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Universal Android remote beats Google to punch

A Korean company is already offering the Smart Touch URC Andi-One, an Android device that delivers on the promise of Android@Home.

Eric Mack Contributing Editor
Eric Mack has been a CNET contributor since 2011. Eric and his family live 100% energy and water independent on his off-grid compound in the New Mexico desert. Eric uses his passion for writing about energy, renewables, science and climate to bring educational content to life on topics around the solar panel and deregulated energy industries. Eric helps consumers by demystifying solar, battery, renewable energy, energy choice concepts, and also reviews solar installers. Previously, Eric covered space, science, climate change and all things futuristic. His encrypted email for tips is ericcmack@protonmail.com.
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Eric Mack

The Andi-One does enough to keep your attention even when the other screens in your home can't. Conspin

Last week, Google unleashed Android@Home, inviting developers to have at the code and get going on creating a whole new generation of home automation and interaction. But if you just can't wait for the garage tinkerers of the world to build the gadgets that will finally usher in the Jetsons age, one Korean company is already ahead of the game.

South Korea's Conspin is already offering the Smart Touch URC Andi-One (PDF), which is basically the world's ultimate universal remote, but it also runs on Android 2.1, fulfills much of the promise of Android@Home, and is available now.

You've never seen a gadget quite like the Andi-One before--think of a hybrid of a traditional remote control and a tablet computer. Besides being able to control just about any device in your house that communicates via IR and RF, it's also Wi-Fi equipped and can run Android apps.

So, basically, this is the first device that allows you to play Angry Birds, receive an e-mail from your buddy telling you that the Angry Birds opera is finally out, and change the channel to PBS where you can listen to an angry soprano bird belting it out in the background while you continue with your game.

At $350, the Andi-One might be a tough sell for those of us who already walk around with Android smartphones, but this looks like it could be the next must-have item for the geek elite and avid SkyMall shopper.