Biometrics find their way into the remote control market

We have long noted how biometrics are slowly working their way into the popular consumer market — most noticeably with fingerprint door access, which we even saw advertised in the Sky Mall catalogue this weekend. (The Wall Street Journal recently profiled people who use finger-scanners and other security devices to protect their wine cellars.) With the door opened, both literally and metaphorically, biometrics are now working their way into other home products. According to Channel Insider, the latest trend in television-watching technology is remote controls that use fingerprint technology and voice recognition to personalize the channel-surfing experience.

“The future of remote controls emerged during a panel discussion attempting to root out the ‘Google of the home,’” Channel Insider reported, pointing out that as cable television completes its connection to the internet, with more archived and interactive data, the common remote control commands are unsuited for searching through it all. One solution, offered by Fremont, California-based Logitech, is to use voice activation and recognition software to allow the user to control an entire suite of home electronics, including the lighting. (The remotes are the product of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania-based Intrigue Technologies, which Logitech acquired in 2004.) Eventually, search software will allow the user to simply call out what he wants, and all of his componants will try to find it for him. “And that, in turn, means that future Harmony remotes will require some sort of IP connection.” As for the fingerprinting, they will be used to personalize favorites and settings, much like the driver’s seat in luxury automobiles.