GreenPeak is teaming up with consumer electronics companies, service providers and the ZigBee Alliance to help roll out third wireless network for home and office that is green and conserves energy. Operating concurrently in the home with Wi-Fi internet and cordless phones, the third wireless network is based on the newly approved ZigBee RF4CE standard.
Remote controls are among the first applications to benefit from ultra low power ZigBee RF4CE. As ZigBee RF4CE is based on radio which penetrates walls, furniture, and floors, rather than line of sight optical IR, this new generation of remote control means that users no longer have to point-and-shoot to their TV set or set top box to change channels or program the DVR. A single ZigBee RF4CE remote can control the entire home's electronic systems – TV, games, communications, home automation, audio, security, environment, etc.
Other ZigBee RF4CE capabilities include a central "dashboard" function on the remote control that includes monitoring home energy consumption as well as a cool "Find-Me" feature. Find-Me enables users to press a button on their TV set or stereo and their hidden or lost remote will make itself known by blinking, beeping or even playing music.
Wolfgang Patelay, Editor Print & Online 