Xcrool

So I was browsing through our YouTube channel, and noticed that we had not posted an interview from the 2014 International CES. Strange. So I watched it, and instantly realized why. This is a very odd product. Meet the Xcrool, one of BT.com’s Five gadgets you’ll never need:

Xcrool 1

To quote from Xcrool’s website, some of the features of the remote include:

  • “xcrool is the only TV remote in the world that replaced the push-buttons with scroller-gilders
  • xcrool treats your thumbs to a feather glide scroll (only 10 grams per square inch of force vs. 200 on others)
  • xcrool’s anti-gravity roller scroller is a quantum leap from the gravity-heavy push-buttons of ordinary remotes.
  • Closed Eyes Proof – when you really need to tone it down fast at night xcrool can do it even with your eyes closed.”

Say what? So it is a remote that replaces the volume and channel buttons with a wheel? I can not tell whether the company is for real or not. In their press section on their website, Xcrool links to an article from USA Today entitled,”CES 2014: The Bogus Brief: A list of new tech from CES that made us shake our heads.” The article describes the Xcrool as such:

We’ve never had much trouble channel surfing, but hey. So far as we can tell this is your traditional, run-of-the-mill, rubberized volume and channel rockers. Makes sense. Xcrool’s press material even cited Time magazine’s 2013 Global Survey that placed the remote control—not Xcrool’s, the remote control—as the fourth most useful invention of all time. No brownie points for a remake. There’s also a question of pronunciation. Ex crool? Scroll? Schkrool? Who knows?

Anyhow, we had a chance to see the Xcrool in person, and still have no idea if it is a serious product: