- A new reference remote control for Google TV has appeared
- It is the work of Ohsung Electronics and Epishine.
- The remote control is powered entirely from the interior light.
In addition to TVs with Google TV built in, we’re seeing a growing number of Google TV devices appear, both from Google and third parties, and now one of Google’s partners has made a Google TV remote control that draws its power from indoor light.
This comes from Ohsung Electronics in South Korea (via 9to5Google), and is what’s called a reference device: something you can’t go out and buy yet, but which may well inform the design and features of future products.
According to Swedish company Epishine, which supplied the solar cell, the remote “never runs out of power” thanks to the solar technology inside, assuming, presumably, that you’re not watching movies and shows in the dark all the time.
There are solar cells on either side of the remote control to capture any available light, meaning the device continues to receive power even when upside down. There is actually no battery inside: the remote control works solely with the interior light.
Good for users and the environment.
How current Google TV remotes are powered depends on the device, but both the Google TV Streamer and the older Chromecast with Google TV have batteries inside the remotes that need to be replaced from time to time.
That can lead to a frustrating search through drawers and closets for spare batteries if the remote goes off mid-watch; although, pro tip, you can also control Google TV devices using the Google TV app for Android or iOS.
A remote control like this would eliminate that frustration, and of course, it’s also much better for the environment since you won’t have to throw away used batteries. Epishine says these remotes can also be lighter and cheaper.
There’s actually nothing bad to say about this idea, and I’m all for it, so let’s hope we start seeing remotes like this sooner rather than later. Over time, you may even be able to purchase it separately from the streaming device you choose.
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