As we all know, sometimes looks can be deceiving. When I received the Loop Pointer from Hillcrest Labs, the plastic, molded packaging was nondescript, more akin to something off the rack at a big box retailer. Once opened, the Loop Pointer remote began to strut its own stuff and displayed the qualities which made it an Innovations Award winner at CES.
Like most “air” remotes that are distinctly wireless in nature, the Loop Pointer relies on a USB receiver which plugs into the computer, PS3, or AppleTV device. Once the receiver was plugged into my Mac mini, the remote simply worked. Like I did with the GlideTV Navigator before, I used the Mac OSX “System Preferences” and “Universal Access” settings to increase the size of the cursor to aid in viewing from across the room. Hillcrest Labs also recommends that you enable the on-screen keyboard to help in entering text, etc.
The Loop Pointer utilizes Hillcrest Labs’ Freespace technology which basically is an embedded processor with various sensors to allow a full range of motions (even slight ones) to control screen actions, in other words an “air mouse”. The technology is not only in the Pointer product but also a similar Cordless Air Mouse offered by Logitech. I have to say the technology brings “the goods” and works as advertised. Because the Loop Pointer is essentially as its name implies, a loop, it feels comfortable in the hand and it is very easy to navigate around the screen. As with any new, unfamiliar remote device, it does take some time to get accustomed to the sensitivity of the Pointer and the fact that you don’t need to make large, sweeping motions to cover the screen’s real estate. The Loop Pointer works best when moving it slightly with your wrist. Furthermore, the Pointer also does not need to be aimed directly at the screen or USB receiver.
There are only four basic buttons on the Loop Pointer. They function as they would in whatever program you are using or as defined by the operating system. For example, the left button can be used to select items or to “double-click when necessary. Obviously, the scrollwheel can be used for scrolling in an application such as an Internet browser or TV guide. The right button can execute a right-click. The other buttons are an “On/Off” button which can be handy to power down the device for travel and a “Hide” button which disables the Loop Pointer without powering it down.
The Loop Pointer is smooth and very responsive in all applications and within system menus. Again, I was testing it for use in an HTPC (Home Theater PC) environment and it did not disappoint there either. I was able to navigate through all Plex menus and make appropriate selections. (Note: It still suffered from the same issue as the GlideTV Navigator as I could not make a selection from the outermost menu of Plex – I am wondering if it is a software issue or not meant to be activated with a mouse click). Also, using Hulu Desktop was a breeze with the Loop Pointer, especially using the built-in scrollwheel to navigate among larger selection lists. The only thing I can recommend for Mac mini (or OSX users) is to not set the Dock to “auto-hide”. Maybe it is an issue particular to me, but I found it tiring to use the Loop Pointer to navigate to the bottom of the screen and select an application as the Dock appeared – the remote seemed a bit finicky and uncooperative at those moments.
One thing I would liked to have seen the Loop Pointer include is an application for the “10-foot-view”. Basically, a full-size customizable menu where I could easily launch my most popular applications or initiate media searches from the comfort of my La-Z-Boy. This is where the GlideTV Navigator stands apart from the Pointer and other remotes. I will give the Pointer the benefit of the doubt because I believe it is being marketed as “Mouse for your TV” and not exclusively an HTPC remote.
Regardless, the Loop Pointer is a powerful unit which works as advertised, directly out of the packaging. In these times of confusing setup routines, driver installations, and frustrating documentation, the Loop Pointer is miles ahead of most consumer electronic devices because you can have it installed and working in mere moments. Then, it does as it should and gets out of the way and lets you focus on your entertainment choices.
Images 3,4 courtesy of Hillcrest Labs’s web site
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