I was born in the ’80s, so it goes without saying that remotes were my primary way of interacting with electronics for quite a while. I used to love the Logitech Harmony line of universal remotes and still have a few of the later models lying around. However, when Logitech exited the market, it left a bit of a void. Enter Cantata, an ambitious startup with French, Indian, and Chinese roots, which has unveiled the Haptique RS90—a premium universal remote that promises to revolutionize how we interact with our smart homes. While there are still a few growing pains, what I’ve seen so far delivers in a way that few other options have achieved.
Opening the box, I was immediately impressed with the device’s design. The Cantata Haptique RS90 Universal Remote catches the eye with its sleek aluminum construction, bearing a striking resemblance to a modernized Motorola RAZR—though it does not flip closed. Available in light silver and gunmetal grey finishes, the remote features an elegant, angled design that balances form and function perfectly. The 3.1-inch display serves as the centrepiece, complemented by thoughtfully placed physical buttons that provide satisfying tactile feedback.
As a rechargeable device, it comes with a stylish charging base that looks fantastic when the remote is docked. The RGB lights on the front of the Cantata Haptique RS90 Universal Remote add a refined touch, giving it the feel of a high-end showpiece while still fitting seamlessly into most entertainment centres and modern TV setups. Cantata has struck a solid balance between modern sensibilities and the classic remote design many of us know and love.
Unlike many universal remotes in the past, the RS90 is equipped with actual hardware that allows it to run Android and function much smarter than competing options. The remote comes with a quad-core ARM processor, 1 GB of RAM, and 8 GB of flash storage. Its more advanced sibling, the RS90X, features an octa-core processor, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of storage, and an upgraded OLED display replacing the RS90’s LCD panel. These specifications not only enable the device to handle its default features seamlessly but also allow for future upgrades as new functionalities are introduced.
“The Cantata Haptique RS90 Universal Remote catches the eye with its sleek aluminum construction…”
When combined with its connectivity options, the Haptique RS90 becomes an impressive piece of technology. The remote can emit infrared signals, connect via Bluetooth, and interact with ZigBee smart home ecosystems. The RS90X takes this further with Bluetooth 5.0 support compared to the RS90’s 4.2 version. In practical terms, this means the Haptique RS90 is ready to connect with nearly any device you might want to control. While it doesn’t currently support all smart devices, it’s likely that compatibility could be added in the future. However, this review focuses solely on the remote’s current capabilities.
Out of the box, the Haptique RS90 features a relatively extensive set of compatible devices. During testing, we evaluated its performance with various devices in our office, including smart lights, smart speakers, and multiple TVs and entertainment systems. For the most part, if a device used infrared and was relatively modern, it was supported. However, there were a few exceptions, such as an older laser disc player that could not be made to work. That said, all TVs and stereos in the office functioned without issue.
On the smart device side, the experience was mixed. The Haptique RS90 currently works with platforms such as Sonos, Philips Hue, and a few other smart devices, but many major players, including Govee, Nanoleaf, and Roku, are not yet supported. According to Cantata, these platforms are actively being developed, but as of this writing, they are not yet available. Additionally, the company has devices like game consoles and Samsung SmartThings on its road map, but since these features have not been released, we were unable to test them or evaluate how they will function.
Setting up the Haptique RS90 is relatively straightforward. Once the remote is charged, you load the app, sync your devices, and begin programming them. The software comes preloaded with a range of brands, and the app’s interface makes adding devices relatively simple. However, there is currently no option to program your old remote into the base model Haptique RS90. The company has indicated that add-on devices to enable this functionality may be available in the future.
Once in the app, adding new devices takes just a few minutes, provided they are included in the database. From the main menu, you can choose the type of device you want to add, and after finding the brand and model, you simply select it from the list. While the database doesn’t cover every device currently available, the list of modern devices appeared robust, and setup is as straightforward as selecting the device and confirming it works with the remote.
To maximize the app’s functionality, it’s helpful to add devices to specific rooms and then incorporate them into sequences. This enables actions such as watching TV or listening to music, where the remote automatically powers on and configures each device as needed to get you started. Anyone familiar with using a Harmony remote will recognize this feature and understand how satisfying it is to see everything work seamlessly once configured.
Using the Haptique RS90 is relatively straightforward, especially given the extensive range of features it offers. The platform allows users to group devices into rooms, making it easy to control individual devices or interact with them through programmed routines. During testing, I experimented with a variety of devices and programmed specific commands to test the more advanced features. Once I became familiar with the system, I found it surprisingly intuitive and easy to navigate.
The Haptique RS90’s interface combines touchscreen functionality with physical buttons, offering the best of both worlds. As users switch between activities, such as streaming Netflix or listening to Spotify, the display adapts to show context-specific controls. This dynamic interface ensures users always have access to the most relevant functions for their current activity.
I will say that if you’re looking for a simple, pick-up-and-use remote, the RS90 may not be the best option. Even during testing, it feels designed for users who want their remote to serve as the command centre for all the technology in their home. It is built to control a range of devices and is optimized for use in a multi-device, room-based environment. If you’re looking for a remote to control just one device without worrying about sequences or managing multiple devices simultaneously, this may not be the best choice for you.
The company claims the RS90 offers approximately 30 hours of battery life, while the RS90X extends this to 48 hours—a claim I found to be mostly accurate. Battery performance will vary depending on the amount of screen time and the level of RGB lighting you set for the remote during use or while idle. When I tested the remote with all settings at maximum, it lasted just under a day, which is slightly shorter than I would have preferred. However, charging was quick and convenient, with the cradle providing a noticeable boost in a short amount of time. Both models include a charging base, ensuring the remotes are always ready for use.
I walked in skeptical, but excited about the Haptique RS90, and having tested it, I am generally impressed. With its blend of premium hardware, extensive compatibility, and innovative features, the Haptique RS90 positions itself as a serious contender in the universal remote market. While its feature road map is still coming to fruition, the comprehensive feature set it has on hand and premium build quality suggest Cantata is targeting users who prioritize quality and functionality over cost. As it continues to evolve it will only get better, and even in its present state it does more than most people would need.
I was disappointed when the Harmony brand was gradually discontinued, but the Haptique RS90 carries that legacy forward in a new and innovative way. As smart homes become increasingly complex, the need for unified control solutions is becoming more urgent. The Haptique RS90 seems well-positioned to address this demand, though its long-term success will depend on Cantata’s ability to fulfill its promises and maintain a robust ecosystem of supported devices and services. I am still unsure how integral the Haptique RS90 will become to my entertainment experience, but even in its current form, the remote offers enough functionality to make it an essential part of enjoying entertainment. I look forward to seeing how it evolves in the coming months and years.
