Universal Electronics Puts In Consumer Hands Ability To Download Internet Upgrades To Existing Wireless Remotes
We can use the Internet and our personal computers to download music and video, why can't we use them to keep our universal remote controls universal - that is, never obsolete? We can. Universal Electronics, Inc. (UEI) (Nasdaq: UEIC), the leading global supplier of universal remote controls and other wireless handheld technologies for home entertainment and information systems, today announced yet another application of its downloading technology: the ability to transfer via the Internet and PC or television speakers the infrared codes necessary to operate the latest components with an existing remote control, wireless keyboard or combination device. ""With this technology, consumer electronics manufacturers can offer consumers codes for new products not yet programmed into their existing wireless devices, as well as the added convenience of upgrading these remotes or keyboards from home whenever they wish, versus waiting for a call service center to open halfway across the country,"" says Camille Jayne, UEI's Chairman and CEO. Once a Web site supporting UEI's download capability is accessed, remotes equipped with UEI's patented modem coil may be held up to the PC or TV speakers to receive selected infrared codes from the company's world-class database of nearly 100,000 device operating codes for everything from TVs to DVDs. ""We've taken the process of upgrading code libraries out of the service center and into the consumer's domain - wherever they have a PC, or a TV coupled with an interactive, Internet-enabled set-top box,"" Jayne says. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) do not necessarily have to start over with a brand-new remote control, wireless keyboard or similar product to take advantage of UEI's new Internet download capability, UEI emphasizes. The company explains that, for example, many of its business customers already package with their systems universal remotes equipped with UEI-patented modems. UEI also points out that its new technology will not supersede other code transfer systems offered by the company, including UEI's patented remote-to-remote ""learning"" technology and the ability to download infrared codes by holding the remote up to a telephone. UEI invites inquiries from OEMs but has not yet disclosed pricing information for its newest Internet downloading service. ""UEI's steady introduction of wireless handheld products particularly over the past year assures our place at the forefront of advanced, wireless interactive enabling technologies,"" Jayne says. ""Our goal, as always, is to stay in the `sweet spot' of the interactive experience."" About Universal Electronics Universal Electronics, Inc., based in Southern California, builds and markets pre-programmed, easy-to-use universal remote controls principally for home entertainment equipment and the subscription broadcast market. The company's product lines under development include other wireless interface technologies, such as keyboards and touch-screen remotes. UEI licenses its proprietary technologies and products to companies involved in the cable industry, private-label customers and consumer electronics manufacturers. The company also sells its remote control products to distributors and retailers in Europe, Asia, South America and Australia under the One For All(R) brand name.