SilverPac's evolution 5500 is described as a universal remote control that supports more than 100 devices out of the box, can learn from other remotes, and provides "full control over your home entertainment system, lighting and HVAC, and your mobile PC or desktop computer." The device includes 802.11g wireless networking for talking to PCs, and supports both the
Z-Wave (RF) and
RC6 (infrared) standards for remote controls, according to the company.
Despite this focus, it would be fair to describe the evolution 5500 as being not just a remote control, but also a portable computer. According to SilverPac, the device has an ARM9 processor, equipped with 256MB of RAM and 1GB of flash storage. Also featured is a 4.3-inch touchscreen display with 480 x 272 resolution, a five-way controller, and hardware buttons for such functions as volume control and muting, the company says.
SilverPac evolution 5500
(Click to enlarge)
OUR VERDICT:
A honey of a gadget, but at what price? |
There's no mention of web browsing or the ability to run binaries of the user's own installing, but the evolution 5500 is based on Windows CE 6.0 R2, according to SilverPAC. It's said that in addition to acting as a remote control, the unit can display photos synced with Microsoft's
Windows Live FrameIt service, which also allows the device to retrieve news, weather, and other information contained in RSS feeds, and display information from websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Picasa, and Photobucket.
Like the company's previous Advanced Digital Picture Frame (ADPF), the device is designed to support Microsoft's SideShow technology, which made its debut with Windows Vista and is now part of the Windows 7 operating system. SideShow features mini-applications known as gadgets. The gadgets execute on the Windows 7/Vista PC, but the PC's control panel (shown below) can be used to send their output to external clients connected via USB, Bluetooth, TCP/IP, or other protocols. (Microsoft says that in addition to remote controls and digital picture frames, clients can include mobile phones, laptops, front-panel computer displays, or displays embedded in keyboards.)
Windows 7's SideShow control panelAccording to SilverPac, users of the evolution 5500 can use Microsoft's Windows Media Player gadget to browse and play media files stored on their PCs. This may include video as well as audio playback, although no details were provided about the supported file types.
Hardware features not already mentioned above include a built-in microphone, speaker, ambient light sensor, and three-axis motion sensor, according to SilverPAC. With a 3760mAh battery that can be recharged via a mini-USB port, the evolution 500 will also apparently include a tabletop docking/charging station.
Availability
SilverPac did not cite pricing for the evolution 5500, but says the device will be available in February 2010. More information may be found on the company's website, here.
Related stories: 
