It’s not a good day to be the owner of a Philips Pronto universal remote or to be a fan of the hardware. The Pronto line has been around since the 1990s, and Philips has now announced that the line is dead. Philips has ceased production and its related activities.
The question in my mind is if the “related activities” includes the support of the remotes and their software. If so, there will be lots of unhappy home theater owners out there with products that will be useless with new hardware not supported already.
The Rise and Fall of Philips Pronto
The Philips Pronto line was first introduced in the late 1990s and quickly became a favorite among home theater enthusiasts. These universal remotes were known for their advanced customization options, allowing users to control multiple devices with a single remote. The Pronto remotes featured touchscreens, programmable buttons, and even the ability to create custom macros to perform multiple actions with a single button press.
Despite their popularity, the Pronto remotes faced increasing competition from other brands, most notably the Logitech Harmony line. Logitech’s remotes offered similar functionality at a lower price point, making them more accessible to the average consumer. Additionally, the rise of smart home technology and voice-controlled assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant further diminished the demand for traditional universal remotes.
Apparently, Philips shopped Pronto around and no one was interested in buying and just opted to kill the brand off. The line of remotes faced tough competition by the likes of the Logitech Harmony line and others. Strangely, the killing of the brand comes shortly after the last product called the TSW-9500 debuted.
Impact on Current Pronto Owners
The discontinuation of the Pronto line raises several concerns for current owners. One of the biggest questions is whether Philips will continue to provide support for the existing remotes and their software. Without ongoing support, users may find it difficult to integrate their Pronto remotes with new home theater equipment or troubleshoot any issues that arise.
For many home theater enthusiasts, the Pronto remotes were a significant investment. These devices were not cheap, with some models costing several hundred dollars. The prospect of losing support for these expensive remotes is understandably frustrating for those who have relied on them for years.
Moreover, the discontinuation of the Pronto line highlights the broader challenges faced by traditional universal remote manufacturers. As technology continues to evolve, consumers are increasingly looking for more integrated and user-friendly solutions to control their home entertainment systems. Voice-controlled assistants and smart home devices offer a level of convenience and functionality that traditional remotes struggle to match.
The end of the Philips Pronto line marks the end of an era for universal remotes. While the Pronto remotes were once the gold standard for home theater control, they have been overtaken by more modern and versatile solutions. For current Pronto owners, the future remains uncertain as they wait to see if Philips will continue to provide support for their beloved remotes.
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
