GlideTV bows unusual HTPC trackpad remote
updated 04:15 pm EDT, Tue October 13, 2009
GlideTV marries AV, computer controls
Catering explicitly to home theater computers, GlideTV today produced an unusual controller known as the Navigator. The bowl-shaped peripheral has a trackpad for mouse pointing but is surrounded by AV controls and a directional pad that ease navigating through common apps. It can steer through Front Row and iTunes on Macs, Windows Media Center, and platform-independent apps like Boxee or SageTV.
The system uses a USB-attached RF wireless adapter and so will work on a core level with nearly any device that recognizes USB input, including consoles like the PS3. For now, Windows users get the most features and have shortcuts to an on-screen keyboard as well as a button that queues up searches for Amazon VOD, Google, Hulu, Netflix and YouTube.
GlideTV says the Navigator should be on sale today and costs $149.
