VEXO: ruwido presents probably the best and most beautiful remote control in the world / Remote control without any buttons - the thumb operates all functions

Neumarkt/Berlin (ots) -

- Sophisticated technology in harmony with minimalist design
- "Simplexity" is the trend: intuitive navigation without any
buttons
- Pioneering model for new generation of interactive remote
controls

Neumarkt/ IFA Berlin hall 25 stand 139 - ruwido, the leading
European manufacturer of remote controls, presents VEXO, an exclusive
universal remote control designed to control all functions of up to
16 devices without the need for a single button, at IFA 2006 in
Berlin: VEXO is the name of the provocatively stylish innovation with
minimalist design. A silver-coloured key-coin made of aluminium, set
in black glossy polycarbonate glass, replaces the usual chaos of
buttons. The thumb is used to intuitively control all functions with
rotating and pressing operations. A back-lit display clearly guides
the user through the breadth of devices and functions. VEXO is
therefore more than an aesthetic highlight for ambitious lifestyle
scenarios.

Software and hardware of the highest quality are behind the design
reminiscent of the mystic monoliths from the science fiction cult
film "2001 Space Odyssey". With integrated high performance chip, USB
connection and intelligent, upgradable software, the VEXO is a
pioneer of a new generation of interactive remote controls from
ruwido. The VEXO takes over control keys from conventional remote
controls either by self-learning or can also be programmed via an USB
connection using an Internet website. Despite its great versatility
and wealth of functions, the VEXO completely does without an user's
manual. A DVD explains the basic operating steps of rotating and
pressing - the rest is self-explanatory.

ruwido's "probably best and most beautiful remote control in the
world" will be marketed exclusively via the specialised trade from
the end of October 2006.

The pure "switchbox" turns into a navigator
Integration is the trend: VCRs marry DVD players, mobiles mix with
MP3 players. But strangely enough it is the remote controls that pile
up on the couch table every time new entertainment equipment is
purchased. Even television, recording and hi-fi components of the
exclusive premium class are still frequently equipped with remote
controls which bear no relationship to the value of the equipment in
terms of feel, appearance and user guidance.

With the VEXO, a remote control now moves into everyday
entertainment electronics as a completely integral element and does
away with the old "prejudices" of being just a switchbox. It is not
only used for the simple control of the navigator on the TV-screen or
of other functions but assumes the navigator role itself.

Core of the innovative usability concept behind the VEXO is its
"simplexity". This is a complex and intelligent technology inside the
control (complexity) which can be operated simply and intuitively by
the user (simplicity). Such an elaborate concept required an
extensive research and development phase over many years which was
also supported and substantiated by dissertations of employees in the
"ruwido usability studio" and co-operation with scientific facilities
such as the Information and Communication Technologies & Society
(ICT&S) of the University of Salzburg.

The VEXO is at the same time a pioneer of a new technology
platform presented by ruwido which has already been prepared for the
interactive and Internet-based applications and devices of the
future.

All functions at a glance: universal remote control with display
The VEXO display is invisible at first glance. It only lights up once
the coin-key has been touched. A clever user interface permits direct
access to the requisite functions which can be read perfectly thanks
to the integrated background lighting even when the lights are low
during an home cinema evening.

In order to attune the VEXO to new pieces of CE-equipment it
merely needs to be placed in front of the existing remote control and
start the key search. The requisite infrared keys need not be entered
manually as is otherwise the case, but are recognised automatically
during the search via a database stored in the remote control. Any
missing data can be downloaded quickly and easily using the USB
interface on the PC.

In this way either all of the operating functions of the
corresponding device can be transferred or only individually selected
ones. Exclusively those functions actually available to the end
device are displayed on the VEXO. Different functions from different
devices can also be combined in one user interface without having to
press a button to swap between them. VEXO therefore frequently proves
to be more intelligent than many entertainment device themselves.

Trend research for the CE industry: also in terms of colours and
materials
As leading system supplier to the CE industry ruwido researches
not only intuitive usability logics for the increasingly complex
devices but also future trends in design, colour and material. ruwido
manifests these endeavours in the VEXO with the black glossy
polycarbonate material of the remote control's surface. The cool
artificial glass effectively contrasts with the matt black soft
finish of the outer VEXO housing.

###

We would be happy to arrange appointments for background
discussions, product demonstrations and interviews with ruwido at the
IFA. Stefan Susbauer and team can be reached on their mobile phones
during the trade fair (see contact). ruwido can be found in IFA Hall
25 Stand 139.

About ruwido
ruwido is Europe's largest manufacturer of remote controls and
infrared technology. At its headquarters in Neumarkt am Wallersee
(Austria) ruwido researches, develops and produces remote controls
for the retail trade as well as for leading brands in the CE sector,
including Loewe, Metz and Sony. In equal measure Europe's pay TV and
platform operators such as Kabel Deutschland, Premiere, Telecom
Italia, Canal+, NTL and ONO rely on the customised operating concepts
and solutions from ruwido. The company was founded in Austria in 1969
and in 1975 presented the world's first infrared remote control.
Since an MBO in 2003 the Managing Director of many years' standing,
Ferdinand Maier, is also the owner of ruwido. The company employs an
average of 170 people of whom more than 20 percent work in research
and development. ruwido products, technologies and services are
available in all European countries. For further information in
English please go to: www.ruwido.com

Originaltext: ruwido Austria GmbH
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Contact:
Susbauer PR
Stefan Susbauer/Yasmin Glöde
Theodor-Heuss-Ring 36
50668 Cologne
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 221/ 120 123
Fax: +49 (0) 221/ 120 122

Mobile at the IFA:
Stefan Susbauer: +49 (0) 173/ 61 96 001
Yasmin Glöde: +49 (0) 173/ 61 96 003

E-mail: s.susbauer@susbauer.de
y.gloede@susbauer.de

ruwido austria GmbH
Gabriele Smith
Management Assistant
Köstendorfer Straße 8
A-5202 Neumarkt a.W.
Austria

Tel: +43 (0) 6216/ 4571-0
E-mail: gabriele.smith@ruwido.com