Could This Remote FINALLY Replace Logitech Harmony?

[@EverythingSmartHome]

What do you think of the X1 for the price?!

[@MrAlucardDante]

IMO, this is not a good deal. You can buy a Broadlink RM Pro/Mini for a third of the price, the broadlink app works flawlessly, and it can be integrated into HA. I don’t see a point in buying yet another remote when we all have a smartphone in our pockets. 😉

[@grantos8276]

I’m a backer, and after seeing the reviews I’m out. The amount of bugs. And the function of layout of buttons eg back button in awkward spot. Plus the fact sofabaton are non responsive

[@LordOrwell]

I disagree with your opinion of the power button. I have a harmony ultimate and i've accidently turned off my television more than once because the power button is too close to the back button.

[@chilly6883]

Never at that price

[@JustaPilot1]

No keypad for channel surfing. That kills it right there for me.

[@TheKhirocks]

No IR blaster in the remote means its a hard pass from me. I use the IR blaster on my harmony remote to control my TV while the harmony hub is located under the stairs where all my devices such as sky box, amp, dvd player is located. Being able to configure which device uses which blaster is an excellent pro of the harmony

[@HardcoreNacho]

I was thinking the same

[@kaiabrew]

My system is also in a closet. Need IR to HUB

[@jthj]

This is my problem as well.

[@matthewkrauski4854]

Logitech solution for this is IR repeater plugged into hub. I noticed similar plugs on on back of this hub. Maybe there is repeater support present or planned.

[@martinlortie]

Same here, but I was thinking if they allow to pair 2 or more hubs to one remote that would fix the problem, then you could assign specific device to different hub. Place one in your living room (or wherever) and place the other in your closet/rack/basement, etc.

[@wm437]

The price, at least for me, is not a deal breaker but what is very convenient is a physical on/off button. I get it that it has four untagged buttons you could use for the remap. But those four color buttons already have functions on many remotes I own. My receiver and Smart TV all use those four colored buttons for specific functions or services.

[@chrisw1462]

No number pad is a deal breaker. No RF is disappointing, but not surprising at this price point.

[@LiquidZero_]

I have their IQ remote and i love it. I bought it specifically for the learning capability. Moar specifically, my Logitech Z906 surround setup. It works with my TV, VCR (yeah...i have one of those relics), my LED light strips... You name it. This Kickstarter seems like a glorified version of the same thing, and honestly, i can't seem to find the justification to the $100 price tag on this so very similar "upgrade" with a secondary hub. Especially since there's no internal IR emitter within the remote itself. Either way... Good concept, but I'll stick with their precious IQ version until it dies. Great review!

[@johnvore]

I have all Logitech companion remotes, even bought two extra when I heard they were not making anymore more. With this battery you don't have to change the battery for one year. I will be using these remotes for probably five more years with no problem.

[@donnycasey6613]

If it had the ability to import activities into Smartthings and Google Assistant it would be an easy sell. These are the features that sold me on the Harmony Hub. I also agree about the back button. I use constantly when using Roku. Speaking of Roku, with activities can you have it open a specific channel in Roku such as Netflix like you can with Harmony?

[@calebjpryor]

I love that you displayed the new remote using a logitech stand. :D

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Haha was wondering if anyone would get that little un-intentional Easter egg!

[@Asrock73]

The remote seems to fall short on replacing the harmony. It seems so much bigger than my harmony remote yet appears to be less user friendly. How well does it bounce the ir signal? The harmony can face the complete wrong direction and still turn on devices.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

According to the specs I found on Logitech website for the Harmony Elite, the X1 is actually smaller than the Harmony in every dimension. It does bounce signal well, if you watch the video at the 3:00 minute mark, you can see that there is IR LEDS in every direction.

[@Asrock73]

@@EverythingSmartHome I have a harmony companion which the remote is a tiny bit smaller than the elite. I love the harmony remotes, and Logitech set the bar very high. Hate that Logitech made a great product and then dumped it.

[@gtman4588]

Does the remote provide a channel number pad screen that enables going to different channels directly based on their number when using say a DISH or Direct TV receiver ?

[@johnholllander]

Who remembers the Philips Pronto ? Well ahead of its time.

[@WebPassionist]

I do. And still missing it.

[@philh3041]

Programmed a few of them in my time 👍🏻

[@johnb4905]

Let me know when there is replacement for one the lower model harmony remotes. A charging port and hub is just clutter to me.

[@iDreamOfOkra]

As a graphic designer, I totally agree with you about the horrible choice of fonts. That looks hideous! I still have an old Logitech Harmony Companion remote + hub and that thing has taken a beating over the years and still kicking. The buttons are pretty much totally faded, but it still works! The Sofabaton looks like a good contender. I hope the production version delivers. I'm willing to overlook the hideous font choice!

[@JaneTaubman]

Are the activities just macros rather than being real activities like the harmony where different buttons can control different devices at the same time. For example when watching Freeview on my PVR the sound buttons control the TV/Soundbar sound and not the sound output on the PVR. Hopefully they will add some integration apis as it would be good to be able set lighting scenes from the remotes activity as I do now with the Harmony.

[@JaneTaubman]

Just to add it's a bit short on buttons. No separate guide info button, I suppose it would not matter for people using Netflix rather than freeview.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Yes activities sound the same as activities on the Harmony, it asks which device you want to use to control as the sound devices and which device you want to use as the other buttons - I think that's what your asking

[@robertromero8692]

Been using a Pronto remote for over 20 years.

[@chrishoffman8600]

I actually really like the sound of most of this. But, I *think" I would have a problem with this kind of remote. In addition to my HTPC gear, I also control a fan and heater with my current remote. And it is the type that you have to point the remote just right for it to work. Since the fan and heater are in a totally different place than the TV, I am worried that the IR unit setup wouldn't work.

[@Ni5ei]

So when you're in that totally different place than your TV and want to turn on or off the fan and/or heater you have to walk to the other side of the house to get the remote? That doesn't sound very convenient to me 😂

[@DoubleMonoLR]

@@Ni5ei Or they could've simply made the remote capable of sending IR signals directly for chosen devices, (with the hub used otherwise), it's a bit ridiculous that hub only signalling has become common. The amount of power used by sending IR signals is trivial, as is the cost of the components - especially in remotes this expensive. As it is, if people are using the remote away from the hub(the main point of having IR sent from the hub), then the remote is inherently going to be taken to other rooms anyway... Switching between a bedroom and lounge also seems a pretty reasonable use, having to install another hub for potentially only one, or very few, extra device(s) would be pretty excessive. This is going to be *more* common for people that use higher end remotes, as they could have a centralized amp etc feeding amplified audio, video etc to multiple rooms. A device could also be near the hub but have the signal blocked by an object in the way - the signal might still reach by bouncing off the walls, but I imagine there are cases where it won't. The hub naturally isn't going to be in the middle of the room. Never mind devices on the other side of a dividing wall in an open plan design. They also weren't suggesting they were on 'the other side of the house' - 'different place' doesn't inherently mean different part of the house. They said those devices are touchy with the angle of the signal, which can't realistically be changed with the hub. Universal remotes are also very handy for devices where the original remote has been lost, especially if the remote isn't needed very often. Having multiple universal remotes &/or hubs kind of defeats the purpose.

[@dustinvangorkum3948]

Can it do philips hue lighting like harmony home control. I need to find a replacement like harmony for my clients

[@meganoikz]

Anything without physical numerical keys is no good to me. I use these for quickly selecting items in large lists (via pressing 2 twice for "B" for example). Harmony 650 range is my favourite, even the Harmony Elite with a screen is annoying.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Fair enough!

[@joshnlevinson]

Can this be used to run scenes / automation / etc. in Home Assistant?

[@davewhitegt]

Does the remote itself have IR in the front of it also? I need certain controls to be IR from the remote and other to go RF into another room where other components are. On the Harmony I can select which devices are controlled from the IR from the remote and which devices are controlled from the IR from the repeater.

[@virutalnewscenter]

With Logitech I like the Alexa & Google Home Mini integration so I can control me TV w/ my voice. Didn't see that here.

[@thoalex1]

I had really high hopes of the Sofabaton. I have one (not the X1) and the response on it is too slow. Pressing a button you wait for it to wake up. Pressing a button and sometimes it just doesn't do anything.

[@fredoswego]

I have the sofabaton u1. One of my devices wasn't in their database, so I sent their support an email and within 48hrs they had added my device. It was also the only remote I could find that would replicate my Emotive pre-amp. All in all very satisfied and for what the remote cost even more so.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

That's pretty cool!

[@DoubleMonoLR]

I wish remote companies would just allow users to upload IR codes that they learned from their existing remote, so anyone else could use them (not to mention the user themselves being able to get them again when accidentally removed, or with a new/secondary remote). They could easily divide codes into official & community codes, so they didn't have to provide support for community codes. If some codes were popular, they could also easily test them & move them to official codes. It's such an obvious feature, but companies seem to want to be as secretive as possible with device codes, so people will buy their devices for their black hole of codes. Ironically it would probably have the reverse effect - community provided codes could rapidly provide any company with a vast array of codes, and make their products much more appealing.

[@seismojones]

Lack of physical number buttons is a problem for me. I'm a DirecTV user and with hundreds of channels, the ability to effortlessly enter 206 to go to ESPN is very important.

[@kubev]

I've been looking for something to replace my 1st-gen Fire TV Cube, as it's often unresponsive because of how bloated its more recent updates have been. I also hate how chatty Alexa is, and other digital assistants tend to be far more obnoxious in that respect. I may check out the Sofabaton U1 that's already available, though I think any of these things will just be overkill. I just want a remote to switch inputs and adjust volume with, ideally inexpensive enough that I could buy a few of them to mount in various areas of my house. I hate using a smartphone for something so simple, especially since unlocking my phone and locating an app isn't as convenient as just pressing a button on a nearby remote.

[@chrisneighbors1548]

Power off button is a good placement. you have to be deliberate to turn off. less chance of an accidental turn off

[@tfdsu]

Browsed some comments, didn't find am answer: does it lags like Logotech Harmony does? With latter there is a clear

[@confirmhandle]

Reading through the comments of URC installers and programmers they have no clue how easy to Harmony remotes were the pro model was absolutely amazing.

[@Fee.1]

Does it have an air mouse feature

[@hichamel926]

Thanks for the review Lewis

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Thanks for watching buddy!

[@TheSound0fLegends]

Can you control a windows pc with this?

[@gm2543]

Hi cant see the voice conttrol on it at all ?? So how do you use for nvidia shiled tv voice on it ?? Cant see or is it in the screen bit ?? And it looks same buttons as fire tv sticks lolol i will not get one till a voice is standard as most are now ussless company not doing that main thing 😔

[@junkimchi]

Can this device do sequences of commands like turning on various devices and changing inputs all from one command?

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Yes, that's what "activities" are for

[@Binary_Deviant]

Where can I buy the Sofabaton X1? I can only find the U1 Model.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

It was on Kickstarter, it might be available to buy on Amazon after the campaign has finished shipping

[@ElitWolf01]

Thanks for the review.. I work with a lot of elderly who Insist on having a universal remote to control 9 devices.. when us modern ppl just use apps & the tv controller so it's nice having this information on hand when the subject comes up.. Great Job covering it.. I did my own research & your gripes & points were very well portrayed.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Thanks, appreciate it and glad it was useful!

[@Nitrousbird]

Your "use the TV remote" works great if you are running a Smart TV with a sound bar at most. If you are running a proper receiver and need control of functions, it is useless. Add in some additional streaming devices, game system, etc. and a universal is absolutely needed.

[@AlexMoenR]

I'm happy another company is at least trying in this space. The dead and cloud-based Harmony platform doesn't seem like something I can count on going forward.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Competition is never bad!

[@EdwinPWeston]

No API, No thank you... I still use my RedEye Remote http commands. Big problem with these remotes are when you add apps to your tv, like Showtime, without writing macros, you cannot simply add it to the remote, just Netflix and Prime usually. Does it support voice commands, maybe I missed that?

[@brianvaughn3312]

No numeric keypad is seriously problematic. Fine for a Firestick remote or Apple remote, but if you truly want to replace all for one, you need number keys.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Depends who you are I guess, I personally haven't used a number keypad on a remote in probably...5 years?

[@onlyzach1]

Looks like this has potential. Hope they listen to you about improvements to be made, cause sure sounds like there's some to be done. Too late to move the back/power buttons around? Wonder if this can be used with CEC, which Harmony can't.

[@metric152]

This looks decent but it's hard to replace the harmony remotes. They were really nice.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

They have a big following!

[@MacGuru]

Sticking with the Logitech Harmony remotes which is still be sold and supported.

[@jayhome4037]

One big question in regards to activity's, which is the main point of the harmony remote. You say it has activities , but do they work the same way as the harmony remote. as in does it know and remember which devices are on and off. So if you switch from one activity to the next it want turn things off that are needed in the new activity

[@EverythingSmartHome]

The remote stores the state of the devices yes, and if for some reason they get out of sync (for example if you use another remote) then you can fix the states on the remote itself

[@TheWkd111]

Nice review of what looks to be a capable successor. We currently use a Harmony One and I can't tell you how old it is but I fear the day it does go. The activities are the key thing to replace the Harmony, and something that I would be interested in is does the remote split itself when you say 'watch TV'. By that I mean do the arrows control the device you are navigating while the volume controls the surround receiver. This is a great feature for people you are technically challenged or just don't want to learn. It seems rather simple but it makes so much sense, why have would you want a second remote (or even a second mode) when you can just hit the vol up/down. Anything less and I'll be getting the $30 Walmart special.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Thanks! Yes activities work the same, it allows you to select which device is for audio control and which device the other buttons should be used for

[@try-that]

I did get a 'sofa' I believe it's called, when my Logitech stopped working. But I can't say I really liked it, so while looking for a 2nd hand Logitech, I found a KZbin channel where it showed how to fix the keys of various Logitech remotes, plus it was cheap, got it and fitted and my Logitech remote works like new. So for me I'm still using and preferring my Logitech remote.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Awesome!

[@CamiloSperberg]

So that base is emitting IR right? I don't think you know but that means that in order for me to operate the TV upstairs (while I am downstairs) I would need 2 base stations? Also HA integration would be soooo awesome, I could do anything I want pretty easily! Like set up scenes which dims lights, closes curtains (depending on night time/lux) and so much other stuff. I will wait though until the final product is released, nice to see where this goes!

[@jjjurgensen454]

Does anyone know if the sofa lbaton U1 works with Phillips hue

[@mickyarams]

Any company than can replicate the harmony pure IR remotes, I.e harmony 6xx, 7xx, 9xxx series.... Will do well. There's a reason why those remotes are so hard to find online.

[@AwesomeOpenSource]

really interested to see how this goes. I've been watching for a replacement option for the Neeo remote I bought a few years ago. It was really excellent, and worked very similarly (but the screen was nicer on Neeo). Program it up, make simple 1-button clicks for my mom to switch between devices and inputs, and not have her have to figure out 6 remtoes with 100 buttons each. Super simple layout (very Roku like), and that made it a win. The Neeo was much more expensive, so this is a definite contender. Well done.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Nice, I haven't seen that one yet but does sound good!

[@AwesomeOpenSource]

@@EverythingSmartHome it WAS great...haha. They got bought out by a smart home company, and the product discontinued...so not the app doesn't work for programming it. cautionary tale I guess. It still does what my mom needs, I just can't modify it anymore. But gotten 4 years out of it, so can't complain too much.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Damn that's a real shame but often the way!

[@koffiezet]

Neeo was indeed very nice, but they ended up not delivering anything near what they promised. Now been looking at the YIO remote now, have the v1 dev-kit, but never got around to actually replacing the Neeo with it. The v2 which was kickstarted recently promises a more polished thing, and it being opensource is a huge plus for me.

[@AwesomeOpenSource]

@@koffiezet Yep, super interested in the Yio V2. I just need to see it delivered.

[@dustbustr123]

I have the U1, it's pretty great. Not perfect, but definitely the best self-contained universal remote I've ever had. No hub to deal with, and being able to configure all the devices and buttons, including mixing multiple devices into one remote preset, all from my phone is incredibly convenient. Honestly, if Sofabaton came out with a U1+ that had backlit keys I would buy it in a heartbeat over this. A rechargable battery would be icing on the cake. When I travel, I just put my Chromecast with Google TV and the U1 in my bag and 9 times out of 10 I can find a built in code that will let me control the hotel TV and switch inputs to the Chromecast. Takes all of 2 minutes to get set up and use one remote for both.

[@mjrleaguesweetie]

I just set my U1 up last night. Mine takes forever to turn the volume on my receiver up and down, compared to the lightning-fast speed of my Logitech Harmony. Otherwise I love it, no complaints.

[@truthseekerr22]

How did you connect the Google tv with it? I also am having trouble connecting my xbox series x...

[@liviuzaharia9826]

Does it nave something like the Harmony Hub? And it has only a few buttons, so it is difficult to control many devices with only one push. What about Google Home, Alexa?

[@martinsherry]

Great review, really helpful. One Q - I noticed on the kickstarter site, it mentions Alexa integration. By any chance, would I be able to use alexa to control an apple tv to, for example, perform the equivalent of “Watch the Morning Show”. ie is there any way of passing a search parameter of any description into apple tv. I’m guessing it would likely be more a case of having to configure the individual button presses to go to home, to go to search (right arrow etc) and then replicating every letter using various arrow buttons. ie a very very painful process. Guessing its the latter, but i’m always an optimist.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Hello and thanks! The site mentions it but in the small print you will see that it is not yet added so unfortunately I wasn't able to test it yet, otherwise I would have mentioned it during the review cause I know people would be interested!

[@jarnokylander490]

So no activities as Harmony does? That's a pass for me. I have TV, receiver and a set top box. I want to have activities to control channels from the set top box and volume from the receiver.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Not sure what you mean sorry, I showed activities in this video?

[@CrashCarson14]

I’ll have to find a used harmony if mine ever breaks…the best. Why can’t the rote do it all? I don’t have room for a hub, and I actually have a second room where I occasionally need the remote.

[@whatdoctor]

Excellent review. Much appreciated.

[@PaulBelkin]

Finally a replacement. Understand why they discontinued it it with everyone using smartphones to control everything. I have some customers that still want a physical remote, so this is a good alternative

[@Michi_L]

I live in fear that my Harmony will pass away sometime so i am looking for an alternative. Since even my coffeemachine has a touchscreen, why is there a brandnew remote without it? Most important for switching channels on tv, there should be buttons to do so quickly.

[@vermeulengert]

I'm a backer. I will see if I like it or not. Thanks for the review.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Thanks for watching!

[@thebatu89]

Is there no voice button on the remote? That’s the one thing missing from the harmony lineup (except harmony express) Would be great if you could trigger google assistant or alexa for voice search

[@liamcinq]

The Logitech remotes are hard to beat really. I keep being drawn to this as my One's are badly worn but just feel I'd get buyers remorse and pick faults in it, the screen and font already put me off. Wonder if someone may buy the remote side from Logitech and revive it?

[@adv5684]

i have one harmony one in use, and one in spare. and also a new harmony 665 in a box.

[@BW-ze3mg]

My favorite option that Logitech had was the Harmony Keyboard. In fact, I used it 99% more than the Harmony remote. I'd love to see them add that option to the X1

[@LordOrwell]

I still have one of those.

[@BW-ze3mg]

@@LordOrwell So do I. It still works very well but it eats through batteries like crazy now!

[@LordOrwell]

@@BW-ze3mg i've been running rechargables for years in it. I can't say for sure it's working any more, but i'm about to re-pair it to my living room hub since i have a fire tv in there now, and i absolutely hate the on-screen navigation for entering numbers, and the web browsing is almost useless without it.

[@Truevisionsolutions]

It’s ok, there flaws for installers like number keys and it not being touch screen, I have 700 Logitech users on my books and all have sky or virgin! Currently changing a lot to savant and control 4 .

[@turdferguson7686]

ohh, backlighting! i have the older sofa baton and it had a lot going for it but i watch tv in a dark room and it didnt have backlit buttons so was just a pain. a lot of potential though. may have to try this thing out.

[@BeardedTinker]

Enjoyed, liked and already subscribed :D

[@EverythingSmartHome]

It's only cause I asked twice isn't it? 🤣

[@BeardedTinker]

@@EverythingSmartHome no, you asked really nice - that's why 😉

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Haha my man, appreciate you my friend! 🙏

[@pb78pb]

Since my Harmony was dying I switched to an IR Blaster connected to my Homeassistant server running on a Raspberry pi. Like this I can use the phone or any zigbee controller to start scenes. More complicated for setup maybe but now full control of everything including the blinds ec

[@donvedio]

I have been using and am still using Harmony 610 and 620 remotes. Do everything perfectly. However, now the older Harmony software is no longer working, so I cannot reprogram the remotes anymore. I really do not see this X1 and a replacement to the older Harmony remores.

[@bigbongbob]

Back button on the top is a deal breaker

[@itwsntme]

Oh crap. I did not know Logitech was discontinuing the line. I've had three over the years and they were always unbeatable. My current one (a "one") is a key component of my AV setup, which includes 17 retro consoles going though various switches, converters and even a couple of devices I designed myself. All easily controlled from by heavily configured One. The thought of buying a spare one to keep crossed my mind but never actually pulled the trigger. Now its too late I guess. Hope the one I have lasts me a long time. I can see how this is not popular anymore. Hopefully there will be a worthy successor, this one seems to have to few physical buttons for my taste.

[@sebastianjung3689]

Refurbished ones show up on eBay from time to time. I got 2 from there. Looking new and working fine.

[@Luggi83]

My greatest fear is that they suddenly will stop support too. They said they will keep the servers up as long as people use the devices, but Logitech is known for screwing with their customers. Fingers crossed.

[@88adrian25]

Ok can somone help me please!!! Or have you seen this issue- so my customer has universal remotes but when I go to prime tv on the TV app I cam go in and pick a show !! But I can not go back to home page! No mater what button I use!! I can only g o back to home screen with the tv remote

[@rfitzgerald2004]

Love the look of this, the hardware looks great for the price and features are reasonable too. Like you say it definitely needs some polish on the interface, I'd definitely like to see a nice sans-serif font and ideally theming support or an icon-based menu option as well making better use of the colour screen. Also like you say, it would seriously benefit from some integration ability with other automation systems like Google Assistant or HomeAssistant. Can't wait to see what the final product will be like and hopefully these points can be ironed out with a firmware upgrade down the line

[@koma-k]

Currently using a Harmony hub, and love the battery life of the remote as it's counted in years, not days. Also, the lack of number keys on the X1 is a disadvantage for my use. To replace the Harmony I'd like the U1 remote but with hub connection... Well, ideally I'd like a replacement for my old Philips Pronto remote which I have in the basement cinema setup - it's not end-user friendly to program, but it can't be beat for flexibility.

[@JohnVanderbeck]

The remote sure isn't. My harmony remote can be dead in a week or less if I forget to stick it in the charger

[@koma-k]

@@JohnVanderbeck mine is the simple displayless one sold with the Hub - there's just a coin cell battery and it lasts ages. I had the Ultimate One previously which I also liked, but as you say needed to visit the charger regularly. When it died (spilled tea on it :-( ) I ended up with the Hub and its "simple" remote. Thought I might miss the touch display, but I haven't really. Not as easy when activities go out of sync as you have to just try repeatedly till it hits the right combo, or use the phone app to fix device status, but overall I prefer it to the Ultimate One.

[@coolzero8933]

can i integrate this Remote in the Bluetoothoptions of my Nvidia Shield 2017 to control this and use parallel the IR for the TV , i´have not CEC.

[@AndrewCusworth]

I actually backed this on Kickstarter but backed out when I realised that there was no ir blaster in the actual remote and I had nowhere for the hub

[@theorgangrinder1743]

That is always the font because they are the "standard" English characters that come with a Mandarin language pack.

[@Fee.1]

Whaaaat I didn’t realize Logitech was ending the harmony it’s been around nearly 2 decades

[@barteh]

No IR blaster with the remote itself is a massive drawback and I really cant understand the reasoning behind this decision. The remote is meant to be multipurpose, I have a huge stack of AV equipment and multiple devices and I want to point the remote at each device. It will not be possible for the hub to face ALL Devices unless it was on the opposite side of the room on our sofa. A real shame....

[@GaryBarclay]

Bang on for the price. Shame about the API and the back button...two things that have me throw it out before buying it...I know that makes no sense. The harmony companion...still in use at my place was always let down by the software. Next remote for me will have to meet certain criteria...like working, for one and preferably not having to be plugged in via USB for updates, another.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Cheers Gary!

[@VeerMaharaj]

They just need to use a better font, and make sure the IR on the hub is omni directional.

[@Jeroen_a]

It's also missing the numbers so entering a number for a channel of the TV or decoder.. you can't do.

[@BOBAGENTSMITH]

This would be an immediate buy if there was Google, Alexa, home kit, and home assistant support.

[@LordOrwell]

"pre-production with pre-production software"... sounds about like the harmony hub when i bought it. It didn't even have online access when it came out.

[@JasonRasmussen]

Prerelease software? It comes out next month.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

As in, the app I was using on the phone was pre-release

[@bill392]

Lack of wireless recharging and lack of number pad for channel selection, both deal breakers for me, so I won't be using this thing. My Harmony has both as well as no need for a hub and it automatically senses motion so when I pick it up, it lights up and I can immediately see everything. Sofabaton doesn't have to toss out features in favor of making the thing tiny. Frankly, I like a good size remote that fits my hand, not a keyfob. Thanks for the review, much appreciated.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

No worries, glad it was useful!

[@fruvita67]

What about tuya smart remote i think it offers alot more and more integration

[@wrwazy]

I think they forgot one very important key also, the ability to talk to your remote!

[@robinbonathan]

Interesting hope they do well. My harmony elite is still going strong but if it breaks, that would be problem. Wish I kept the spare I was given some years ago.

[@kansasgardener5844]

Might want to buy another while you still can. Expect to pay more for it!

[@LeonLamothe]

can you create activities like in the harmony series?

[@EverythingSmartHome]

You can indeed, covered this in the video

[@xXDarkRevolutionHDXx]

Ever looked at the Yio Remote 2?

[@EverythingSmartHome]

I have indeed! Would love to try one out! :)

[@mikeguest6307]

Public API is a deal breaker for me. I'll stick with the RM Pro and RM mini which allow me to trigger basic functions in an automated way, and my phone is my baton. Also I feel lack of number buttons on the baton itself makes no sense for a remote that will replace a TV remote. Overall, nice try so far but those two things makes it a big miss for me.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Public API sure, there have been rumours of them adding it so fingers crossed. Buttons I can see, although not everyone watches digital/cable TV anymore (like myself) and have no need for buttons

[@pjllb]

Need the same suite of buttons as the Harmony and other remotes. Using the scroll wheel to get to a function takes too much effort and time.

[@tixastronauta]

I don’t understand why there’s not a more open-source approach to this kind of remotes. They really need to make it available for developers to push their own apps or integrations! This neeeeeds to be compatible with homeassistant!

[@JohnVanderbeck]

That's pretty much the YIO Remote Two. It isn't out yet but will work with HA, and has an open source API. But as usual it costs more so the cheapskate market will win out.

[@andymok7945]

Sorely lacking remote system. No network interface and not enough buttons on the remote. I am rather pissed as I bought mine in Apr. 2020. Hoping it is released to open source community. Also as you said, needs integration with Home Assistant as I have my Harmony currently.

[@bond2k3]

I'm a backer, but I wasn't aware that the remote does not connect via Wifi - only bluetooth? That could be a dealbreaker as I want to control the devices in another room. Also shame for me that they added a speaker to the remote, but no IR sender.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

I'm not sure what you mean about the Bluetooth sorry?

[@bond2k3]

@@EverythingSmartHome you mentioned there is no wifi on the remote right? I guess the connection from the remote to the hub is then via Bluetooth?

[@EverythingSmartHome]

No WiFi on the remote no, that's why the battery life is so long compared to some others. I'm not sure what the connection is between the hub and remote, it may be RF like the harmony is.

[@Palekale345]

I am a home automation technician. You need a Savant system in your life. Way beyond these systems

[@FrankieMaroon]

Am I the only one that would miss not having a keypad to select TV channels?

[@thatyoutubechannel5453]

You should checkout or review the YIO Remote 2 once it’s available 😁

[@EverythingSmartHome]

I would love too! Start a petition 😂

[@bigbongbob]

Yes! Open API

[@tomhorsley6566]

I've always liked my Harmony remotes and always hated with white hot intensity their stupid web based remote server only interfaces for configuring them. I wonder when their servers will stop working rendering my harmony remotes impossible to modify. I don't suppose they'd consider releasing the protocols so I could run my own server? I hope the sofabaton works locally on the app, and doesn't absolutely require access to their web servers unless you are trying to download codes.

[@shanetaylor3936]

I prefer remotes with physical number keys, scrolling around is a pain.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Not an issue for me and many people who don't watch cable/digital TV and have no need for number buttons but sure I can see why for some it might be a problem! Cheers

[@VSMOKE1]

I have definitely stopped using certain remotes because the back button was not reachable it is very annoying

[@dmacpher]

Missed opportunity with SofaKing: Amazing 😂

[@EverythingSmartHome]

Haha damn next time! 😂

[@tablatronix]

Lets hope there is an open way to program this, unlike logitechs abysmal software.

[@EverythingSmartHome]

🤞