It’s the first press event at CES and time to tease you before our big announcement on the 7th so here’s a sneak peek of something about the Boxee Box that we didn’t show off at the Boxee Beta Event in December.
The Boxee Box Remote – It’s got a QWERTY keyboard! When we started designing the Boxee Box remote we wanted something simple like the 6-button Apple Remote. As we began adding features to the Beta it became obvious that for people to really get the most out of the box it was going to need to do more than just point and click. Rather than subject anyone to another on-screen keyboard we decided the Boxee Box should benefit from a full QWERTY keyboard like you might have on a mobile phone. So here it is – the first drawing shows Astro’s original idea for the piece while the flat image below gives you a better idea of the near-final layout on the keyboard.
Stay tuned to the blog for posts later in the week detailing more hardware details about the Boxee Box by D-Link, more content partners, and another trick or two up our sleeve. If you’re at the show, make sure to meet us on the show floor or at any of the other press events at the show.
–Andrew
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Please, oh please, sell this on its own with a USB receiver. For those of us with our own boxee boxes, this is one sweet remote. (No, I don't plan on buying a boxee box, sue to it not meeting my storage needs. [My homebrew box has a 1 TB raid that is 3/4ths full] )
Bonus points if you can wedge in a small trackball mouse (like on the Nexus One or HTC Hero phones) so it can be a single point of control.
I have to second Ryan's suggestion to sell the remote standalone. I would love to use it with my current media center PC, a Meerkat Ion.
Hi Ryan,
What do you mean by your own boxee box. something you built. (Sorry, I am new to the boxee world)
Thanks,
J
Yeah, some of us have already built our own mini-PCs to use with Boxee. However, if they can keep to that $200 price tag, I just may buy one for the hell of it.
T
I also would buy this remote on its own. Please sell it individually. If it's Bluetooth, that would be awesome also.
it does not have bluetooth, it's using RF.
but will be sold independently with a small dongle for your computer.
Why did Boxee not choose go with the new ULP (Ultra Low Power) Bluetooth low energy standard for this remote?
Using the new ULP (Ultra Low Power) Bluetooth low energy standard should have saved the manufacturing cost as you would not have to include a dongle when sold seperatly, and we would be able to use it on all computers and devices that supports Bluetooth.
Not only that, but if the Boxee Boxee had a integrated Bluetooth reciever then it would be possible to control it any cell-phone and home automation device available without going over a 802.11 WiFi network.
So why not just adopt the Bluetooth Core Specification Version 4.0 standard?
I love the design. I'd also favor it using Bluetooth. I currently have a PS3 remote and am very happy with it!
the Boxee Remote will also be sold separately by D-Link, so if you have Boxee running on another device you'll still be able to enjoy that qwerty goodness
@avner, one question: can the remote be used with the AppleTV?
your wish is our command
just one word — – -awesome !!!!
The "enter" button could easily be replaced by a Blackberry-esque clickable "pearl" ball.
Incidentally, this is EXACTLY what the PS3 remote should have been
If you sold one that worked with PS3, I'd buy it in a second.
It'd need a "PS" button, though
This is so awesome, I can't wait to see this when I stop by the booth!
I second Ryan's request to sell this on its own. I have two Boxee systems (one running Boxee Beta, which is so hawt), and would love to buy two of these remotes.
looking forward to seeing you at the show.
you will be able to purchase the remote separately.
Hi Avner,
Great work!
Good move, going into hardware, and doing it so well.
This looks great!
Few questions.
When can we see it in Israel?
Any word on pricing?
What platforms will It suport (apart from Boxee it self, can i use it with Ubuntu? Windows? Mac?)
There's a little thumb-qwerty keyboard by Logitech that i've been eyeballing for a while to go with my living room machine (which runs boxee on both Win 7 and Ubuntu). But the Logitech gadget costs more that 100 US$ and here in Israel more thatn twice that price.
If this thing goes for around 50$ and works well with my computer i'd grab it in a sec.
Plus i'd like to join the choir and sing for a pointing device (track ball/touch pad) and Bluetooth support.
Oh! You know what would be even greater? stick TWO touch pads, one on each end of the remote, so we can use two thumbs for multitouch gestures. Then you're realy in gadget paradise realm
Guess we have enough to expect for in the next gen, right?
great stuff! wish you the best of luck on hardware deals. would sell great at best buy
any reason why a slider keyboard wasn't used?
F'n nice! I really do hope it's Bluetooth and not point-n-shoot… And I too hope it's available as a standalone component. Can't wait to see/hear more.
it's using RF rather than Bluetooth, and it will be available separately
I WANT IT NOW!!!!! This is awesome looking remote. I want it to work with my Mac Mini BOXEE BOX!
Please Please!!!
Should make it a slid out keyboard like a phone.
With the keys on the other side, it would make it uncomfortable to hold in your hand?
Love the concept, will buy a boxee box when it comes out!
Looks great, though one question. How comfortable is the remote if most of your fingers are rubbing against the keyboard?
I'm not a fan of movable parts, but what about using a similar mechanism to most of today's cell phones with a sliding cover (which'll hold the main controls) that'll reveal the full keyboard underneath?
I might do a mockup myself (just for fun.)
Keep up the great work!
Beautiful design it could have perfectly been Apple's.
thanks! that's probably the biggest compliment you could give in this space. Astro Studios that did the design are amazing.
Honestly this is a far BETTER design than anything Apple has come up with. Steve's button-phobia has crippled quite a few of his devices. I'm ecstatic to see that you guys haven't made the same mistakes. Kudos on thinking outside the… er… box.
Yep, I think this will be my first purchase of 2010.
That looks gorgeous. If the final incarnation of Boxee gets mythtv support I would pick up two of these bad boys on launch day and scrap my tivo and appletv.
work with AppleTV???? PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!
The ATV has an IR receiver, but this remote is RF. Hopefully Boxee is forward-thinking enough to open-source the RF receiver drivers so that us ATV modders can get it working. I'd replace my chintzy ATV remote with this one in a heartbeat.
I agree with others, you should sell this separately too – simply becuase you'll make money to support your other efforts.
Since it seems 'near final', that suggests there's time for a change?
If so, can I suggest not using Text on the main buttons: Enter, and Menu. Instead use icons. There is absolutely no need for text on those buttons. If its not obvious at a glance it will be within a second.
It would also mean less hurdles for non-English speaking markets (less keys to get variations of etc, initial usefulness regardless of language).
Personally I find that, without any previous discovery, icons without text is much more difficult to completely understand its function. Perhaps icons may help to cross language barriers but could confuse even more users unless they're perfect or the user reads their instruction manual (and who reads that?)
Key placement is crucial too, of course. But I see no harm in using text on buttons to explain what they do.
I agree that its useful for the very first time you ever use it. The second time and every other time after that it is redundant.
Sometimes you need to make accommodations for that 'first use' and I believe this is not one of them.
While I state 'language' as one benefit, I really feel it makes for a better visual design.
All in all, this is a very very minor point.
I hope this will also be available in Canada
yes. d-link has strong distribution in Canada, and we have a growing user base there, so I am sure it will be a priority.
Don't know if you guys considered this idea, but it would be neat if there was a basic accelerometer in there that sensed "down" and would only turn on the keyboard when it's facing up.
Accelerometer!? Why not just a use a mercury switch?
It has mercury in it? :p
Great idea, but I think it needs a simple flip cover along the long side to hide the keyboard when not in use.
I would agree with this. A simple cover might be necessary so you don't accidentally press other keys while operating the remote.
I would also agree that something to either (a) cover while not in use or (b) slide out keyboard would be nicer to prevent accidental "adasfef" while navigating around the menus.
This may make my Boxee Box purchase eminent
If the design isn't finalized I would suggest moving the "menu" key to the far left to allow the keyboard to be more centered than shifted to the left
Looks great! Some ideas though. If not already done, you should lower the keyboard so the remote can lay flat. Also please mind that some users will want to have an extended keyboard layout to write swedish/french/whatever, so some extra button by the "P" would be nice. Maybe you could move the arrow buttons to the front so they can be pressed with some other finger than the thumb.
This remote looks cool but seems to have terrible functionality. I really hope the boxee guys actually tested a real prototype in their hands and haven't just released concept renderings before getting a prototype.
When you hold a remote that size your fingers rest against the back. They have push against the back of the case so you can create enough force to press the buttons on the top. It seems like with this if you held it naturally your fingers would be against the keyboard keys when trying to press the top buttons and would press in both sets at once. It will feel unsettling in your hand and will be annoying when the bottom button makes something happen in the interface.
I hope they've solved these issues somehow or this will be a very shitty remote to actually use.
I really hope it'll be available in EU and if it's also sold separately, it's a double win
it will and it will. but no date on Europe distribution
I can confirm after using the Boxee remote all night long during press demos at CES Unveiled that it's fantastic. Holding the remote naturally there were no issues of accidentally hitting the keyboard when it was underneath. Using the keyboard to type was a dream, and very similar to typing on a mobile phone keyboard like the Sidekick.
– Andrew from Boxee
Any chance this will work with Boxee on my Mac Mini?
Looks fantastic
Cheers
T
I'm missing volume keys for easy volume control. Also "prev/next" buttons might have been nice to easily control music/video playback in playlists while doing other stuff with boxee (or maybe also XBMC – open the application area to a broader audience/market).
I'd also be happier with a bluetooth version of the remote, thinking about having one remote shared among several boxes. Imagine a setup with two or more boxee boxes, one in the kitchen, one in the living room and one in the bedroom and you're carrying one remote with you and sync playback of the various boxes along you change locations in your house only by the presence of the remote and maybe one keypress (sync button). I've seen this for a different media/home-center solution (can't remember the name – maybe linuxMce).
found it – it was linuxMCE. Check out this video around 16:10 for some more inspiration for functionality, not design(!)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=217602560…
Of course you can watch the full movie for some more inspiration at some points that could also apply for boxee.
Thanks Andrew, in that case this looks like a really cool concept. I'm looking forward to playing with one in person.
are there plans to make it available in the UK?
we don't have a date set for distribution in the UK, but I know D-Link want to distribute the Boxee Box globally
"…more content partners, and another trick or two up our sleeve…" – more interesting to me than any fancy remote. I'm a boxee fan and part of the beta. But in order to really get rid of cables for good, I need you guys to bring on:
a) Premium content (such as latest HBO / ShowTime shows)
b) Live sports and other premium content
Note that I don't mind to pay for some of that content.
In essence, I know you have some of the best investors in the business, but you also have a super ambitious goal and a crazy competitive market to win. Forget about all those early adaptors, you guys should go main-stream. So go get a really serious and strategic round of 30-40M and sign those major biz dev deals ahead of Apple!
i agree that content (and premium content most of all) is key.
a $30-$40M round will help, but not solve it. the media companies are trying to figure out a way not to disrupt too much a business model that generates billions of dollars for them.
we are working diligently to try and make them comfortable about working with Boxee. will take time, but we are patient.
Avner – thanks for the meaningful response. Another issue that I feel may be important in the long run is "programming" — in the sense that there will be still merit for 'seasons' and the broadcast time of content. At least for a while, as people still watch cable TV. One would want to know when the new season of Dexter begins, or get breaking news events at the top of the queue – these are probably his/her conversation topics at the office tomorrow.
In any case – you guys are doing an amazing job. If you'd like to discuss any of my feedback or how to integrate gaming into your service – feel free to send me an email.
Best,
Asi
Will one be able to use this remote as a standard keyboard in other non-Boxee applications, such as Safari or Firefox for surfing? and will the final remote have a TAB key as well?
Love to be able to get more than one of theis remote to also use in other media center applications like Microsoft MCE, MediaPortal, and XBMC, however for that the remote device drivers has to either present it as a MCE remote and standard keyboard or have special software that lets you map it as such, will it?
btw, I am really curious if the Boxee Box is based on the NVIDIA Ion platform and if so is it the first or second generation Ion? No offence but love to be able to run XBMC on it too, so question is if it will?
I have to admit that I'm really impressed with the design. I'm almost sold on the Boxee Box. If only the software would support the Slingbox: I could have access to web content, movies, music and videos from my NAS and TV channels from my SlingBox. That would be a perfect world !
Thanks guys for pushing such a wonderful product. Good luck at CES.
Marc
Will Hulu work on the Boxee box? That is, is the hardware sufficient to run high quality video encumbered by Flash?
Forgot to ask if the Boxee Box will still have an integrated IR (infrared) reciever so that it will be able to recieve IR commands from a standard Universal Remote like for example one from Logitech Harmony series or Philips Pronto?
Yes I would like to know this too!
I would also love to know the answer to this question since it will either make or break my decision to buy a Boxee Box since I have a Harmony One that only uses IR.
Great design for a remote, but what would have been even better if it had integrated a three-axis accelerometer and gyroscope like the motion sensors in the Wii Remote so that this remote could also be used as a wireless mouse.
Even with integrated motion sensors the Boxee remote would of course not have enough battey power to be used as a input device for gaming like the Wii Remote, but it would make an excellent mouse to complement the keyboard, just like Gyration's Media Center Remote featuring MotionSense.
Mouse function is needed for using it in a webbrowser for surfing and such.
Does it have a sensor to recognize which direction (up or down) it's facing? And of course then toggling which side of the remote is actually being used.
I'm thinking something similar to the iPhone either using a light sensor(since your hand would cover it) or accelerometer.
Myself and other Swedish and Scandinavian users want to know if and when we can get access to Spotify, Headweb, and Voddler content in Boxee? and what about plugins for Swedish channels like SVT Play and TV4 Play?
Currently all premium content in Boxee like Hulu, Netflix, and Pandora are only available to users in the United States of America. Plugins for Spotify and Headweb, and Swedish channels such as SVT Play and TV4 Play are already available in Plex, which right now have Sweden as the country with highest number of users per capita for their media center application.
When will Boxee begin courting European content providers to be able to entertain us Europeans?
Lovely looking remote, I will definitly buy one or two if they will be sold seperatly and it works with XBMC Media Center.
So my question to Boxee is if you guys will release cross-platform device drivers and a open source library for this remote and its dongle so that support for it can be implemented into XBMC on all platforms?
I use XBMC on Linux, Mac, and Windows / Bruce
As 'Mastermind' asked earlier – will the Boxee Box have an integrated IR (infrared) reciever so that it will be able to recieve IR commands from a standard Universal Remote like the Logitechs Harmony?
I love the design but I would like the option to use my Harmony as I do for my TVAMPPopcorn Hour (want to replace with a BB!)Cable box.
It really looks gorgeous.
Please tell me that the Boxee Box will be available worldwide, not just the US, PLEASE!
I love to see more pay-per-view subscription based premium content as video on demand rentals in Boxee from providers and their subsidiaries companies who are already online digital content delivery friendly, like CinemaNow, Blockbuster, Movielink, Voddler, and Amazon Video On Demand.
Content from these providers are already available on the PS3, Xbox 360, TiVo, Windows Media Center and set-top-boxes like the Ruku player, so I do not see why would these companies not want to have another distrobution platform source in Boxee, how hard is it really to convince companies like those to make deals with Boxee?
Great hardware + great software. I was pretty much sold before the news of the remote, now it's a done deal.
Beautiful … I'd love to see a version with a backlit LCD that beamed content information back to it though … Since its RF, you'll not need to be in the same room as the TV and computer to use it, so it would be really awesome if it could scroll song and artist information, or provide movie feedback, song lyrics, hell even subtitles … Just a thought …
that's a great idea. maybe it means a more advanced (and expensive) version of the remote should be made available
Awesome, I'd definitely shell out the extra bucks for something that cool!
This looks great but will this work as well in the Windows world when not running BOXEE? I mean, can I use it to open up other WIN programs and use the pad as a mouse. because if it did, I am first in line!
thanks Team Boxee and D-Link
fortunately my appletv died a few weeks ago and I decided not to replace it.
also would love this remote standalone.
thanks @boxee still feels like the holidays
I want one sooooooooooooooooooooo bad
Damn that's fucking sick! What's the price for this and the ½ box thingy seen on Vimeo?
can't wait!! I'll one of the first in line to order …. if you can ship internationally. Tokyo, please ! I also hope you can ramp up production quickly when it's ready. I'd hate to be on a 6mo waiting list or something…
Also want one for my MythTV box.
I can't find the words to express how friggin' excited I am for this one!
Given the quality of this remote, how 'bout putting a full web browser in Boxee?
i haven't been this excited since seeing flasher girl video http://bit.ly/sportsknockers
Is there a locking system for when remote is flipped? So my fingers or whatever the bottom side is rubbing against will not mess with navigation. Does the system know which side of the remote is being used and turns off the other side?
I can't wait to get my Boxee Box even more now. Good riddance WDTV! hmm.. does anyone know if you can stream video from one Boxee Box to another? like can my friend go on his Boxee Box and watch movies that i have on my hdd connected to MY Boxee Box?
will this remote work w/ appleTV?
Remote looks GREAT! I hope this can be used with other 'front-ends'!
One question – where is the volume control on the remote?
Impressive Remote. Making it Bluetooth opens lots of doors for sales. Shift the QWERTY keyboard to the left and put a trackball/touchpad on the right. Also, I'd patent this immediately!
There's one feature that the Boxee box must have. It must learn other remotes just like Apple TV does. This is handy because I do not want my children to play with the Boxee remote (they'll destroy it in few days
). They will use any cheap universal remote and the Boxee Remote will be MINE 
oh man. you guys are amazing. i'm so psyched about the remote working with other devices. I just want to say that thanks to boxee, i am cable tv free and have been so for a year now. keep up the good work!
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