Looks like Comcast is jumping into the remote PVR game with both feet. They demoed it on an iPad at the NCTA show Right now its just a prototype of a web-based remote control that will extend the interactive programming guide to many IP-enabled devices. It’s called the Xfinity Remote and it enables you to search for your favorite shows and movies on television and video on demand, change the channel on your cable box right from your iPad, and set your DVR remotely.
The app looks very simple and easy-to-use and you can even chat with friends and share recommendations.
Sounds pretty cool. If you haven’t seen the demo yet take a look at this video.
Sling Media last year put together something similar for the Slingbox called SlingGuide and announced it back at CES2009. Here was the video they made about it back then.
Some of you old time Slingers may recognize the spokesperson. 
Wonder if the SlingGuide will work on an iPad.
We didn’t hear too much about it until the Sling Media announced a year later that Bell TV in Canada was going to offer the SlingGuide service. You can see a demo of it here.
At first you may think these kind of things are not really needed or maybe just silly to have all that available on your phone when you can just look at the menu on your TV. But how many times has someone been watching a program on the TV when you want to stop and look something up or schedule a recording. If you are TV junkies like we are it happens quite often. With this you don’t need to interrupt someones viewing you can just do it on your iPad right there and right away.
Plus the social aspect of the application sounds like fun.
Comcast is putting together several cool products that help you find, discover and watch content: FancastXfinityTV.com, and a Comcast iPhone app that you can download for free from the Apple app store.
The Xfinity Remote just takes this functionality to a whole new level and I am sure other companies won’t be far behind.
I don’t know if anyone has noticed, but if you read this blog after today, Comcast has released the next phase of their iPad tools which is called “TV Everywhere.” Comcast only allow the viewing to be used at home currently. Although it is wireless, and convenient in that way, most people would rather watch anywhere, including me. I bought a Sling adapter for my 722 receiver I got for working for DISH Network and I can watch TV on my HTC phone and go anywhere I have internet service. I can even use it on my 3G network which Comcast subscribers cannot until a new app is released later. I’m sure new developments will arise but right now DISH seems to have a better presentation of “Everywhere.”