I have owned too many universal remotes. The One For All remotes are the best, apart from requiring cleaning every couple of years under the rubber mat, they always have more features than other remotes and don't feel like they're about to break if I treat them too badly. If they keep up the quality and features that they have in the past 7 years I'll never get any other. I mean really, try to find another remote that has PIP buttons, and macros so that you can with one button turn on pip, switch the remote to VCR and another button to swap-pipoff and switch back to tv. Sure it's all relic stuff, but for 15$ there was no other option.

You failed to mention that all of the One for All remotes are JP1.x capable remotes. For me, That's the most important factor of everything. Using a JP1.x cable connected to your PC, you can program virtually anything into the remote. Even discrete codes not supported by the OEM remote. Features you can only dream of doing with a Logitech remote at any cost.

We've been using the Harmony 525 for the best part of two years now, and while it took a little bit of time to get used to the activity-oriented setup, (rather than the device-oriented setup for most universal remotes), it has been very good. What is frustrating is that there is no feedback from the controlled device - IR controlling is purely one-way and BlueTooth isn't universal enough. But that would be true with any universal remote. On having to set up again every time the batteries run out? It hasn't happened yet in those two years of use, but then I don't need to pop to the shops to get new batteries when one set are empty. Rechargeable batteries are where it's at and with their charging time you always need spare sets.

When will they start using nvram like flash to store the programing. These memories have been around as long as the remote, yet you still have to reprogram them anytime the batteries are changed. And you are sure to loose the manual between battery changes.

It seems that the macros use the four coloured keys. This seems a bit harsh! So once youve reprogrammed 'red' to be dvd-off tv-off then that is it the red key is no longer the red key and any UI stuff that uses the red key won't work.

...is the Sony RM-VL610. For @ $15 through Amazon you get a learning, macro remote with fashion colored back plates that looks great when the remote is sitting keys down on the table.
Easy to program, fantastic range, well laid out....did I mention it looks cool too?

Logitech's range includes remotes like the 525 that can be had for £35 and do everything the more expensive models do with mono screen. More importantly however they are NOT macro remotes, it's cleverer than that, it recalls the current state of your various devices and when you switch to a different mode knows what needs to stay on and what needs to switch off. For instance if I switch to 'Play CD' where I was previously playing on my XBOX it would know the amp needs to stay on but switch channels, the Xbox need switching off and the CD player switching on. A stupid Macro remote would send a power toggle command to the amp and end up turning it off. Logitech's focus on 'Activities' mean that those in your household who don't get the complexities of your set-up simply don't need to know, no more 'What channel does this box need to be on?' questions, the catch is you need to hide the original remotes so you are only using the one and it knows what's going on.

Basic universal remote controls can be got from Poundland for £1. While not as fully featured as the ones in the article they are still adequate for most uses and are FAR CHEAPER than the ones in this article.

I can't even think of spending a small fortune for a remote. I will do just what I did about 10 years ago, get off my fat lazy butt to change the channel or start my vcr or dvd. I am old enough to remember when there where no such thing as remotes. I have never seen a universal that did everything it claims anyway.
Learning remote sometimes work and trying to find the latest codes for item can be almost impossibles. Ad to the problem of who makes what name brand anymore gets to be more trouble than whats it's worth. I did have one $15.00 one-for-all remote that did work well, that's about what is worth to me.
I will just clutter up my coffee table with other junk anyway.And when you universal remote can't set your clock or program a time recording you then have to find the one you just put away.