The name is derived from one of my favorite beers, Three Floyds Alpha King Pale Ale. The design makes heavy use of Alpha channel transparency, allowing every button and panel to take on the color and texture of the main background image. This allows a user to completely change the look and feel simply by changing one background graphic – zero button modifications required. The idea is to have quick and simple modification without having to redesign every single graphic. Included are multiple button designs (flat and rounded) in a large array of sizes and shapes. Shadow effects make the buttons appear to float above the panel; the buttons appear to sink when depressed.

The Alpha King Brew design also shows “the art of the possible” for the Pronto Pro should Philips decide to expand the feature set. This design includes mock-ups for potential features, such as 2-way control of Windows Media Center (with Cover Art download) and Sonos (through uPnP) as well as the ability to read RSS News Feeds from any Internet source. Also included is a mock-up of a PC application that parses Internet Movie Database results and sends them to the Pronto Pro (assuming that Philips releases 2-way communication protocols to third party developers.)

FOURTH RUNNER UP! This .XCF is designed to be a file that would be delivered to an end user. It is all activity based with only the buttons and functions available that are required for using the system.

It controls a simple 2 zone audio system and is an actual working file. All control of the video display is performed by macros, there is no need for a receiver or TV control page as their functions are accessed by punch through commands or the macros themselves. All items not considered critical to the daily use of the system have been hidden.

It uses the serial extender and is operating both the Lutron Radio Ra system and an Escient fireball. The Escient unit is duplicated in order to allow operation in 2 different zones with different macros and volume codes for each zone. When in the Fireball interface, pressing menu takes you to a page using the standard video interface and IR commands for advanced functions such as recording, random play modes, setup, options and more as those functions are not available in the pre written interface. All power is switched on using the activity macros. The power button on the remote accesses a power page... (more)