Philips kills Pronto remote range as iPad apps dominate home control

from Home cinema and TV reviews | Home Cinema Choice

Despite its popularity with system installers as an alternative to Crestron products, Philips has announced that it is to end production of its Pronto system controller range.

The company issued a press statement which read in part: "In December 2009, Philips announced the intention to relocate some of its existing remote control activities in Leuven, Belgium to Asia. At the same time, the intention was communicated to investigate alternative strategic options for the Pronto business, as this activity no longer fits with the Philips strategy. Following thorough research, no suitable partner was found for the acquisition of these activities. As such, Philips confirms today that it will discontinue the Pronto product line and related activities."

Philips said it plans to offer support to users of the existing line. Ironically, the announcement comes weeks after Philips launched its latest Pronto product, the TSW9500 in-wall touchscreen, at CEDIA EXPO in Atlanta, as well as relaunching the website for the line (which at the time of writing is still working here).

It seems clear that competition fromiPhone/iPad-based control apps is gradually killing the market for expensive dedicated system controllers; we wouldn't be surprised to hear similar announcements from other system controller specialists soon.