The Cantata Haptique RS90 and RS90X are set to revive the universal remote concept. They have modern features and aim to fit well into smart homes.
Kickstarter Campaign and Funding Progress
Currently, the RS90 series is a Kickstarter project. It has gotten over $300,000 in pledges, nearing its goal. It is set to ship in August 2024.
Key Features
- Hub-Free Operation: Unlike traditional setups, the RS90 operates independently without requiring additional hubs or IR repeaters.
- Touchscreen Interface: Equipped with a 3.2-inch color touchscreen running on an Android-based OS, complemented by 24 essential physical buttons.
- Versatile Connectivity: Supports over 3,000 infrared devices such as TVs, projectors, Blu-ray players, and A/V receivers, alongside Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for smart home integration and compatibility with devices like PS5.
Smart Home Integration
- Supported Devices: Integrates with popular brands like Philips Hue and Sonos, third-party hubs like Samsung SmartThings, and web-based services including Spotify and Netflix.
- A/V Compatibility: Works with receivers from Yamaha and Denon, as well as streaming devices such as Amazon Fire TV Stick, Nvidia Shield TV, Apple TV, and Roku.
Pricing and Availability
Pledges for the RS90 start at €240 (about $258) on Kickstarter, with a retail price expected to begin at €360 (about $387) post-launch.
Future Prospects and Challenges
The RS90 series shows promise but lacks Matter support, a potential drawback. It aims to simplify complex A/V setups and unify control across devices.
Conclusion
It has a lot of features and big goals. The Cantata Haptique RS90 is a good option for users who want a unified solution for smart home and entertainment control. It could bring the universal remote idea back.