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]

Ask us what we think about voice control of A/V gear, and you're likely to get a laugh. Gesture-based control, however, is a different kettle of fish. Despite the knocks we give it, simply waving your hands through the air does make you feel more powerful than pressing a designated button. Universal Electronics (UEI) is on the same page, and has licensed motion-control technology from Hillcrest Labs to deliver more of that omnipotent feeling in its remote controls. Hillcrest's Freespace tech has already found its way into the Logitech MX Air, but we'll have to wait and see what kind of usage UEI will incorporate into its products. Creating a successful "10-foot" experience isn't going to be solved by hardware manufacturers alone, though -- optimizing the graphical side of the design is necessary as well.

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.

Engadget recommends you hum The Who's "Squeeze Box" while reading this post. That said, Logitech has just announced details for their latest Squeezebox, dubbed the Squeezebox Duet. The system controls your myriad musical devices with a wireless controller that can interface with multiple 802.11g Duet receivers. The controller's 2.4" LCD lets you browse your music library using a "familiar" scroll-wheel (now where do we recognize that from again?). But you're not limited to your own tunes, you can also tune-in internet radio providers like Rhapsody and Pandora. The Squeezebox Duet "network music system" comes with both receiver and controller for $400, and will be available in the US and Europe this month. Want additional receivers for other rooms, they'll be available for $150 while additional controllers will be available for $300. There's no escape from the music ...

Looks like Harmony is listening to users -- witness the Harmony One's revised layout. Centrally-located transport controls and good separation on the numeric inputs go a long way to addressing our gripes. They're touting the "same one-touch, activity-based control" as existing models, so no telling if the programming side of the house has been revamped. We're hoping they take the one-size fits all wizard approach and make tweaks and adjustments a little more easily accessible. Control freaks and those who make a habit of shuffling their gear (sound like anyone familiar?) would really appreciate a more direct way to tweak out their remotes!

Hot on the heels of Logitech's Pure-Fi Dream and Anywhere iPod speakers comes the Pure-Fi Elite, a system that reportedly ups the ante by offering up 80-watts of power and looks a hair like the AudioStation of old. Reportedly, the device touts two-way sats, one-inch tweeters, and four-inch woofers to go along with the built-in LCD display, wireless remote, iPod dock, video output, and auxiliary input jack. Details surrounding price and availability don't yet look to be officially available, but word on the street has this sucka landing next month for around $300.

[Via MacNN]

Frankly, we were a tad shocked at just how large Logitech's floor presence actually was, but then again, nearly everything looks sizable once you crawl out of Sanyo's mini-hut. Nevertheless, Logitech was out in full force at CEDIA demonstrating its Squeezebox, MX Air mouse, diNovo Edge keyboard, Harmony remotes, and the seemingly new Transporter, which was dubbed "the first audiophile network music player." Moreover, the device packed an AK4396 "Miracle DAC," a rack-mountable design, and support for IR, IP and RS-232 control schemes, and if it's pictures you want, then it's picture you'll get.

Logitech is breaking away from all those iPod-friendly speaker stations a moment and getting down to business with the G51 Surround Sound Speaker System. Designed for PC gamers and film-watchers alike, this 5.1 rig features "360-degree surround sound with dual Matrix modes," which creates a "surround-sound experience from any common two-channel stereo source." Furthermore, users can look forward to built-in headphone / microphone jacks, a convenient mute button, customizable satellites, gaming and music Matrix modes, 155-watts of total power, a ported, down-firing subwoofer, and independent volume controls for good measure. Notably, Logitech's latest setup won't exactly break the bank, as interested consumers can bring these home for just $199.99 this October.

[Via TheNewsMarket]

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.