The Neeo Remote for Control4 Combines Slick Design With An Intuitive Interface

In February of 2019, Control4 acquired Neeo, the Switzerland-based creator of the acclaimed smart home remote. The acquisition was intended to accelerate Control4’s ability to deliver next-generation remotes, touch panels, keypads, and other smart home devices. We were impressed with Neeo’s universal “Thinking Remote” when it first hit the scene in 2016, and have been anxious to see what innovative products the partnership with Control4 might yield. The first such product is the Neeo Remote for Control4 ($600), which its creators describe as “a touchscreen remote that delivers highly-refined control of home entertainment experiences through the powerful Control4 Smart Home OS 3 platform.” Control4 launched its revamped OS 3 operating system in May of 2019, and it was immediately apparent that the software was a significant leap forward for the entire Control4 smart home experience. But the popular SR260 remote control ($330) lacked a graphical interface, so it didn’t allow users to experience the full potential of the new OS. The Neeo Remote for Control4 features a high-res touchscreen, and will be a game-changer for many users. Control4 says that the new Neeo Remote is “ideal for consumers who self-describe as video streamers, music enthusiasts, and smart home scene users who prioritize elegance and premium products.”

As the first Control4 handheld remote to combine the simplicity of physical buttons with the flexibility of a touchscreen, the Neeo Remote is designed to deliver fast access to a homeowner’s most-used streaming services, playlists, TV channels, and room-level or household-level smart home scenes. Control4 describes the unit as sleek, intuitive, and “fully personalized to meet the unique interests and devices for any home.” The three-inch, high-resolution, edge-to-edge LCD touchscreen is housed in a robust machined aluminum body that Control4 claims “balances perfectly in the hand, embodying the sophistication found in high-end consumer electronic products.” Audioholics founder Gene DellaSala already has the new remote at hand, and so far he agrees that the solid, brushed aluminum body makes the unit feel sturdy and durable despite its compact form factor. It is available in either silver or black, and comes with a low-profile, black charging station. The battery reportedly lasts up to five days between charges.

“Neeo is as easy to use as it is beautiful. It’s nice to have all our favorite stations just right there on the main screen and easily accessible. And, unlike the pile of remotes we’ve accumulated, it’s certainly not an eyesore — it’s actually a piece of technology that I don’t mind lying around for guests to see. I’m sure it will even be a conversation starter for many of our friends and family when they come to visit.”

 — Jennifer Reed, Control4 beta tester

The touchscreen handles many of the Neeo Remote’s functions and reduces the number of physical buttons on the unit, resulting in a neat and uncluttered appearance. Users can assign a one-touch icon to their favorite TV channels, or use the on-screen keypad to select a channel manually. The graphical user interface (GUI) is substantially easier to learn and navigate than a cluster of physical buttons, and if you’ve ever seen a toddler playing games on an iPad, you know that anyone can intuitively use an icon-driven touchscreen. But there are some situations in which physical buttons come in handy. For example, physical volume buttons allow the user to make adjustments during a movie without ever looking away from the onscreen action. By combining a simple touchscreen interface with physical buttons for key functions like volume, mute, and power, the Neeo Remote aims to deliver the best of both worlds. Voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant is also supported by the Control4 platform.

“The modern smart home needs simple interfaces to start a movie, select a playlist, or lock a door. Neeo was expertly designed to be beautiful, and with Control4 OS 3, it’s also the easiest way for a family to enjoy entertainment in their homes. Neeo is a reflection of our obsession for creating the most elegant and simple interfaces for the refined smart home.” 

 — Charlie Kindel, SnapAV Chief Product & Technology Officer

The Neeo Remote was designed for easy integration into existing Control4 systems. Homeowners running Smart Home OS 3 can add a Neeo remote without a visit from a Control4 Smart Home Pro, and without having to add the Neeo in Composer Pro. After you enter the system’s network credentials, the Neeo Remote automatically loads up the necessary programming, and even performs over-the-air firmware updates automatically. If you don’t have a Control4 system and you’re interested in learning more, visit a Control4 Certified Showroom on Thursday, November 21, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. to participate in the company’s #C4Yourself Day. The Neeo Remote will be on display and available to demo as part of a complete smart home experience.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.