Just in case pushing the buttons on the remote has become too much of a chore… Irish-based company Amulet Devices has come up with the Amulet Remote, a voice-activated controller.

Designed specifically for Vista Media Center, the remote allows users to record and watch TV, listen to music and view DVDs, photos and videos—all through the power of speech.

The unit has a built-in microphone. So all you have to say is something like, “Watch Program Deadliest Catch” or “Record Program Dexter,” and you’re all set. On the music side, as long as the artist is loaded into your system, you can shout it out. You can even ask the unit to “Name That Tune” and it will answer back in your typical monotone robot voice.

Of course, if you feel like working those finger muscles, the unit has standard hard buttons as well.

Check out what $299 will buy you, in the video below. The Amulet remote is expected to ship in March.

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.