Previewed at last year's CEDIA Expo, Savant has officially released the Savant Select handheld remote control, which merges an iPod Touch with traditional hard buttons. The original press release is included below.

SAVANT Introduces the Savant Select Remote Control

Osterville, MA. September 5th, 2011—Savant Systems LLC, having delivered the first Apple®-based home automation and commercial control system, has announced the introduction of the Savant® Select™ remote control. The Savant Select™ is an entirely new approach to state-of-the art whole-home control, blending the modern functionality of an integrated 4th generation iPod touch® with traditional backlit buttons and essential navigation keys. This makes the Savant Select easy and comfortable for everyone to use while delivering the most exciting control options of any smart remote to date.

Savant Select delivers all of the functionality of a touchpanel in a sleek and convenient hand held remote. And with the presence feature, Savant Select can easily be used as a full-function controller in any room. Set-up is fast and efficient using Savant’s Blueprint™ configuration tool—this powerful remote eliminates the tedious programming associated with other smart remote solutions.

Savant Select does it all—from simple TV or cable box operation in any room to complete two-way home automation of intelligent lighting, climate, home theater, whole-house audio, security, network cameras—any home appliance connected to a Savant Smart System. This groundbreaking remote device takes full advantage of Savant’s award-winning TrueContol II app, which transforms the iPod touch® and iPhone® into the ultimate remote for your Savant SmartSystem. Savant Select has been ergonomically balanced for a comfortable fit and delivers immediate system access with a few taps or swipes of the 3.5-inch color Multi-Touch™ Retina touch display or through logically positioned backlit buttons and navigation keys.

Savant Select is also compatible with TrueCommand, Savant’s renowned On-TV menu system overlaid onto live HD video. Paired with TrueCommand, Savant Select provides heads-up navigation, browsing and selection of multimedia content and other services easily and efficiently. By using TrueCommand in tandem with Savant Select, users can intuitively navigate and switch to any device in the home. Savant Select includes an elegant low-profile charging base to dock and charge the remote.

Savant Select incorporates a number of innovative core features including:

• 3.5-inch Multi-Touch™ Retina display
• 960 x 640 pixel resolution Wireless communication, 802.11b/g/n 31 backlit buttons including essential navigation keys
• Dynamic graphics and elegant interface Ergonomic design permits effortless operation
• Multi-tasking—switch from TrueControl to thousands of Apps Wireless video streams from network cameras
• Elegant matching charging base Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery pack Savant Select is configured using RacePoint Blueprint
• The Savant Select remote is available now through authorized Savant dealers.

See the Savant Select at CEDIA 2011, booth 4825