Ruwido and Swisscom launch low energy Bluetooth remote

Austria-based remote control specialist Ruwido has partnered with Swisscom for what it claims is Europe’s first commercial deployment of a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) remote control.

Ruwido engineered the bi-directional Swisscom 2.0 remote control for use with Swisscom’s Android-based IPTV set-top box and the development extends the companies’ long-term business partnership.

Data transmission via BLE technology is designed to offer the user better control, access and navigation over content. BLE technology removes the traditional need for direct line of sight with the set-top box, while also providing significantly reduced power consumption, said Ruwido.

“The remote control is fundamental to enabling our subscribers to access their favourite content, and we have worked closely with Ruwido to create a new device which ensures complete ease of use with our IPTV service,” said Peter Fregelius, head of entertainment devices, Swisscom.

Ferdinand Maier, CEO, Ruwido added: “By integrating BLE capabilities into our design and manufacturing process, we are offering our customers the opportunity to adopt a wide range of exciting functional enhancements, adapted to their individual interface requirements. We are appreciative of our partnership with Swisscom and are exceptionally proud that we were able to bring to market our first BLE remote with such a long standing partner.”

Ruwido is exhibiting at IBC on stand 1.F68