Team XBMC has updated XBMC Remote for Android to v0.7.0–further improving on an already superb remote control. Most notable of the changes is the addition of the TV show library which was missing in prior releases.

Changelog for v0.7.0:

• Added: TV show library support. Browse by show, season and episode. Details view for shows and episodes.
• Added: Remote texture support for HTC Tattoo
• Added: Basic integration for XBMC’s shiny new JSON-RPC interface. Looking good but still a lot missing. Deactivated by default.
• Added: Default cover for “Now playing”
• Added: In file mode, added support for playing FLAC and m4a.
• Fixed: Rewrote cover download code. Images are now resized smoothely and a recent XBMC build will download 10x faster. Also, it doesn’t start downloading thumbs that are still scrolling.
• Fixed: Batch cover download should now be faster, eat less memory and crash less. Also you can abort the process and restart it.
• Fixed: Crash when closing screen while covers were still downloading
• Fixed: Crash on calls from people without image
• Fixed: “Hide artists who only appear on compilations” was broken due to change of XBMC’s preference setting
• Fixed: Remote control GFX was messed for Nexus one
• Fixed: Moved WOL port and timeout setting to the host preferences
• Fixed: List view brushup
• Fixed: Dpad events were too sensitively treated
• Fixed: Query issue with old XBMC versions <Camelot (thanks Steve)
• Fixed: Long press issues
• Fixed: Some NPEs
• Fixed: There were still medium sized thumbs showing up instead of small

The application still won’t be available in the Android Market until hits version 1.0. Until then, you can download the latest version from Google Code. Check out the screenshots of the TV show library in the gallery below.

Source: XBMC Remote for Android on Google Code

XBMC is a feature-rich media center with an attractive interface. Through it’s EventServer XBMC has seemingless endless support for both physical and software remote controls. Smartphone users can use their phones in “smarter” ways by turning them into XBMC remotes.

A real XBMC remote goes beyond mere mouse and keystroke control. Instead, it allows browsing of your XBMC media library directly from your phone’s screen. Imagine changing a song or starting an episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars for your 5 year old from the next room. There are currently three notable remotes providing this functionality: XBMC Remote for Android, XBMC Remote for iPhone (and iPod Touch) and XBMC HTTP-Remote.

Check out the feature comparison:

	XBMC Remote for Android	XBMC Remote for iPhone	XBMC HTTP-R
Platform(s)	Google Android	iPhone, iPod Touch	Google Android, iPhone, iPod Touch, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Palm WebOS
Cost	Free	$2.99	Free
Developer	Team XBMC	collect3	XiniX88
Version	0.8.1	1.7	0.4
Where to get it?	Android Market	Apple App Store	XBMC Forums
Movie Library	Yes	Yes	Yes
TV Shows Library	Yes	Yes	Yes
Music Library	Yes	Yes	Yes
Media Sources (File Mode)	Yes	Yes	??
Remote Control	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Trackball works in Remote Control mode.		Also has a VNC-like control feature.
Gesture controls	--	Yes	--
Customizable remote buttons	--	Yes	--
Show incoming SMS on TV	Yes	--	--
Show incoming calls on TV	Yes	--	--
Notifications on phone Statusbar	Yes	--	--
Sorting	Yes	--	--
Pros	Trackball support. Incoming SMS and phone notifications.	Sleek interface. Customizable "tab" items.	Scalable, broader support of mobile OSes beyond Android and iPhone.
Cons	Basic design right now.	It's not free?	Doesn't use XBMC's built-in web server. Instead requires additional software (i.e., PHP, Apache).

Update: My initial thoughts were that while XBMC Remote for Android offered more features, the XBMC Remote for iPhone was a better app overall due to XBMC Remote for Android’s lack of TV show library support. My views have changed since v0.7.0 which launched after this article was published. XBMC Remote for Android is a better app feature-wise and the iPhone app is prettier and more responsive.

Both of these applications will continue to evolve alongside XBMC. Hopefully awareness of XBMC will grow resulting in more competition and options for remote software… And perhaps other media centers will take note.

Share your thoughts on which is better in the comments.

Note: Lifehacker also has a good article describing different XBMC remote control software. Somehow they mentioned HippoRemote for iPhone but failed to mention both the Android app or even the XBMC Remote for iPhone. Both in my opinion are far superior solutions in terms of XBMC usage.

While not nearly as crotch-hardening as this afternoon’s official launch of the Nexus One phone by Google, I’m pleased at what the Boxee team has just given a tease on: The Boxee Box Remote.

Unfortunately, no details have been shared about the device. All they’ve revealed is that it has a QWERTY keyboard on its underbelly, wireless of some sort, and sleek as hell.

If I were a gambling man, I’d bet the Boxee Box Remote will only be shipped in box with the Boxee Box (hence the name). I hope not, but we’ll see.

UPDATE: It looks like Engadget has gotten hands-on with the Boxee Box at CES.

About a month ago as I haphazardly roamed the HDTV isles at a local Best Buy, I randomly came across what I have been in search of for many months–a sleek, wireless keyboard with a touchpad. Introducing: Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro.

I must admit that I was a bit discouraged because the device was in the PS3 section and specifically said “for PlayStation 3.” Since it had a Bluetooth logo I figured it would be a safe chance to take. All worked out perfectly. I unpacked the device, installed my Bluetooth USB adapter on my HTPC and paired the device in Windows XP in roughly 15 minutes.

I have yet to have a problem with it except when the cheap AA batteries died. It is a light weight, sleek, and very responsive. This device has been quite a life saver.. or rather a time and energy saver–allowing me to be even lazier while watching videos on my HTPC.

I definitely recommend the Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro for any HTPC enthusiasts looking for a good remote solution.

Buy now: Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro from Amazon.com