Author: Andrew Liszewski, a seasoned journalist who has been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and technology since 2011, but has had a love for all things electronic since childhood.
The new SwitchBot universal on-screen remote does more than just control your home entertainment center. With Bluetooth and Matter support, the remote control can also control smart home devices without the need for a smartphone.
For those who have a hard time keeping track of remote controls, from ceiling fans to light bulbs, the SwitchBot universal remote currently supports “up to 83,934 infrared remote control models” and its codebase is updated every six months.
The remote control is also compatible with other SwitchBot smart home devices, including robots and curtain controllers, as well as Bluetooth controls, which are options on many stand-alone smart light bulbs. Apple TV and Fire TV will be supported at launch, but Roku and Android TV users will have to wait for a future update for the remote to be compatible with their hardware.
SwitchBot’s latest accessory isn’t the only universal remote compatible with smart home devices. The $258 Haptique RS90, introduced to consumers through a Kickstarter campaign, promises similar features. But SwitchBot’s product is more attractive, costs much less ($59.99), and supports Matter.
The ability to control Matter-compatible devices from other smart home brands requires a universal remote to work with the company’s SwitchBot Hub 2 or Hub Mini, which will increase the price of the remote for those who don’t already use one of those hubs. . House.
The SwitchBot’s universal remote’s 2.4-inch LCD screen should make viewing the long list of controllable devices more user-friendly, but you won’t be able to touch it. All controls are via physical buttons and a touch-sensitive scroll wheel reminiscent of early iPod models. If you lose it, you won’t have to dig through all the couch cushions in your house. The SwitchBot app has a “Find My Remote” feature that makes the universal remote sound audible, making it easier to find.
The 2,000mAh battery promises up to 150 days of battery life, but that’s based on “an average of 10 minutes of screen use per day,” which isn’t that much. Users may need to charge the SwitchBot universal remote more often, but it’s still more convenient than searching for a new pair of AAA batteries when the battery runs low.
Post time: Sep-03-2024