The remote control industry will start making more use of the standards behind RF remote controls according to ABI Research-- finally moving from relying on the old warhorse, infrared technology.
The analyst predicts the RF remote market will "exceed 217M devicees in 2016," with the main standards in use being RF4CE (better known as part of ZigBee)and Bluetooth.
RF4CE sees most use in the STBs, as service providers (including Comcast DISH Network and France Telecom) start either trialing or deploying remote controls employing the technology.
Meanwhile CE space sees most Bluetooth-based activity-- particularly in video game consoles (all 3 current-generation platforms use wireless controllers) and high-end TV models from Panasonic, Samsung and Vizio.
3DTV might also drive Bluetooth adoption as the RF technology of choice to support a new 3D glasses standard, ABI concludes. Suppliers and retailers, take note.
