The remote control industry is constantly evolving, and new technologies are emerging to make life easier for smart home automation enthusiasts. Two of the most popular remote controls currently on the market are Anymote and Harmony. In this article, we will compare these two remote controls and explore their features, functionalities, and user experience.
What are Anymote and Harmony?
Anymote is a smart IR remote control that allows you to control all your home devices with a single remote. It has a sleek, minimalist design that fits comfortably in your hand, and it is compatible with over 900,000 devices, including TVs, set-top boxes, air conditioners, and more. Anymote works with both iOS and Android, and it supports voice control through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Harmony, on the other hand, is a universal remote control that allows you to control all your home entertainment devices with one remote. It has a refined, intuitive user interface that allows you to navigate seamlessly between your favorite channels and apps. Harmony is compatible with over 270,000 devices, and it features voice control through Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri.
Both Anymote and Harmony offer advanced features that make them stand out from traditional remote controls. For example, Anymote allows you to create custom macros that automate complex tasks, such as turning on your TV, switching to your favorite channel, and adjusting the volume, all with a single button press. Harmony, on the other hand, offers a unique feature called “Activities,” which allows you to create custom scenes that turn on multiple devices and set them to the right inputs and settings for a specific activity, such as watching a movie or playing a game.
Key features and functionalities of Anymote
Anymote has a range of impressive features and functionalities, including:
- Compatibility with over 900,000 devices, making it easy to control all your home devices with a single remote.
- Sleek, minimalist design that fits comfortably in your hand.
- Support for both iOS and Android.
- Voice control through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
- Support for custom macros and scenes, allowing you to automate complex routines with ease.
- Intuitive user interface that makes it easy to navigate between your favorite channels and apps.
In addition to these impressive features, Anymote also offers:
- Compatibility with smart home devices, such as Philips Hue lights and Nest thermostats, allowing you to control your entire home with a single remote.
- Integration with popular streaming services, such as Netflix and Hulu, allowing you to easily access your favorite shows and movies.
Furthermore, Anymote offers advanced customization options, including:
- The ability to create custom buttons and layouts, allowing you to tailor the remote to your specific needs.
- Integration with IFTTT, allowing you to create custom applets that automate tasks across multiple devices.
Key features and functionalities of Harmony
Harmony also has a range of impressive features and functionalities, including:
- Compatibility with over 270,000 devices, making it easy to control all your home entertainment devices with one remote.
- Refined, intuitive user interface that allows you to navigate seamlessly between your favorite channels and apps, with support for custom icons and themes.
- Voice control through Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri, allowing you to control your devices with your voice.
- Support for custom macros and scenes, allowing you to automate complex routines with ease.
- Integration with Harmony Hub, allowing you to control devices from different rooms in your house.
In addition to these impressive features, Harmony also offers:
- Compatibility with smart home devices, such as lights, thermostats, and locks, allowing you to control your entire home with one remote or voice command.
- Advanced customization options, including the ability to create custom buttons and commands, and the ability to assign different functions to different buttons on your remote.
Furthermore, Harmony offers seamless integration with popular streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, allowing you to easily access your favorite shows and movies with just a few clicks or voice commands.
Compatibility of Anymote with different devices
Anymote is compatible with a wide range of devices, including TV, DVD, Blu-ray, soundbars, set-top boxes, projectors, air conditioners, fans, heaters, and more. Anymote supports over 900,000 devices, making it one of the most versatile remote controls on the market.
One of the key features of Anymote is its ability to learn and adapt to new devices. This means that even if your device is not listed in the supported devices list, you can still use Anymote to control it. All you need to do is point your device’s remote control at Anymote and press the corresponding button. Anymote will then learn the command and store it for future use.
In addition to its compatibility with a wide range of devices, Anymote also offers advanced customization options. You can create custom macros and sequences to automate complex tasks, such as turning on multiple devices and switching to the correct input. Anymote also allows you to create custom buttons and layouts, so you can design a remote control that suits your specific needs.
Compatibility of Harmony with different devices
Harmony is compatible with a wide range of entertainment devices, including TVs, cable and satellite boxes, receivers, DVD and Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and more. Harmony supports over 270,000 devices, making it a versatile remote control for home entertainment devices.
In addition to its compatibility with a wide range of entertainment devices, Harmony also works with smart home devices such as lights, thermostats, and locks. With the Harmony app, you can control all your devices from your smartphone or tablet, making it easy to manage your home entertainment and smart home devices from one place.
Setup process for Anymote
Setting up Anymote is a straightforward process that involves installing the Anymote app on your smartphone or tablet and pairing it with the device you want to control. Anymote supports both IR and Wi-Fi control, so you can control your devices from anywhere in your home.
Once you have installed the Anymote app and paired it with your device, you can customize your remote control layout to suit your preferences. You can add or remove buttons, change the order of buttons, and even create macros to perform multiple actions with a single button press. Anymote also allows you to create multiple remote control layouts for different rooms or devices, making it easy to switch between them as needed.
Setup process for Harmony
Setting up Harmony is also a straightforward process that involves installing the Harmony app on your smartphone or tablet and pairing it with your home entertainment system. Harmony supports both IR and Bluetooth control, allowing you to control your devices from anywhere in your home.
Additionally, Harmony offers a feature called “Activities” which allows you to control multiple devices with just one button press. For example, you can create an activity called “Movie Night” which will turn on your TV, sound system, and dim your lights to create the perfect movie-watching atmosphere. You can also customize these activities to fit your specific needs and preferences.
User interface comparison: Anymote Vs Harmony
The user interface of Anymote is remarkably simple, with all your devices displayed on the home screen. You can easily create custom macros and scenes to automate complex routines, and the app supports voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Harmony, on the other hand, has a more refined, intuitive user interface that allows you to navigate seamlessly between your favorite channels and apps. The app supports custom icons and themes, allowing you to personalize your remote control to your liking.
Another advantage of Anymote’s user interface is its ability to learn from your usage patterns. The app can suggest frequently used devices and actions, making it easier for you to access them quickly. Additionally, Anymote’s interface is highly responsive, with minimal lag time between button presses and device responses.
Harmony’s user interface, on the other hand, offers a unique feature called “Activities.” This allows you to create custom activities, such as “Watch TV” or “Play Video Games,” that automatically turn on the necessary devices and switch to the correct inputs. This feature eliminates the need to manually switch between devices and inputs, making your entertainment experience more seamless and enjoyable.
User experience comparison: Anymote Vs Harmony
Anymote provides a seamless user experience that is designed to simplify your life. The app allows you to control all your home devices with a single remote control, and it supports custom macros and scenes, making it easy to automate complex routines.
Harmony also provides a seamless user experience that is designed to enhance your home entertainment system. The app allows you to control all your home entertainment devices with one remote control, and it supports custom icons and themes, allowing you to personalize your remote control to your liking.
Pricing comparison: Anymote Vs Harmony
Anymote is priced at $69.99, making it a relatively affordable option for smart home automation enthusiasts. Harmony, on the other hand, is priced at $129.99, making it a more expensive option.
Pros and cons of using Anymote
Some of the pros of using Anymote include:
- Compatibility with over 900,000 devices.
- Support for custom macros and scenes.
- Sleek, minimalist design that fits comfortably in your hand.
Some of the cons of using Anymote include:
- No support for Apple HomeKit.
- No support for Z-wave and Zigbee devices.
- No cloud-based backup for settings and macros.
Pros and cons of using Harmony
Some of the pros of using Harmony include:
- Compatibility with over 270,000 devices.
- Refined, intuitive user interface with support for custom icons and themes.
- Integration with Harmony Hub, allowing you to control devices from different rooms in your house.
Some of the cons of using Harmony include:
- More expensive than Anymote.
- No support for Z-wave and Zigbee devices.
- No support for some niche devices.
Which remote control is better suited for smart home automation?
Both Anymote and Harmony are great options for smart home automation enthusiasts. Anymote is the more affordable option, while Harmony is the more feature-rich option. If you’re looking for a versatile remote control that can handle a wide range of devices, Anymote is the way to go. If you’re more interested in home entertainment systems and want a refined, intuitive user interface, Harmony is the better option.
The role of voice assistants in remote control technology: A comparison between Anymote and Harmony.
Both Anymote and Harmony support voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. However, Harmony also supports voice control through Siri, making it a better option if you’re an Apple user. Anymote, on the other hand, doesn’t support Apple HomeKit, making it less attractive to Apple users.
Customer reviews: What do users have to say about Anymote?
Users of Anymote generally praise the remote control for its versatility and affordability. They especially appreciate the support for custom macros and scenes, which allows them to automate complex routines with ease.
Customer reviews: What do users have to say about Harmony?
Users of Harmony generally praise the remote control for its advanced features and intuitive user interface. They appreciate the ability to create custom icons and themes, which allows them to personalize their remote control to their liking.
Conclusion: Which remote control should you choose?
Choosing between Anymote and Harmony ultimately comes down to your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a versatile remote control that can handle a wide range of devices, Anymote is a great option. If you’re more interested in home entertainment systems and want a refined, intuitive user interface, Harmony is the better option. Both remote controls offer excellent features and functionalities, and they are sure to simplify your life as a smart home automation enthusiast.