Attack of the Clones!
First for today, I’m pleased to announce a brand new review of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, which will be officially released on DVD this coming Tuesday. Check out my thoughts on this excellent quality release by reading my full review, replete with screen captures.

[ Talk about DVD movies! ]

UltraMote extends support.
CaronWare’s UltraMote PDA-based remote control software continues to expand the number of models it works on. Recently announced is support for quite a few new units: the Audiovox Maestro, the Fujitsu LOOX, the Toshiba e310, e33x, e550G, e570 and e740, the Compaq iPAQ 3100. Software has also been updated with twice as many customizable screens – 25 each for 10 locations or users. For more information, visit http://www.ultramote.com.

For those whose PDA must do everything...
Find it hard to wake up? Given up on simple alarm clocks? Well, now you can turn your omnipresent Palm PDA into a full features alarm clock. AirSpell’s new AirClock 2.2 doesn’t wake you up with just MIDI ring tones... it’ll also turn on any remote-capable device thanks to its IR learning feature! So now you can jolt yourself up with a rousing track of Metallica, or perhaps Good Morning America. The choice is yours! For more information, visit http://www.airspell.com.

UEI’s technology added to Smart Displays spec.
The battle between the “home control” manufactures seems to be heating up with UEI’s recent announcement that their Nevo technology has been added to Intel’s reference design for Microsoft’s Windows CE for Smart Displays. The arrangement will make some components standard in future Smart Display products, including a consumer infrared chip and supporting hardware. This will allow Smart Display owners to fully interact with their home entertainment product.

Also announced was that UEI will be the exclusive supplier of universal remotes for Kenwood. The new line will feature UEI’s new Kameleon technology, which is sort of like a cross between an LCD screen and an electroluminescent backlight. You can see an example of this in our CEDIA 2002 video.

A TV guide for your PDA...
A new service called ConnectedTV from ConnectedMedia Corporation promises to turn Palm PDA’s into a full featured TV guide. The new service costs $29.95 per year and provides an interactive program guide that automatically tunes channels on TVs, cable boxes and satellite receivers. The guide includes program names and descriptions and supports advanced functionally like the marking of favorites and the elimination of channels or programs you don’t want to see. For more information, visit http://www.conected.tv.

[ Talk about PDA remotes! ]