Universal Electronics said it is introducing a remote control for Apple TV developed and designs for multichannel video program distributors.

Unlike Apple’s minimalist remote, Universal Electronics' device is optimized for live TV experiences, including quick access to electronic program guides and channel control buttons.

“We’re excited that customers worldwide will soon be able to enjoy this new remote, designed specifically for the growing number of MVPDs offering Apple TV 4K to their subscribers,” said Paul Arling, CEO of Universal Electronics Inc. “This remote offers convenient features to quickly access the EPG or channel surf live programming available through the MVPD’s app on Apple TV 4K.”

Universal’s new remote combines Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity together with Infrared to provide universal control.

MVPDs that offer Apple TV 4K can begin placing orders for this remote in late December. MVPDs will be able to introduce the new remote together with Apple TV 4K as they roll it out.

In addition to integrating with MVPD offerings, the new Apple TV accessory features:

Search & Control: Customers can ask Siri to find and access content across live TV and streaming apps

Controls for Live TV: Dedicated program guide and channel keys provide easy and instant access to key live TV viewing functions

Entertainment System Control: Modeless support and universal control of Apple TV, as well as televisions and audio devices from any brand or manufacturer

Reliable and Secure Communication: Integrated design with UE878, UEI’s reliable and highly integrated BLE chipset optimized for voice control, and Apple’s MFi authentication chip for secure connectivity with Apple TV

Automated Backlit Keys: Accelerometer and ambient light sensor to automatically backlight keys in low light environments when the remote is picked up or moved

MVPD Branding: Service providers can add their own company brand on the remote

Universal Electronics, a maker of remote control and smart home technologies, said it’s diving deeper into the IoT pool by putting up $9 million in cash to acquire “certain assets” of RCS Technology, a maker of energy management and control products for the residential, commercial and hospitality sectors.

UEI said the deal include RCS’s product lines, inventory, intellectual property, engineering and development resources, sales and distribution relationships, and other assets used in its communication and smart thermostat business.

In addition to the $9 million up front, the financial terms include other incentive-based cash consideration to be paid over the next five years, they said. UEI plans to operate RCS as a wholly-owned subsidiary and market the energy monitoring, thermostat, sensor products and services under RCS brands.

UEI, a key supplier to Comcast and other video and smart home service providers, said the deal will broaden its portfolio of home sensing, monitoring and control products by adding programmable communicating thermostats, advanced HVAC controls, and in-home displays and user interfaces.

RELATED: UEI, Comcast Sign Warrants Agreement

RCS’s customers include ADT and Nexia Home Automation Systems. Its portfolio uses a variety of connectivity technologies, including Z-Wave, ZigBee and WiFi.

“RCS represents another important step toward our goal to be the leader in control and sensing technologies for the smart home,” Paul Arling, UEI's chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “This acquisition builds on our existing business with original equipment manufacturers in HVAC, giving us an expanded capability in delivering traditional and wireless thermostats, room air controllers, and wireless remotes to customers such as Daikin, Fujitsu and Panasonic.  The addition of RCS brings new smart thermostat, sensing and monitoring products to our international market through our global sales, manufacturing, and distribution channels.”

Universal Electronics Inc., a maker of universal remote controls and smart home technologies, said it has entered a warrants agreement with Comcast as an extension of the vendor’s arrangement to develop new products in partnership with the MSO.

The agreement follows a development and supply collaboration renewed this year, in which UEI supplies the voice remote for Comcast’s X1 platform. UEI said it’s also positioned to provide products for Xfinity Home, the MSO’s home security and automation service, as well.

“In anticipation of continued sales growth, Comcast now has the opportunity to acquire shares of capital stock from UEI tied to the potential fulfillment of pre-defined purchase milestones under the terms of the warrants agreement,” UEI said.

More details were revealed in this SEC filing, which shows that Comcast has a warrant to purchase up to 725,000 shares of UEI’s common stock, "par value $0.01 per share (the 'Common Stock')," with an exercise price per Warrant Share of $54.55. The warrant provides for “certain adjustments” that could be made to the exercise price and the number of shares issuable due to “customary anti-dilution provisions based on future corporate events.”

UEI shares were trading at $57.83 each, up $2.33 (4.2%), in late afternoon trading Wednesday.

Per the SEC filing, Comcast’s right to exercise the Warrant is subject to vesting during three successive two-year periods, with the first two-year period commencing on January 1, 2016, during which Comcast must purchase (in each two-year period) no less than $260,000,000 in goods and services from UEI and its affiliates.

To vest in all of the Warrant Shares, Comcast and its affiliates must purchase an aggregate of $1,020,000,000 in goods and services from the vendor during the six-year vesting period. The Warrant will be exercisable with respect to vested Warrant Shares, in whole or in part, at any time prior to January 1, 2023.

“This agreement represents a major milestone in our history,” Paul Arling, chairman and CEO of Universal Electronics, said in a statement. “We are privileged to have helped Comcast’s X1 redefine the entertainment viewing experience, and we are now positioned to provide innovative products across XFINITY Home as well.”

Update: UEI is supplying Comcast with an electronic keypad for Xfinity Home, per an FCC document found by The Donohue Report. 

Comcast has deployed more than 5 million X1 voice remotes since last May, company chairman and CEO Brian  Roberts said at the recent Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in San Francisco.

“That’s the fastest ramp of any product we’ve ever done,” he said, noting that the heaviest users of that product use it “a couple hundred times a week.” 

Universal Electronics, one of the pay-TV industry’s top suppliers of remote controls and home systems, is diving deeper into the smart home market through an acquisition of Ecolink Intelligent Technology.

UEI said it’s acquiring Ecolink’s assets for approximately $12.4 million in cash, plus incentive-based cash consideration to be paid over the next five years.

UEI said Ecolink’s acquired assets include over 25 issued and pending patents, and other related intellectual property and assets used in its smart home, wireless security and home automation business. 

UEI intends to operate the acquired business as a wholly-owned subsidiary and market the home security and automation products and services under Ecolink brands and trademarks. UEI said the deal will enable it to extend its reach into traditional home security and consumer/do-it-yourself channels that are now served by Ecolink's products and solutions. 

“We are very excited to bring the Ecolink team under the UEI umbrella,” Paul Arling, UEI’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “The team at Ecolink has some of the industry’s leading experts in the wireless sensor market and a track record of bringing creative, innovative and high performing products to market. Ecolink’s expertise in wireless security and home automation technology will bring a new level of compatibility to the industry to enable sensors throughout the home to work together seamlessly.”

Parks Associates estimates that cable and telco providers have gained a 14% share of professionally-monitored security systems in U.S. broadband households.