Digital Home Thoughts: Amulet Devices Release Voice Activated Remote Control

"Voice control of Windows Media Center isn't anything new, however, a fairly new company is getting in the game with a novel voice activated remote called the Amulet Remote (it's actually their 2nd generation product - see 1st gen. here), which is expected retail for $249. The remote looks just about like every other Windows Media Center remote on the market, but this one has a built-in microphone that lights up when held vertically to take commands. To get it working all you need to do is insert its companion USB dongle to your HTPC and install Amulet Devices' setup software that will catalog your photo slideshows, music, movies/videos, and TV recordings. Once everything is in place you can access content, record programming, jump within video timelines, skip ads, and more just by using your voice. (UPDATED) The catch, however, is you'll have to navigate your content through Amulet Devices' Media Center app to gain the full benefit of the product, though it does work with the native Media Center UI. If this sounds like something you'd like to add to your home theater setup, Missing Remote has a comprehensive review of the remote that you may want to check out before you buy. A video clip of the Amulet Remote in action is attached below."

I'm not a big fan of voice activation in anything, mainly because for some reason it never seem to be able to recognise what I am saying. I assume it's my accent that causes the problem, but I usually end up manually doing whatever I am asking for myself. I'm sure this will work for some people though, and I'm sure it will work well, but will putting the remote horizontal and saying 'Play!' be any quicker than actually pressing the play button?