Intel's F1-inspired Viiv remote

 

We wonder what the meeting was like over at Intel HQ when they decided to produce this programmable remote that's designed for controlling your Viiv devices and is shaped like the steering wheel from a BMW F1 car. We wrote a short play describing how we think it went.

Executive 1: It seems like people are seeing Viiv as kind of a novelty. What should we do?
Executive 2: Hmm, maybe we should develop a remote that'll give users access to all of their media without having to switch remotes, thus making Viiv actually useful for accessing content. It can have an array of custom programmable buttons, two of which look like bright blue marker caps, and everything.
Executive 1: Yeah, and it can be shaped like the steering wheel from a race car!
Executive 2: That is a totally sweet idea. When does it come out and how much?
Executive 1: Well we're developing it now, so no word on release date. But judging by how much other companies charge for race car stuff, it's safe to say that it won't be cheap.
Executive 2: Awesome. AMD Live! has no idea what's coming.

Fin.

[Frank @ Jun 30th 2006 10:37AM]

It looks like an arcade steering wheel with highlighter caps stuck to the top...

[slack-jawed-reader @ Jun 30th 2006 10:38AM]

I don't even know what to say about this... Those really are marker caps, right?

[mshot @ Jun 30th 2006 10:40AM]

haha

[delerious @ Jun 30th 2006 10:45AM]

Woooooooooooooo, suede!

[Eli @ Jun 30th 2006 11:00AM]

Well, Intel's been on such a roll lately with the Core Duos and Conroe and whatnot, they had to do something screwy at some point... Why not make a small screw up deliberately, and prevent another Pentium 4 M :P

[Paul-Michael Bauer @ Jun 30th 2006 11:01AM]

I needs a cup-holder.

[srw985 @ Jun 30th 2006 11:01AM]

wtf?

[kaybee @ Jun 30th 2006 11:07AM]

this is great.

[robotrock @ Jun 30th 2006 11:08AM]

Those blue switches look like marker caps.

[1334 @ Jun 30th 2006 11:09AM]

they should add the shift pads (triggers on under side) that would make cool volume or channel controls.

btw.. is this going to be motion activated like the wiimote?

[lankysob @ Jun 30th 2006 11:14AM]

Can I sue Intel when I hit the brakes and bust my head open on their logo - the spot where the airbag should be?

[Buthidae @ Jun 30th 2006 11:28AM]

*applauds*

[Fred @ Jun 30th 2006 11:36AM]

Totally Highlighter caps. Maybe that's what they were sniffing when they designed this thing?

[steve browne @ Jun 30th 2006 11:41AM]

Thank God the people involved with this work for a private business and not Government.

[neXus @ Jun 30th 2006 11:54AM]

I can see the slogan now: "Change channels at blistering speeds, just like an F1 champ!" ('cept there aren't any over at the BMW camp)

[Antemeridian @ Jun 30th 2006 12:07PM]

Hey, there's a former champion at the BMW camp, he's just taking his time getting back to the top of his game.

[Craig @ Jun 30th 2006 12:16PM]

Woooooo! That looks cool.

[Mike H @ Jun 30th 2006 2:31PM]

What shoe size will the accompying foot pedals be?

[Dignan17 @ Jun 30th 2006 2:59PM]

Are there seriously ONLY knobs on this thing? How do you control all your devices with ONLY KNOBS? Who the hell designed this? This is possibly the ugliest thing I've ever seen for consumer purchase, even beating out the Pontiac Aztec.

[Adam @ Jun 30th 2006 3:22PM]

Will it be $30,000 like the real thing?

[Sparky @ Jun 30th 2006 3:25PM]

That's pretty cool looking, but seeing as I'm a dog and don't have thumbs, I'll just wait for the dumbed down version.

[Sam @ Jun 30th 2006 4:02PM]

Not so fast Sparky!
The design of this beauty lends itself to the quadraped as well. Once you get your claws on those sweet caps, cheap dials and lego inspired switches, you'll be in doggie heaven.

bow freakin wow

[TeleCustom @ Jun 30th 2006 4:32PM]

Adam, I hope your $30,000 isn't in reference to an F1 car...$30k is probably gas and tyre costs for one race...

[JSFORBES @ Jun 30th 2006 6:15PM]

As stupid as it is, I would probably buy one if I have the dough.

[Cliksingles.com @ Jul 1st 2006 8:35PM]

Is it me or are the big blue knobs the caps from a permanent markers?

[eshock @ Jul 5th 2006 5:37PM]

Really funny dialogue, Engadget Team. I especially like the AMD Live comment. Here's my idea of killer app... replace scroll wheel nav with steering wheel nav.

[Ronald J Riley @ Jul 9th 2006 9:49PM]

Intel has not been innovative for a long time so I cannot help but wonder if Intel borrowed this. Could the product be a new case of patent piracy? Intel has a reputation for coveting others intellectual property.

They are a mostly washed up tech company which is suffering form the same kind of problems the auto companies have. I will be surprised if they last another decade.

Ronald J Riley, President
Professional Inventors Alliance
www.PIAUSA.org
RJR"at"PIAUSA.org
Change "at" to @
RJR Direct # [phone]

[william scott esq. @ Jul 16th 2006 12:57PM]

About the above comment by Ronald J. Riley; to say that Intel is "washed up" and will only last another 10 years is about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Has Mr. Riley ever heard of cyclical downturns? Notice the detailed promotional information he includes about his organization that constantly asks for donations.

[william scott esq. @ Jul 16th 2006 4:38PM]

And a question for Ronald J. Riley: What specific information do you have that allows you to accuse Intel of "pirating" this specific product? What are your sources? Where can I verify this information? or are you just prattling on about nothing?