Universal Remote Unleashed: Smart Home Control Without the Hub

In an era of smart homes and multi-device ecosystems, control over all your gadgets can become chaotic. Managing smart TVs, projectors, streaming boxes, lights, and security systems can be tricky. You often need several remotes and apps to control them all. Meet the Cantata Haptique RS90 series. This is a fresh approach to the universal remote. It aims to simplify how you manage your smart home and entertainment system. Launched on Kickstarter, the RS90 series makes device management easier. It works without a hub, has a touchscreen, and connects to many devices.

The Resurrection of the Universal Remote

Universal remotes have appeared in many forms over the years. However, they often missed the mark. Many relied on hubs, had complicated setups, or couldn’t connect to today’s devices. The Cantata Haptique RS90 series aims to revive the universal remote idea. It offers a complete solution that fits well into today’s complex smart home setups.

The Kickstarter Campaign and Funding Progress

The RS90 series was launched as a Kickstarter campaign with an initial goal of raising $50,000 to fund production. In a short time, it surpassed this goal and now stands at over $300,000 in pledges. This shows great community support for a versatile universal remote. The campaign, which began in late 2023, is set to deliver the first units to backers by August 2024.

As of now, the RS90 series has received thousands of pledges, and interest is only growing. The campaign succeeded because it promises to get rid of multiple remotes and hubs. It also offers a customizable experience. The product can control both old A/V devices and new smart home gadgets with one remote. This feature has made it popular with tech fans and supporters who want to simplify their home setups.

Key Features of the Cantata Haptique RS90 Series

Hub-Free Operation: A Game Changer for Smart Homes

One of the standout features of the RS90 series is its hub-free operation, which sets it apart from other universal remotes on the market. Traditional universal remotes usually need extra hubs or IR repeaters. This can complicate your setup and create more points of failure. The RS90 series makes things easy. It can control over 3,000 infrared devices. This includes TVs, Blu-ray players, projectors, and A/V receivers. Best of all, it doesn’t need a central hub.

Users can connect and control devices easily. They won’t need extra hardware cluttering their home. This plug-and-play method lets you start quickly with little setup. This is great for people who are fed up with complicated device integrations.

Touchscreen Interface for Intuitive Control

The RS90 comes equipped with a 3.2-inch color touchscreen, which is Android-based, providing a sleek, modern interface. The touchscreen is complemented by 24 essential physical buttons, making it easy to control devices with a tactile feel. The touchscreen lets users customize their home screen with shortcuts. This makes it quick and easy to navigate your most-used devices and apps. The intuitive touchscreen makes it easy to control your home theater and adjust the lighting in your smart home.

Versatile Connectivity for a Wide Range of Devices

The RS90 series supports a vast array of devices, making it one of the most versatile universal remotes on the market. Key connectivity features include:

• Infrared Control: The RS90 can control more than 3,000 infrared devices. This means it works with traditional A/V equipment like TVs, projectors, Blu-ray players, and sound systems.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Support: The addition of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allows for seamless smart home integration. You can control popular smart home devices, like Philips Hue lights and Sonos sound systems. You can also manage streaming services, such as Spotify and Netflix, right from the remote. This ensures that it works across the entire home ecosystem, from entertainment to home automation.
• Gaming Device Compatibility: The RS90 works with consoles like the PS5. You can control your entertainment and gaming all from one device.

Smart Home Integration: A Comprehensive Solution

The integration with popular smart home and entertainment systems is one of the biggest selling points of the RS90 series. Here’s a deeper look at what it can control and how it works with your other devices:

Smart Home Devices

The RS90 integrates with smart devices from the leading brands, allowing for comprehensive control of your smart home:

• Philips Hue: Control your smart lights with the RS90. Adjust color and brightness easily. You can also sync lights with movies or music.
• Sonos: Manage your Sonos sound systems. Make sure the audio in your home sounds just how you like it.
• Samsung SmartThings: The RS90 connects to SmartThings hubs. This lets you control smart locks, thermostats, security cameras, and more from one place.
• Spotify and Netflix: The RS90 lets you control Spotify for music and stream Netflix directly. This means you don’t have to switch between devices or apps.

A/V Equipment Compatibility

In addition to smart home devices, the RS90 supports a wide range of A/V receivers and streaming boxes. Yamaha, Denon, Nvidia Shield TV, and Apple TV models are fully supported. You can change channels, adjust settings, and switch media sources all with one remote.

Pricing and Availability

Pledges for the RS90 series begin at €240 (about $258) on Kickstarter. This price makes it a great option for anyone wanting to streamline their remotes. After the product launches, the retail price should begin at €360 (about $387). This price shows the device’s advanced technology and features.

If you want to save money and get your units early, pledge on Kickstarter. Shipping should start in August 2024. Additionally, backers will receive updates on the development process, giving them an insider’s view of the project.

Future Prospects and Challenges

While the RS90 series is certainly a step forward in the evolution of universal remotes, it does have a few potential challenges:

• Lack of Matter Support: One of the key drawbacks of the RS90 is its lack of Matter support. Matter is an open-source standard for smart home devices. It helps different brands work together easily. While the RS90 integrates well with a wide range of devices, it may face limitations if Matter becomes more widely adopted in the future. However, the manufacturer could potentially add Matter support through software updates.
• Adoption of New Standards: Like any tech product, the RS90 might struggle with compatibility. This is especially true as new devices and smart home standards keep changing.

The RS90 series faces challenges, but it shows great potential. It acts as a hub-free universal remote, simplifying smart home and entertainment control in one sleek device.

Conclusion: The Future of Smart Home Control

The Cantata Haptique RS90 series might be the future of universal remotes. It offers a simple way to control both traditional A/V gear and modern smart home devices. Its hub-free design, touchscreen controls, and wide device compatibility make it a game-changer. This is perfect for anyone wanting to simplify their home automation and entertainment setups. The RS90 faces some challenges, mainly with Matter support. Still, it’s set to revive the universal remote idea. It’s a smart choice for anyone wanting to simplify their smart home.

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