sonos lcd touch screen keypad brands

In this post, I’ll show you the five best remotes for your Sonos speakers. And I’ll throw in a solid budget option if you aren’t ready to go all in just yet.

It controls over 500,000 infrared and Bluetooth devices via Wi-Fi, so it’s likely compatible with all of your home entertainment equipment in addition to your Sonos speakers. You can also use it to control up to60 devices like your TV, cable box, other popular soundbars, your DVD player, projector, streaming boxes, and even Philips Hue lights.

The remote has customizable activity buttons that let you quickly access favorite channels, inputs, or streaming services. You can create an activity like “Watch Netflix” that automatically opens your favorite streaming player, turns on your Sonos soundbar, dims the lights, and launches Netflix for example.

Ah, the Harmony Elite. To quote a recent review I wrote on the Elite, there are 10 reasons that this mature, battle-tested remote just rocks. From its cool color LCD touchscreen to haptic feedback to the ability to integrate with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control, this is really the best remote you can buy today.

Best of all? In addition to your Sonos speakers, you can also control your entire home entertainment setup and smart home stuff too. What’s more, Harmony’s support for “Activities” lets you integrate Sonos with other speakers such as your soundbar, home theater, and any other Bluetooth speakers you might own.

One for all Streamer is the easy way to control your Sonos soundbar and two additional devices. With four shortcut keys to your favorite streaming service, it’s never been easier to enjoy your favorite shows and music. The learning remote is straightforward to set up, and can copy functions directly from your original Sonos remote.

This remote will control IR devices only. This basically means it will work with Sonos sound bars but not Sonos Wifi-dependent speakers. It will also not work with RF devices like Amazon Firestick. Still, if you only want to control a few devices that include a Sonos soundbar, this is a very affordable option.

If you are interested in controlling your Sonos speakers via a wall switch in your home or apartment, the Lutron Caseta is an affordable way to go. This is a very popular option and it will let you adjust and control music from anywhere in your abode where you install it. It fully integrates with Sonos and customers report ease of setup with very few problems.

You will need a Lutron bridge (sold separately or as part of a bundle) to get this to work with Sonos. Once you have the bridge set up you can buy additional remotes for lights etc.  One bridge supports up to 75 Caseta devices so you can personalize your home and expand at your pace.

TJ Reishus has a wonderful demo of how to set up Lutron Smart Bridge with the Sonos app.  He moves fast, but this is exactly how you do it. I agree! Absolutely, genius!

The Brilliant Smart Home Control Panel is the perfect way to control your Sonos speakers, as well as lights and other smart devices in your home. With everyone at home able to be an in-wall DJ, the only thing you’ll argue with your family over is who gets to play their music next.

Brilliant Smart Home Control (1-Switch Panel) — Alexa Built-In & Compatible with Ring, Sonos, Hue, Google Nest, Wemo, SmartThings, Apple HomeKit — In-Wall Touchscreen Control for Lights, Music, & More

EASY SMART HOME CONTROL FOR EVERYONE: Brilliant touchscreen panels with built-in Alexa make it easy for everyone at home to control popular smart devices, lighting, cameras, locks, thermostats, intercom, scenes and more by simply replacing a light switch.

REPLACES A 1-GANG LIGHT SWITCH PANEL & REQUIRES NEUTRAL & GROUND WIRES: This 1-Switch Panel installs in a standard 1-gang electrical box. Includes a 5" LCD touchscreen, a built-in camera with privacy shutter and a built-in motion sensor.

Here is a comparison table that shows the major features of all my top three best remotes for Sonos speakers side-by-side. These are my universal hard remote picks. The differences between the keypads are fairly obvious.

Custom Activities such as “Good Morning” that turns on your lights, opens your blinds, starts the coffee maker and begins playing a specific Sonos station

Custom Activities such as “Good Morning” that turns on your lights, opens your blinds, starts the coffee maker and begins playing a specific Sonos station

Custom Activities such as “Good Morning” that turns on your lights, opens your blinds, starts the coffee maker and begins playing a specific Sonos station

Custom Activities such as “Good Morning” that turns on your lights, opens your blinds, starts the coffee maker and begins playing a specific Sonos station

If you can afford it, treat yourself to the Sofabaton X1. I use this remote to control my Sonos speakers, my Philips Hue lights, several streamers, as well as my home theater. And I love it for all of the above reasons.

What I like best personally about using x1 with Sonos is the Alexa integration. I can just say, “Alexa play Rock music.” And it automatically plays my Rock playlist on my Sonos speakers in the desired rooms at the desired volume.

Are remotes like x1 and the Harmony Elite too expensive to justify the cost?  What features are important to you when trying to control Sonos with a remote?  What is your take on the wall mounts?  If you really wanted to, you could install a few wall mounts in addition to using the X1 or Harmony remote for the ultimate in Sonos control.

At CEDIA 2017, the Dana Innovations brand added a premium tier to its selection of iPad wall- and tabletop-mounting systems. iPort also unveiled its first on-wall battery-operated Sonos keypad controller.

iPort’s latest mounting systems, called Luxeport, turn iPads into touchscreen home-control interfaces when other companies’ home-control apps are installed. The Luxeport products will be available later this year through custom-AV installers and the company’s web site. The products will be followed sometime in mid 2018 with versions that add Wi-Fi hard buttons, which can be programmed to operate specific functions or scenes.

Another way to control a Sonos system is with the $100 on-wall Sonos xPRESS keypad, which uses Wi-Fi to control various Sonos functions, including volume, play/pause, and track up/down. One key can be used to toggle through Sonos playlists. A software update will let you program Sonos scenes into the keypad, such as a party scene to send music to various rooms at different volume levels. The keypad runs on a rechargeable battery lasting up to six months. It can be mounted with peel-and-stick tape or with an included two-gang Decora adapter, which lets you install the keypad next to a single-gang light switch.

Room scheduling mode requires the TSW‑770 to be designated exclusively for room scheduling use, which precludes use of certain features and functions described in this spec sheet. Additionally, CollegeNET® 25Live® scheduling software and Ad Astra™ software do not support scheduling ad hoc meetings from the touch screen. For design assistance, contact the Crestron True Blue support team at www.crestron.com/support.

The TSW‑UMB‑70 is also compatible with older TSW‑UMB‑PMK series preconstruction mounting kits and TSW‑BBI series back boxes, allowing the TSW‑770 to be installed in place of a previous generation touch screen.

Crestron, the Crestron logo, Cresnet, Crestron Fusion, Crestron Home, Crestron One, DigitalMedia, Rava, Smart Graphics, Sonnex, and XiO Cloud are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Crestron Electronics, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Ad Astra is either a trademark or a registered trademark of Ad Astra Information Systems, LLC in the United States and/or other countries. Bluetooth is either a trademark or registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. CollegeNET and 25Live are either trademarks or registered trademarks of CollegeNET, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. G Suite and Google Calendar are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Google, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. IBM and Notes are either trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft, Active Directory, Azure, Microsoft Exchange Server, Office 365, and Outlook are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Sonos is either a trademark or registered trademark of Sonos, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. UL is either a trademark or a registered trademark of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Wall-Smart is either a trademark or registered trademark of Wall-Smart Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. Wi-Fi is either a trademark or registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance in the United States and/or other countries. Zoom and Zoom Rooms are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Zoom Video Communications, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other trademarks, registered trademarks, and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Crestron disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others. Crestron is not responsible for errors in typography or photography. Specifications are subject to change without notice. ©2022 Crestron Electronics, Inc.

It would be amazing to have a Sonos solution to this need. My speakers are out of reach and a very simple solution would be something like the attached picture. These could be placed next to existing light switchs where power is easily accessible (so you don"t have to charge them) and could ideally be paired with zones or work globally. While the app is great, getting to it quickly to change the volume or pausing is not easy or even possible some times. I realize that some would like more control and info, like that of the CR100, in a hard button controller but if you have the time to browse music options you probably have time to navigate to the app too - this is really about making a quick change. Please consider adding this product.

Your browser cannot play the provided video file."A wireless multiroom speaker system is the easiest way to listen to music, podcasts, and other audio entertainment in more than one room at a time, and we think Sonos is the best option."

"A wireless multiroom speaker system is the easiest way to listen to music, podcasts, and other audio entertainment in more than one room at a time, and we think Sonos is the best option."

The Sonos app combines all your content and settings into one effortless experience. You can also use your voice, Apple AirPlay 2, and more.Play your way

Also, if using an HDMI screen/TV, it’s probably more convenient to power the Pi via USB port on the TV. Don’t need an extra outlet available and Pi would only get power when the TV is on.  Although it looks like the Pi Zero W sellers don’t recommend something like that due to unreliable voltage. Might be something I would try anyways.

There’s the Sonos One, the One SL, and the Five. The Arc and the Beam. Yes, the Sonos product line is flexible and diverse, and just about anyone can find a solution for their needs. But with plenty of options also comes the paradox of choice — Where do you start? What Sonos speakers are best for you? What"s the difference?

If you’re asking yourself those questions, you’ve come to the right place. We put this guide together to demystify and simplify Sonos, and bring you closer to delivering beautiful, wireless music in every room in your home.

Before we dive in, let"s take a quick look at Sonos and wireless multi-room audio. (Already familiar with Sonos? Jump ahead to the "Choosing the right Sonos speakers" section.)

Sonosis a multi-room wireless streaming system. Let"s take that one step at a time. A Sonos “system” consists of a streaming device, amplifier, and speaker, all contained within one unit, like theSonos One speakersound bar. You plug the speaker into a wall power outlet, download the free Sonos app onto your smartphone, iPad, or computer, and Sonos will walk you through setup, step-by-step so that you"re off and running in no time. Every Sonos product connects to your home"s Wi-Fi, so you can play your music wirelessly from a music streaming service like Spotify or TIDAL, or from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

When you add more than one Sonos speaker to your home, you can play a different song in each room or listen to the same one throughout the house, which is where "multi-room" comes in. From small and compact for a kitchen or bathroom to larger and versatile speakers for a home theater surround sound, all are designed to deliver big, room-filling audio anywhere you put them. (Sonos speakers will even optimize it based on your room"s acoustics, thanks to the easy to use, built-in audio calibration technology called TruePlay.)

Instead of buying music song by song, wireless streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, Qobuz, or TIDAL give you instant access to almost any song or album recorded, ever, via a monthly or annual subscription of about $15 (or roughly the price of one CD). You don’t own the music; you are listening to it, continuously streaming over your Wi-Fi and into a pair of Sonos speakers. This is very different from Bluetooth, where you are transmitting the music from your phone (and as a result, every alert and sound your phone makes, too). With Sonos, the music continues (even if you get a phone call) and does not drain your phone"s battery.

Choosing the right Sonos speaker for you.You can start small and purchase any Sonos piece a la carte over time, mixing and matching your way to suit your audio needs. Every Sonos product works great on its own, but the real magic of Sonos happens when you expand your system. Before we get into building your multi-room audio system, let"s meet the essential Sonos lineup.

Similar to the original Play:1 in size and sound, the Sonos One comes with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built-in, so you can control your music with simple voice commands and access all of Alexa"s awesome skills (get weather and news updates, turn the lights on and off, etc.). The One also gives you voice control over other Sonos speakers in your home, so if you have a One SL (which doesn"t have voice built-in) in the kitchen, you can tell the One to play a song through that speaker. Pretty cool.

The Sonos One SL is a powerful microphone-free speaker that gives you the same rich, room-filling sound and all of the same features as the Sonos One, just without voice control built-in. The "SL" stands for speechless - so Sonos quite literallydropped the micon this one. You can control the One SL with theSonosapp or Apple AirPlay 2. If you already have voice control capabilities or simply don’t need it, the One SL is the way to go.If you already have voice control capabilities or simply don’t need it, the One SL is the way to go. (Watch our video on theSonos One SLhere.)

If you"re looking for voice control, simply include at least one other Sonos smart speaker in your setup, like or theBeam or theOne. Or you can use Amazon Echo and Google Home products to control One SL with your voice. There is no benefit to having multiple products with built-in voice control in the same room. With the One SL at a lower price point than the One or the Beam, this allows you to save some money on the rest of your system.

The largest speaker in the Sonos family designed for delivering the richest audio into larger rooms. The Five sounds incredible on its own, but it is designed to work best as a stereo pair, thanks to the six Class-D amplifiers and six dedicated speaker drivers inside. And depending on how you orient the Play:5, you"ll get a different audio experience: lay it horizontally for a wide sound stage or vertically to create a more direct sound stage.

But how is the Sonos Five different than its predecessor, the Play:5? To start, it"s got a chic new monochromatic look and new technology focused on increasing memory and processing power to provide improved performance. Enhanced TruePlay, Sonos" proprietary tuning technology, optimizes the sound for the unique acoustics of your room, calibrating the height channels for precise localization.

TheArcDolby Atmos sound bar is the long-awaited sound bar update from Sonos. It"s sleeker and sexier with curved edges and less overall depth than it"s best-selling predecessor,the PLAYBAR. This 3D sound-enabled sound bar features 11 high-performance drivers for bass, clear dialogue, and a realistic 5.0.2 sound experience.

This multipurpose piece let"s you play your music, check the news, set alarms, and more with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice control built right in. Stream music, radio, and podcasts from your favorite services with the Sonos app or Apple AirPlay 2 when the TV is off. But, let"s be real, this is a sound bar first and foremost... and, we"re impressed.

The most obvious difference between the Sonos Arc and the Playbar (aside from cosmetic), is the addition of Dolby Atmos. Arc"s 3D Dolby Atmos sound comes from its upward-firing drivers that create a multi-dimensional soundstage that moves around you. Arc"s advanced processing creates five channels that deliver sound to your ears from all directions at the exact right moment. And, Sonos" Trueplay tuning technology optimizes the sound for the unique acoustics of your room, calibrating the height channels for precise localization.

TheRayis Sonos’ most affordable and compact soundbar to date. The Ray utilizes a speaker array that uses four Class-D digital amplifiers, has two tweeters (off center), two elliptical Mid-woofers (centered), and proprietary low-velocity ports as part of Sonos’ bass reflex system to help lower distortion. Sonos also put in two split waveguides at the tweeter locations that expand the soundstage so the tweeter sound spreads wider and encompasses the room. All of the speaker elements are front facing, meaning you can tuck away the Ray in a TV cabinet without interfering with its sound quality (not something you can do with the ARC and probably shouldn’t with the Beam).

If you have a compatible iOS device, you can take advantage of Sonos" Trueplay tuning to adapt the sound to the acoustics of your space and ensure that you’re always hearing your content the way it was meant to be heard.

If you want a full surround experience, we’d suggest you consider adding a matching pair of speakers for rears and a Sub. The Sonos One, One SL, and Sonos Five will work as surrounds and the Sonos SUB would be your go-to subwoofer. You can also use the Sonos AMP to power in-wall, in-ceiling, or other passive speakers as surrounds.

This powerhouse subwoofer adds a healthy layer of bottom end to all of your home entertainment; sound that you can hear and feel; deep full bodied bass that rattles the floorboards and shakes the walls. With the touch of a button, the Sonos SUB easily connects to all of your other Sonos speakers using your home’s WiFi network, making it easy for you to build the home audio system of your dreams. This wireless subwoofer contains two force-cancelling speakers to deliver all the sound without buzz or rattle.

Sonos" Sub Mini is the smaller, more affordable subwoofer in the Sonos lineup - standing at just 12-inches tall. The Sub Mini comes in the traditional Sonos colors of white and black and weighsless than half of the Sub (Gen 3). Its smaller size and rounded profile makes it very easy to tuck away in your room, but its slick design isn’t something you’ll need to hide. For Sonos users that already have the Beam or the Ray, the Sub Mini is a better price match to complete your compact Sonos home theater system. Add the Beam or Ray for 3.1 home theater sound — and add two Sonos Ones or One SL speakers in the rear for 5.1 surround home theater sound.

The Sonos Move is the first ever portable speaker from Sonos offering the convenience of a built-in battery and Bluetooth. That also makes it the most flexible speaker in the Sonos family with three real use cases: 1) Add it to your existing Sonos network in your home and continue to expand your multi-room audio system as another tabletop speaker. The Move integrates seamlessly with other Sonos speakers. 2) Take it outside by the pool or patio - thanks to its durable, weatherproof design and IP56 rating - and continue streaming music via your Sonos network (so long as you still have a wifi signal). 3) Here"s the standout differentiator: switch it over to Bluetooth mode and take it with you wherever you go. So you canmovewith your Move.

The Roam is Sonos" first evercompactportable Bluetooth and WiFi smart speaker. And, while smaller and lighter than anything else in the Sonos family of speakers, Sonos still managed to pack an amazing Sonos-worthy feature set into something weighing in at less than a pound.

Like its sibling, the Move, the Sonos Roam is equipped with Bluetooth, WiFi, and AirPlay2 for iOS users. So,you can wirelessly stream with the Sonos App if you"re on your WiFi network, connect directly from your iOS device with AirPlay 2, or pair directly to your mobile device. Plus, being a part of the Sonos family, you can easily group the Roam with other Sonos products on your network for that true Sonos multi-room experience. A new Group + Swap feature lets you easily "swap" your music to and from the rest of your Sonos system. (Of note, the Roam cannot be used as surrounds in a Sonos Home Theater setup.). And, you can control it all with your voice via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. And yes, there is an option to disable the microphone for the voice assistant for privacy reasons.

Wired in-ceiling, in-wall, and outdoor speakers made in partnership with Sonance. Power with the Sonos Amp for the full Sonos streaming and multi-room experience, including custom Trueplay tuning.

Sonos offers a straightforward line-up of in-wall, in-ceiling, and outdoor speakers. These speakers are passive, wired speakers - meaning they require an amp. And, they require installation. To take advantage of Sonos" functionality and feature set, these speakers were optimized to be used with the Sonos Amp. The Amp unlocks access to Sonos TruePlay, for customized tuning and accounts for the size, construction, and layout of the room where the speakers are placed and adjusts for the best possible sound. We have Sonos packages already made and available to make it easy.

The Sonos in-ceiling speakers are great for ambient listening, while the in-wall speakers deliver more focused listening. Both have grilles that can be painted to match your wall/ceiling color so that they disappear into your decor. Like any quality outdoor speaker, Sonos" outdoor speakers come in black or white and are engineered to withstand humidity, water, salt spray, heat, UV rays, and freezing temperatures.

Now that you"ve got a lay of the Sonos land, there are many different ways to configure your Sonos system. You can mix and match Sonos speakers to your liking, or take advantage of pre-bundledSonos Speaker Sets. Each set is designed to make it easier (and more affordable) to set up the multi-room audio system or home theater surround sound you need. Our Sonos customers particularly like the Sonos "Group" feature, which allows you to fill every room with music with the touch of a button. No more walking around the house in and out of music “dead zones.”Two Room Set

Features two Sonos speakers (either a pair of Ones, One SLs, or Fives). Place one speaker in the family room and one in the kitchen, or pair two together for stereo sound.

Features four Sonos speakers. Place them wherever you like - one in every bedroom in the house, a stereo pair in the basement and a pair in the family room, etc.

Whether you"re a movie buff or your week centers around family movie night, mix and match Sonos speakers to create a wireless 3.1 or 5.1 home theater system.

A Sonos soundbar makes for a simple home theater setup. Add a Sub to it and you"ve got earth-shaking, room-filling sound for your home cinema experience. Choose the Ray or Beam + Sub mini for smaller rooms and the Arc + Sub for filling up larger rooms. The Soundbase would be your go-to if space is a concern. With a super slim, low-profile design, it can lay flat on top of your media cabinet and under your TV.

Add a pair of One SLs or Fives to your Arc + Sub setup, and you"ve got a full-blown, jaw-dropping Dolby Atmos home theater with 3D surround sound that will blow you away.There are many configurations for home theater sound, but keep in mind you can expand upon your Sonos Set no matter where you start. You might have a home theater set in the family room, and a few Ones in other rooms around the house for multi-room audio. The beauty of Sonos: there’s a ton of flexibility.

The Sonos Portis a small device that connects to your existing amplified audio system (stereo or receiver) to add wireless Sonos streaming and easily expand your sound system to more rooms. Listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, and internet radio with your amplified audio equipment. You can also stream vinyl, CDs, and stored audio files to Sonos speakers in other rooms of your home.

Sonos" amplifier/streamer, known as the Amp is, in fact, just that: a Class-D amplifier (125W/Ch at 8 ohms) that can bring the Sonos wireless streaming experience to your floor-standing, in-wall, in-ceiling, outdoor, and bookshelf speakers. Simply run a wire from the Amp to each of your speakers, and you have a complete Sonos system in that room that you can control from any device with the Sonos app. Many homeowners even use a Sonos Amp to power wiredoutdoor speakersfor a clean, wireless sound system in their backyard.

Every time you add a Sonos piece to your home, it acts like a “booster,” extending the Sonos Wi-Fi coverage. With that said, Sonos also makes a piece called the BOOST, which takes your Sonos off your regular home network and creates a new, powerful dedicated Sonos network that will reach further. Since it’s under $100, we recommended it to anyone with “less than perfect” Wi-Fi in their home. It plugs into your router and gives greater coverage.

Have questions? Our Sonos experts are here to answer them — contact us viaphone, online chat, or email. If you"re in the PA area, visitone of our showroomsto hear Sonos in action!

Every now and again a company just "gets it," and the Sonos gets it. The company is already known for its room-by-room home music systems, but this new integration with Apple"s iPhone is just cool. No more Sonos touchpad; you use your iPhone or iPod Touch instead, thanks to Sonos seizing on the popularity of the Apple App Store, distributing your library of music to any room in the house with a Sonos speaker in it. Better still, because the iPhone/Touch is your controller, you"re connected to th

Every now and again a company just "gets it," and the Sonos gets it. The company is already known for its room-by-room home music systems, but this new integration with Apple"s iPhone is just cool. No more Sonos touchpad; you use your iPhone or iPod Touch instead, thanks to Sonos seizing on the popularity of the Apple App Store, distributing your library of music to any room in the house with a Sonos speaker in it. Better still, because the iPhone/Touch is your controller, you"re connected to the net, which gives you access to 25,000 net radio stations and other online programming. The ZonePlayers look pretty, the sound is awesome. At $349 a room, it"s pricey, but at what price convenience, sound quality and "coolness?"

Need an inexpensive video camera that goes anywhere? Fits anywhere? Heck, Cisco Systems" John Chambers liked this little gizmo so much he pulled a Victor Kiam and bought the whole company! Cisco spent $600 million to buy PureDigital, but your cost will be much, much less. The little Flip features 8 gigs of onboard memory, 2 hours of recording time, HDMI output, 16:9 widescreen, and retailing for $230. Neat little camera with almost instant uploads to Facebook, MySpace and YouTube. One nit: The F

Need an inexpensive video camera that goes anywhere? Fits anywhere? Heck, Cisco Systems" John Chambers liked this little gizmo so much he pulled a Victor Kiam and bought the whole company! Cisco spent $600 million to buy PureDigital, but your cost will be much, much less. The little Flip features 8 gigs of onboard memory, 2 hours of recording time, HDMI output, 16:9 widescreen, and retailing for $230. Neat little camera with almost instant uploads to Facebook, MySpace and YouTube. One nit: The Flip Mino HD claims "HD" but only records in 720p (1280 x 720). Just sayin". Cool thing: You can upload your images and create your own skin to personalize the Flip.

Apple claims it has its best holiday shopping product line-up ever. And the best part: The products address just about every price point, and might be your best bet for the ultimate last-minute idea. Yes, new Macs run $1,000 or more but if you"re in the market for a new computer, now"s a good time. At the other end of the spectrum, the iPhone and iPod Touch. Like the iPhone but not those high monthly charges or AT&T or the lack of a real keyboard? Get the iPod Touch. Both link to iTunes and the

Apple claims it has its best holiday shopping product line-up ever. And the best part: The products address just about every price point, and might be your best bet for the ultimate last-minute idea. Yes, new Macs run $1,000 or more but if you"re in the market for a new computer, now"s a good time. At the other end of the spectrum, the iPhone and iPod Touch. Like the iPhone but not those high monthly charges or AT&T or the lack of a real keyboard? Get the iPod Touch. Both link to iTunes and the App Store, and that App Store makes either device the gift that keeps on giving with well over 100,000 available applications ready for download. Apple"s new "Magic Mouse" is just nifty. The wireless device borrows the multi-touch technology from MacBooks and runs $45. Apple stores are now offering gift-wrapping for the first time too. And for last-minute shoppers, check out iTunes Extra, a way you can "gift" films like "Up," "Star Trek," "Twilight" and others instantly via email, or print a gift certificate right from your computer. And some of the movies feature exclusive extra content just for iTunes shoppers.

Finally, an easy-to-use, intuitive, touch-screen with keypad, dual infrared/RF universal remote. One word: Wow. The LCD screen is small, but crystal clear, the rechargeable lithium ion battery is actually removable too, the excellent RF Blaster accessories let you finally control all your components without leaving the cabinetry open. I"ve seen this for $400, but if you shop carefully, you should be able to pick it up for around $300. I have used Harmony remotes before and loved how easy they ar

Finally, an easy-to-use, intuitive, touch-screen with keypad, dual infrared/RF universal remote. One word: Wow. The LCD screen is small, but crystal clear, the rechargeable lithium ion battery is actually removable too, the excellent RF Blaster accessories let you finally control all your components without leaving the cabinetry open. I"ve seen this for $400, but if you shop carefully, you should be able to pick it up for around $300. I have used Harmony remotes before and loved how easy they are to set up just by hooking them into your computer and doing everything online. Save for a set-up quirk with the Dish Network PVR which needs to be addressed more clearly by Logitech in manuals and its tech support staff, this one builds on all the good things of the past, and takes success to a new level.

If you haven"t gotten an LCD or Plasma television, now is the time. Prices are absolutely plunging, and while I"m partial to Samsung"s LCD picture, there are some absolutely amazing deals out there. Check out Wal-mart"s Sharp 42-inch set for $498, normally $768 and a 46-inch model marked down from $1,158 to $698. Shop carefully and compare picture. There are some phenomenal deals on 50-inch sets, but be careful on resolution: 720p versus 1080p on a set smaller than 42 inches may not be noticeabl

If you haven"t gotten an LCD or Plasma television, now is the time. Prices are absolutely plunging, and while I"m partial to Samsung"s LCD picture, there are some absolutely amazing deals out there. Check out Wal-mart"s Sharp 42-inch set for $498, normally $768 and a 46-inch model marked down from $1,158 to $698. Shop carefully and compare picture. There are some phenomenal deals on 50-inch sets, but be careful on resolution: 720p versus 1080p on a set smaller than 42 inches may not be noticeable, but 46 inches and above, you"ll want to spend the little extra for full 1080p. You can see the difference on those larger screens.

Hands down, the best deal going if you"re in the market for a new PC and don"t want to buy a Mac. This all started as a tie-in to Microsoft"s Windows 7 release but it has been such a success for Best Buy and HP, that the deals continue. And what a deal: An HP Slimline desktop with Windows 7; 18.5 inch LCD monitor; an HP laptop; an HP Mini netbook; a Netgear Wireless-G router; and home network Geek Squad set-up and the whole package runs $1,200.

Hands down, the best deal going if you"re in the market for a new PC and don"t want to buy a Mac. This all started as a tie-in to Microsoft"s Windows 7 release but it has been such a success for Best Buy and HP, that the deals continue. And what a deal: An HP Slimline desktop with Windows 7; 18.5 inch LCD monitor; an HP laptop; an HP Mini netbook; a Netgear Wireless-G router; and home network Geek Squad set-up and the whole package runs $1,200.

Electronic books have reached a tipping point of sorts. Amazon"s Kindle, Sony"s eReader, and increasingly Barnes and Noble"s Nook are engaged in a pitched battle for your digital dollar. Amazon"s sold nearly 2 million units, and a recent price cut should turbo-charge those numbers even more. Amazon now offers 350,000 titles on its online Kindle bookstore. And analysts say 1 million e-readers could sell this holiday shopping season alone. There are 17 e-readers on, or coming to, the market. Each has its own pros and cons, and it"s a matter of personal preference. They"re both excellent, and this has certainly become THE year for digital books. Just ask Google. More price points for Sony, starting at $200, versus Amazon"s starting at $300. One thing: Sony"s got touchscreen capabilities, and Amazon doesn"t.

One of the biggest trends in 2018: Smart homes. The advancement of technology has improved how homes are managed. Out of the many designs for managing home systems, one of the most popular ones is keypads. Many homeowners prefer using keypads as their home systems visual points. The keypads come in many designs ranging from simple designs to more complex ones.

Since the invention of touch screens, people prefer navigating through touch rather than using buttons. The touch screen smart home keypads have options for changing settings through gestures, taps, swipes and even flicks. These options make changing smart home settings a simple task.

Wireless keypads are gaining popularity because they do not require additional installation to work after purchase. This makes their installation process easy and efficient especially for homeowners who are remodeling. Keypads that are not wireless have to be tethered in one specific place. The wireless keypad solely requires electrical wiring for power and internet connection for the device to be functional.

Nowadays keypads are designed with a sleek and polished exterior. The smart home keypads come with high quality apps and themes that can be used to customize the home settings. In addition, some keypads can be connected to a mobile device for easier access. The keypads come in many designs such as buttons for a traditional feel. The newer smart home keypads are made with touchscreen technology.

Smart home technology is being embraced more and more every single day. Check out the new designs and trends of smart home keypads and see how they have masterfully evolved to meet consumer desires.

Although I’ve longed for the silky-smooth UI that Apple Watch users enjoy, I never once pined over that OLED touchscreen. It’ll suck too much power, wash out in direct sunlight, and there are just too many scenarios where a capacitive touch panel would be defeated by gloves, water, or an errant touch. Real athletes want low-power displays and buttons to grab, damnit!

The Epix 2 does (almost) everything the new Fenix 7 series can do, only from behind an OLED display instead of a transflective LCD. In my opinion, the touchscreen addition to the Fenix 7 series is useful, but the touchscreen OLED on the Epix 2 is an epiphany.

Fortunately, Garmin gave the Epix 2 the same five-button control found on the Fenix series in addition to that touchscreen. While the touchscreen is on during normal smartwatch usage, it turns off by default for the dozens upon dozens of included activity and sport profiles to avoid errant touches screwing up your data collection. That’s fine because the touchscreen can be enabled by default for particular activities, or whenever you want. Garmin gives the athlete full control over when the touchscreen is active.

For example, I have the touchscreen enabled by default when trail running and mountain biking because I like to get lost in the woods, and I rely upon Garmin’s onboard maps to get me back to my starting position. But it’s winter on the North Sea where I kitesurf, which means thick neoprene gloves are a must. For that reason, I just leave the touchscreen turned off in the kiteboard activity profile. Nevertheless, when it’s on, that wet touchscreen works perfectly against a bare finger.

I have had issues with the touchscreen being activated by my high-tech Nike jacket when running in moderate to heavy rain. The wet sleeve bouncing across the display can cause the activity view to switch. It’s annoying, but also rare, and doesn’t create a situation where my data could be lost.

The touchscreen makes navigating Garmin’s collection of global golf courses and topographical, road, trail, and ski resort maps so much easier. Without it, you’re required to master a tricky combination of buttons to pan and zoom around. With touch, you simply double-tap to zoom in or touch-and-drag to pan (you can’t pinch to zoom though and a button press is required to zoom out). The Epix 2 also refreshes map views quickly, which were frustratingly slow on the old Fenix 6. I use Garmin’s map views far more frequently now as a result.

Perhaps my favorite feature of the touchscreen is being able to tap and hold on the watch face to go directly into the selected complication. (Tap and hold is slower to execute than Apple’s direct tap interface, but it also requires deliberate touches to activate.) For example, when I tap and hold the day’s high/low temperature complication, I feel a light haptic bump before being taken into a detailed weather forecast. Tap “unproductive” and Garmin will explain how WAKING UP AT 530AM TO RUN A PERSONAL BEST 5K IN THE FREEZING RAIN BEFORE MY KIDS WAKE UP AND I HAVE TO BE AT WORK IS SOMEHOW UNPRODUCTIVE. Eh hem. My current watch face, which is a customized version of the Epix 2 default, has seven such complications on it.

The OLED display on the Epix 2 is detailed and bright in all lighting, the battery can easily last almost a week or longer when training every day, and that touchscreen makes Garmin’s overwrought menu system and on-board maps so much easier to navigate.

Place xPRESS anywhere you want instant access to Sonos. Play, skip tracks and adjust volume, all with the simplicity of flicking on the lights. And, with the Star button, toggle and auto-play all of your Sonos favorites whether Spotify playlists, Pandora Radio Stations and more!

Install on a wall, place on the coffee table, or magnetically mount to the fridge. Enjoy a simple install with no wires, no hubs and no fuss. Set up in 2 minutes with the iPort Connect App for iOS. Use xPRESS as an individual controller, or control a group when you create one in Sonos. xPRESS: control Sonos music instantly from anywhere in the house.