Hama has announced a new 8-in-1 universal remote control that can optimize your home entertainment system and save you the occasional hunt for new batteries. The German accessory maker uses Exeger's Powerfoyle solar cell technology, so the remote will stay powered as long as it is regularly exposed to light.
Details about what types of remote controls Hama's 8-in-1 can replace have not yet been announced, but the power generated by the solar cell on top of the remote will be stored in a supercapacitor rather than a battery. The remote is expected to be available starting in the second quarter of 2025 for €29.99, or around $33.
The company also plans to simultaneously launch an alternative to Samsung's own solar-powered Bluetooth remote, which will cost €39.99, or around $47. Hama's version offers all the features of the Samsung remote, including voice assistant, but positions the solar panel on the top of the remote rather than the bottom, so you don't have to remember to flip it over to power it.
Unlike the solar panels used to charge large backup batteries that work best in direct sunlight, Exeger's solar technology can power smaller devices using a room's ambient light, even if it's just a lamp. The company's flexible Powerfoyle solar cells have already been integrated into products like wireless headphones, earbuds and speakers by companies like Urbanista, but are particularly well suited to devices like remote controls that use much less power.