Wi-Fi universal remote returns, now with ESPN branding

Remember the tvCompass SR1500, that Windows CE-powered, Wi-Fi universal remote that controls all your A/V components and surfs the Web? Well, it's back, this time with an ESPN label slapped on it—along with a $300 price tag.Now called the ESPN Ultimate Remote (subtle, no?), the reincarnated SR1500 comes with most of the features we saw back in January, including a 2.2-inch QVGA display and the ability to download control codes for your components (up to 18 at a time) over Wi-Fi, no PC required.

The wand also downloads its own programming guide—no need to turn on the tube to see what's on—and boasts its own click365-branded xHTML Web browser, complete with links to news headlines, ABC News, WSJ.com, Amazon, Facebook, and the like. You can even send text messages via e-mail or SMS.

What's appears to be missing, however, is killer content from ESPN—which one might expect, given that this thing is called the ESPN Ultimate Remote.

Verizon Wireless subscribers, for example, can get a pretty sweet Mobile ESPN app on their handsets with a top-notch interface, real-time scores and stats, and videos.

Unfortunately, the screenshots of the ESPN widget on the Ultimate Remote look comparatively weak. The documentation promises scores, news, access to fantasy leagues, and Gamecast scoring, but the plain-text screens aren't all that inspiring, especially next to the cool animated interface on VZW's Mobile ESPN app. Maybe I'll be more impressed after some hands-on time, but from what I've seen…meh.

And $300 for a universal remote? Pretty steep, considering that the swankiest of A/V universal remotes (not the touch panels that control entire homes, mind you) top out at about $250. And no, those remotes don't come with their own Web browsers, but hey...I've got a phone for that.

Anyway, don't be surprised if you see the tvCompass SR1500 popping up elsewhere, with different branding.