The remote control is without a doubt one of the most useful devices ever created, since it allows us to activate certain features of the various appliances and electronic products we've got around the house without having to get up and press the buttons on their cases. Given its success, most devices that appear on the market these days are accompanied by such a product, since, after all, every manufacturer wants to provide both functionality and comfort during the use of its products.

This situation has led to a different problem, namely that of the overabundance of such remote control solutions around the house. Typically, all of us have at least two or three remotes on our coffee tables (I, for one, have no less than six, pertaining to the TV, DVD player, satellite receiver, audio system, AC system and, last but not least, the air purifier), and this can prove to be too much for some people.

This is exactly the reason why Universal Remote Controls were invented, since these complex control systems can actually control several different types of devices, and, more importantly, do so concomitantly, allowing you to start a certain “activity” rather than separate devices. Things have evolved a lot since the first such product was developed (by none other than Apple's co-founder, Steve Wozniak), modern universal remotes often having pretty much the same size and form factor as their single-device counterparts, while providing a much more enhanced level of functionality.

And one of the most interesting and advanced products of this type released over the course of 2008 is Logitech's Harmony One model, which combines a very high level of versatility and access to a huge database of control codes with an exquisite look that will most likely impress even the most demanding users who want only the best for their homes.