We all love getting new gadgets -- marketing and design departments have honed their crafts to a point that pretty much guarantees a steady release of endorphins throughout the selection, purchasing, unboxing and first impression stages. We've spent about a week putting Logitech's Harmony Adapter for the PlayStation 3 through its paces; long enough that we feel we're safely past the "honeymoon" stage and can put a little perspective on how it fits in with HT setups incorporating a PS3. Follow us past the break to see if we'll be living happily ever after, seeking counseling or filing for divorce.

Yeah, sure, we knew the Harmony IR-to-Bluetooth remote adapter was coming down the pike, but even with FCC filings and official confirmation of the device from Harmony, the PS3 owners among us are breathing a small sigh of relief now that we've got our hands on a unit that prove it will make it to market. We have a love/hate relationship with the PS3's Bluetooth remote control -- the range and total non-directionality of it are great, but having a separate remote control just for the PS3 is a real stick in the eye of our couch potato lifestyles. There are a few choices for solving the PS3 remote control conundrum, but on first blush this unit has three things going for it: support from a big name like Logitech (of course including codes in the Harmony database), it does not eat up one of your PS3's USB ports, and it handles switching the PS3 on and off (not unique, but some other solutions don't). We'll give the IR-to-Bluetooth converter a full rundown in due course, but follow us past the break for our initial impressions, an official fact sheet and a link to a Q&A section on the Logitech blog.

You've got to love it, don't you? Just a day after we caught wind of Logitech's Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3 (via the always informative FCC), the aforesaid company has come forward and confessed to its plans. The good news is that the adapter is for real, and while we're still not being told too much about the device itself, we do know that it will operate with any Harmony remote and it won't take up a USB port on your console. In other words, it's a simple Infrared-to-Bluetooth converter, though it promises to give Harmony remote users "complete control (including power on / off) over the movie-watching experience on a PS3." We're pleading for more information on pricing and availability, but until that's received, just enjoy your weekend knowing that you'll be able to buy one soon enough.

For everything going wrong in your life right now, there's at least one beacon of light to keep you, a dutiful PS3 owner, smiling. A long (long!) awaited device has just slipped into the FCC's database, and while details are scant, most of what we need to know is tucked away in the title: Logitech Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3. For far too long, PS3 owners with IR-based universal remotes have had to rely on clunky IR-to-Bluetooth converters to get the two to communicate, but as soon as the E-R0001 hits the market, all that will change for Harmony owners. As of now, we've got three questions that desperately need answered: 1) when?; 2) how much?; and 3) what Harmony remotes are compatible?

If you've been pondering the purchase of a touchscreen-heavy $500 remote, you've probably been pondering the purchase of a Logitech Harmony 1100. If so, you should probably surf on over to Engadget Classic's review, which takes a critical look at its pros, cons and everything in between. Go on, get!

While we're happy to eschew buttons for touchscreens on some things, we're still not entirely sold on the Harmony 1100's (relatively) minimalist design, an update to that display-focused layout first seen on the 1000. Most like to use remote controls without looking down, and that could be a bit of a challenge here. However, as the buttons on most Harmony remotes tend to start failing after about 12 months or so, perhaps ditching most of them is a good move for Logitech. Regardless of the intent, if you're so sick of multiple controllers you're willing to spend $500 on the company's latest and greatest, you'd better get that credit card warmed up and click the read link. Our failing economy thanks you.

Logitech's last Harmony launch was of the subtle and sneaky variety, but there's nothing at all quiet about this one. The big, bold and brash Harmony 1100 is showing itself here in Las Vegas, and the primary selling point is the customizable, 3.5-inch QVGA full-color touchscreen. Rather than getting your buttons all gummed up with pizza grease, you can now smear a nice, innocent panel as you attempt to alter volume and change channels. As expected, the unit packs a rechargeable battery and RF capabilities, and the guided online setup should make programming a lesson in simplicity. Can't wait to get your own? Tough luck, 'cause this one's not shipping to the US and Europe until next month for $499.99.

[Via Electronic House]

We know, January wasn't that long ago, but in consumer electronics years, it's been forever since a new Harmony was revealed. For those of you already on the hunt for a sub-$100 gizmo to give to your favorite person this holiday season, Logitech is jonesing for your business with its entry-level Harmony 510 universal remote. You should know, however, that the IR remote operates just five devices (remember the "entry-level" bit we mentioned?), though it does boast an inbuilt LCD and a fair amount of buttons. Harmony freaks have already pointed out that this one looks almost like a repackaged 550, though your technology-challenged sibling / parent / colleague probably won't take the time to notice. Get those stockings stuffed early for $99.99 (MSRP) a pop.

[Via CNET]

As a whole, it's hard to kvetch too much about Logitech's Harmony line of universal remotes, but as a devout hacker once told us, there's always room for improvement. Phil Dibowitz has been pursuing this project for months, and it looks as if a final release is at long last ready for mass distribution. Put simply, Concordance enables the Harmony family to be programmed in UNIX (which Logitech's software doesn't support) as well as in Windows and Linux. Furthermore, Phil states that the goal is to be "cross-platform," so Mac users should keep an eye out for future updates. Currently, the software supports every model save for the 890 and 1000, though both will hopefully be added in soon. Go on, give the read link a tap and get started -- just don't come crying to us if your "Watch TiVo" command starts opening the boss' garage door.

[Via Hack-A-Day]

If you thought Logitech was going to rest on the laurels of the Harmony 880, think again. The Harmony One looks to pick up where the 880 left off; it takes everything we love about the 880 and steps it up by replacing the terrible buttons with our favorite raised type, and the LCD screen goes touch screen to boot. PJ from PC Magazine appreciates the new ergonomic layout and touch screen, but misses being able to access the LCD screen without looking down at the remote. The charger base was also revised, but no word on if it is more reliable -- PJ does say that he was seeing about a week of battery life. In the end, the Harmony One is a nice upgrade to the 880, but considering that it's priced almost twice that of the Harmony 550, we're not sure it's doubly good.

We just opened Monster's first go at universal remotes, the AVL 300, and we'll have a full review up shortly but lets just say that we came for remote consolidation ability but are staying for the lighting control -- boy is is slick. To sum up the AVL 300, it's a Harmony remote (there is a Harmony badge on the back of the battery cover) slightly reworked for better lighting control and multi-AV system controls oh and yes, it does cost more Monster Cable style. So 'till we get the full review up, enjoy the pictures.

Who would have thought that a little remote would cause so much media attention but we can tell you that once you play with the Logitech 1000, it is easy to understand why. It looks and feels so much like those custom install remotes by Creston but is so much more affordable at the $499 price. We got the chance to play with a pre-production model and it's nice. Smooth, slick but at the same time seems to be rather functional. The remote doesn't come in the conventional candy-bar style and it is somewhat difficult to hold with one hand but the help of a leg or armrest when sitting helps a lot. The screens provide just enough info without filling the display with to much data. Response is just like other Harmony remotes which is just fine with us as those products simply work. The only thing we would change is the hard buttons on the right-hand side should be a tad bigger. They are kind of small and bigger buttons seems like it would be easier to use along with taking up more of all that empty landscape. We don't think Logitech is going to push back its October launch just because of our complaint, but other then that, this is one nice remote.

More action shots after the jump.

Logitech finally spent some cash with their design department and updated the look of their dated Harmony remotes. The previous high-end design wasn't anything pretty but it did function very well in it's conventional form factor. If you have never used one of these remotes, they have built in macros which makes it a joy not only to you but everyone else that uses your amazing, but complex, AV system. (Our review of the $150 659 here) The 1000 brings a nice, big LCD touch panel to work with. Basically, Logitech took the look and feel of those uber-expensive custom install remotes and worked the Harmony system into a similar form factor. Just like the previous high-end, the 890, it operates via RF waves that will allow users to control the volume of the tunes in another room. For $499, it isn't a bad package and a rather nice alternative to remotes that cost more then your house payment.

And you call yourself an eco-friendly human being. You sport the Prius with pride, munch on twigs and berries, and even plant a tree each Arbor day, but you still have that plasma hanging above your minimalistic Ikea table; shame on you. Didn't you know that a plasma TV requires nearly four times the amount of energy a normal tube TV does? It is getting so bad in England, they might have to build two extra nuclear power plants just to power all these new flat panels that are being installed in homes and pubs across the country. Plus, when you add in all the extra equipment to complete the digital experience, (e.g. DVD players, DVRs, media centers, ect.) it just means that our little, green globe is going to burn up even quicker. So you know what this means right, it is a great excuse to pick up a nice Harmony remote that turns things off when they are not in use. How else where you planning on spending all that cash you are saving by driving a Prius?