While the Xbox One Media Remote got revealed prematurely last week thanks to an Amazon.com page leak, today Microsoft officially announced its plans to release the newest accessory for its latest game console. The remote control will go on sale globally in early March, with U.S. residents paying $24.99 for the device.
The Xbox Wire website has more details on the Media Remote, which Microsoft says has a "soft, silicone finish". It offers users control over both streaming video from the console as well as Blu-ray movie discs. The top of the remote contains both Back and OneGuide buttons, the latter of which lets users access movies and TV shows via the Xbox One"s Program Guide.
The Media Remote also controls the television"s power and volume via the Kinect add-on and its IR blaster feature. Microsoft adds, "As soon as you pick up the remote, the motion-activated backlit buttons illuminate, allowing it to be used in the darkest of rooms while playing games, watching TV shows, movies and more." Basically, the remote is designed to be a replacement for the Xbox One"s controller if you use the console more as an entertainment set-top box than a gaming machine.
Source: Microsoft | Image via Microsoft