the Harmony remotes suits you best and never look back.
Setting up a Harmony remote control requires a simple web-based application. Unfortunately, however, Logitech has yet to deliver a Windows Vista version of that software. For the past few weeks, I've been checking their download page and as of this morning, it still promised delivery of the software "sometime in April 2007." Well, they only have a few hours left before May rolls around, and there's still no sign of the long overdue software. Hopefully, Logitech won't become another Nvidia, which has given the shaft to their customers who use Windows Vista.
Update: Microsoft says Logitech Harmony's software has earned the "Works with Windows Vista" logo. Despite this, Logitech says that it doesn't have software that works with Windows Vista. Hmmm. Maybe I'll try downloading the XP version of their software and see what happens...
© Jed Lewison