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Apparently one of the more annoying inconveniences of the PS3 will be sticking around for another generation.
A Sony representative confirmed to CNET that the PS4 cannot receive infrared (IR) remote control commands, which means it won’t work with a traditional universal remote such as the Logitech Harmony 650. We were also unable to find an IR receptor on our PS4 review unit, and Sony says the PS4 Eye camera can’t receive IR commands either.
It’s an irksome omission, especially for a living room device that can play Blu-ray movies and stream video from services like Netflix, where some (including me) find a traditional remote easier to use. In fact, the lack of an IR receiver on the PS3 resulted in an entirely new subgenre of products — the IR-to-Bluetooth converter box — culminating in dedicated PS3 support from some universal remotes, such as the Logitech Harmony Smart Control.
The problem may be less of an issue this generation, however, especially if Logitech adds direct PS4 control to the Harmony Smart Control. Sony is also planning to sell a Bluetooth remote control, similar to what the company offered for the PS3. Sony has already confirmed the PS3 remote will not be compatible with the PS4.
For all those keeping score at home, the Xbox One is capable of receiving IR commands, although it has its own nitpicky limitations, such as not being able to play 3D Blu-ray movies at launch.
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