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ZigBee Alliance Announces New Remote Control Profile for Next Generation Remote Control (12/1/2010)

New public application profile defines radio frequency (RF) standard for advanced remote controls, replacing infrared (IR) technology

The ZigBee® Alliance, a global ecosystem of companies creating wireless solutions for use in energy management, commercial and consumer applications, today announced the availability of ZigBee Remote Control, the new global standard for advanced remote controls. ZigBee Remote Control is the first public application profile designed specifically for use with the ZigBee RF4CE specification announced earlier this year.

ZigBee Remote Control frees consumers from pointing remotes at devices, offers flexible control from nearby rooms, enables unique two-way communications between the remote and device, plus delivers improved remote battery life for a variety of consumer electronic (CE) devices like HDTV, home theater equipment, set-top boxes and other audio equipment.

ZigBee Remote Control replaces 30 year-old infrared (IR) technology with radio frequency (RF) control and eliminates the pointing confusion and other performance problems associated with IR remotes and large screen LCD and plasma televisions. It also delivers new functionality to conventional remotes, including:

-- Ability to locate misplaced remote controls
-- Common command set for true interoperability eliminating the need for multiple remote controls
-- Control of equipment stored almost anywhere, including behind wood and glass doors or in other rooms
-- Enhanced user interfaces and advanced display capabilities
-- New interactive capabilities and the ability to navigate content on the remote's LCD
-- Over-the-air upgrades and programmability

"ZigBee Remote Control offers electronics manufacturers a global standard to simplify control of a wide variety of CE devices and improve their customer experience," said Bob Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance. "Consumers will enjoy new conveniences that give them more flexibility in the way they use their CE devices for years to come."

The ZigBee Remote Control profile gives CE manufacturers a defined standard to create interoperable products offering advanced communications between devices and remote controls, regardless of manufacturer. The profile is currently available to all ZigBee Alliance members.

The Alliance has made rapid progress with the ZigBee RF4CE specification this year. The specification was made available to ZigBee Alliance members in March, golden unit platforms were certified in June and the specification was made available for public download in September. The rapid progress demonstrates strong interest from the market as CE manufacturers seek to integrate innovative technology in their products that deliver new features and a convenient experience for their customers.

ZigBee Remote Control - The standard for advanced remote controls

ZigBee Remote Control is the global standard for advanced and easy-to-use RF remotes that delivers non-line-of-sight operation, two-way communication, longer range of use and extended battery life for a variety of consumer electronic (CE) devices including HDTV, home theater equipment, set-top boxes and other audio equipment. ZigBee Remote Control is the public application profile for the ZigBee RF4CE specification. For more information, visit: www.zigbee.org/remotecontrol.

www.zigbee.org