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According to a new study by ABI Research, the wave of the future for remote controls is RF.  Expect a lot of RF remotes by 2014.  The great majority of remotes still use infrared (IR) so you need a line of sight between your remote and your device.  How often have you had to crook your arm just to make sure your TiVo got the signal?

The study says RF is the future since it can be used to convey data back from the device you are controlling and doesn’t need line of sight to operate.  ABI Research also says that companies like Sony will start shipping RF remotes soon with its Bravia line. 

With TVs getting flatter and flatter, there is little room to place your devices under your television.  There are tons of boxes that connect to your TV; a component closet is probably in many of our futures.  IR just doesn’t work well with that kind of system.  Let’s see how long it takes for you to break the habit of pointing the remote at your TV once everything moves to RF. 

Read [ABI Research]