Panasonic, for example, introduced a television paired with a tablet device that acted as both a traditional remote control and interface for the Web.

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Nintendo may have extended a lukewarm greeting toward online play with the Wii U, but it seems to have finally embraced other forms of entertainment with TVii, taking advantage of the GamePad's second screen to act as a remote control and interface to various entertainment services.

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In addition to the Iris Hub, this kit includes a thermostat which makes programming simple with an intuitive user interface and remote control of home settings through the Iris app.

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"Kaleidescape was the first to develop a movie server with an onscreen user interface and remote control designed specifically for young children, " said Michael Malcolm, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Kaleidescape.

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That's promising, because whenever we search through TWC's current Scientific Atlanta DVR interface we wind up spiking our remote control in frustration, and that's getting expensive.

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The software is a version of its embedded device software, overlaid with the Windows Media Center interface, with media streaming and remote-control capabilities.

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High Definition movies and stills can be shared with family and friends on an HD television via HDMI output, and control slideshows and video using the HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) interface that is a part of most modern remote controls from HDTV manufacturers.

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