harmony

Pin Google Docs to Outlook

If you frequently use Outlook on your desktop and Google Docs for Web-based documents, the Harmony Outlook add-on for Google Docs offers the best of both worlds by pinning the "cloud" to your desktop. When in Outlook, Harmony will display your Google Docs in a sidebar. From here, you can open, read, edit, share, and create new documents. There are other benefits, too, like turning desktop files into new Google Docs from the Harmony sidebar, and dragging and dropping a Google Doc into an e-mail as either a link (the regular dragging action) or as a physical attachment (… Read more

Google Docs for the lazy: Harmony Outlook add-on

The Google Docs Web-based productivity suite blossomed thanks to its virtue of efficiency. We recently got to know a tool that layers on the convenience by giving you ways to manage Google Docs from a desktop app you already use--your Outlook in-box.  By installing the free Harmony for Google Docs beta Outlook add-on, your Google Docs show up in a sidebar, from which they can be opened and edited right in Outlook's reading pane. Clicking the Harmony button in the navigation ribbon surfaces your Google Docs in new messages as well.

Harmony is essentially inserting a browser into … Read more

Logitech goes for broke with $50 Harmony remote

Just four weeks ago, Logitech unveiled two new entry-level models in its popular universal remote line, the $80 Harmony 600 and the $100 Harmony 650. Apparently, though, those models just weren't cheap enough for Logitech. The company has now taken the wraps off the Harmony 300, which will retail for just $50--making it the most affordable Logitech remote to date.

To hit that ultra-affordable price point, of course, there had to be some compromises. The 300 controls only four products, it lacks the LCD screen found on the step-up 600 and 650 models, and most of the buttons aren't backlit. It also has only a stripped-down version of the activity-based control functionality that Harmony models are known for--there's just a "Watch TV" button to fire up your TV and cable/satellite box, and switch the TV to its proper input. … Read more

Flipr: New universal remote for iPhone and iPod Touch debuts

We've been waiting for more companies to come out with IR dongle/iPhone app combos that allow you to turn your iPhone or iPod Touch into a highly functional universal remote for your AV gear. And now the folks at New Potato Technologies have jumped on the iPhone remote bandwagon with Flipr, which retails for $79.99.

Available now at NewPotatoTech.com, the small dongle will also be sold at Best Buy starting March 28. Once you've bought the dongle, you can then download the free Flipr App from the App store and start using your Apple touch-screen … Read more

Logitech unveils two sub-$100 Harmony remotes

If you've been avoiding a Harmony remote because you felt they were too expensive, you may soon be out of excuses.

Logitech has added two new models to its Harmony product line. The Harmony 600 and Harmony 650 will debut in Europe and the U.S. later in March at prices of $79.99 and $99.99 respectively, effectively replacing the aging Harmony 510 as the new entry-level models in the company's line-up.

The Harmony 650 appears to be a near doppelganger of the Harmony 700 save for a few basic differences: it's gray instead of black; it's not rechargeable; and it controls five devices instead of six. The 600 is identical to the 650, except that it's silver and white and offers a monochrome LCD screen instead of the 650's color version. Like all Harmony remotes, these models are programmable via a Mac or Windows PC, and use activity-based commands such "Watch TV" or "Listen to Music" to control a home AV system. … Read more

Speed up your Logitech Harmony Remote

I was mentioning on The Real Deal show the other day that my Logitech Harmony Remote takes a long time to turn on all my devices, meaning that sometimes some people in my family complain that it doesn't work right.

Laurence wrote in to point out you can change the latency settings on the Harmony and it should work better. Thanks, Laurence! Here's what's going on.

When you choose an action in the Harmony remote it plods through everything in the order you've told it, sending the commands by infrared with pauses in between each command. Turn on the TV, pause, turn on the speakers, pause, turn on the DVD player, pause, turn the TV to the DVD input, etc.

There's a default latency setting that defines how long that pause is. It's meant to make sure your device gets every command and runs it. Laurence shaved a few hundred milliseconds off his latency without issue, leading to much snappier performance.

Here's how to do it.… Read more

Get a new Harmony One remote for $139.99

CNET calls the Logitech Harmony One "arguably the best consumer remote control currently available," and I agree. I've owned one for about two years, and it's without a doubt my favorite remote ever.

Alas, Logitech still sells it for $250, same as when it debuted in early 2008. But right now, CompUSA is offering the Harmony One for $139.99 shipped.

That's after applying coupon code OXG277 at checkout.

(If this deal sounds a bit familiar, that's because I posted a similar one back in October--but the price then was $150, and it was … Read more

Amazon.com has the Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote for $149.99, after a $100 savings.

Save $100 on the Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote from Amazon.com >> Regular price is $249.99 >> Sale price is $149.99 >> Savings $100 (40%) >> Click here for deal

Gadgettes Podcast 163: The Technology We're Thankful For Episode

Today's cornucopia of technology is perfect for when you travel to visit your family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Some tech makes getting there safer and capturing the moment easier. Other tech was meant for your escape from the in-laws.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video)… Read more