This has been quite a week for waterproof remotes. And just in time for winter, thank goodness…

It began last Thursday when we learned from Ubergizmo and Tech Fresh that Sony is launching a colorful line of waterproof remotes in Japan on September 10. The completely waterproof remote, the Sony RM-PZ3SD,  will sell for $29.

We considered writing a post on the news last week, but we weren’t convinced it was newsworthy until yesterday when Pantel announced the second amphibious remote control we’ve seen in less than seven days.  And Pantel’s remote floats, so you can just let it drift around in the Jacuzzi.

It isn’t really in the same league as the Sony remote though. There’s no need for a floating Pantel remote unless you have a Pantel weatherproof HDTV, which run between $2,999 and $25,999.

Public opinion on waterproof remotes is mixed. “Add Sony Remotes to the List of things Man Never Needed to Waterproof,” says Gizmodo’s Mark Wilson.

Pocket-lint’s Stuart Miles appears to be enthusiastic about the concept; although there’s a possibility we didn’t pick up on his sarcasm: “The must have gadget for water lovers of the century.” His recent post is a litany of ways Sony could market its waterproof line.

Some of us here are asking, “Waterproof remote, why not?” Maybe we’re just caught up in the romance of it all; having had two occasions to think about waterproof remotes in one week inspired beautiful daydreams–sitting in a pool in paradise, remote in hand.

Let’s face it, how many people do you know who have ever cleaned their TV remote? Not those parents who find themselves cleaning peanut butter off  every surface in the house, but people who have truly attempted to sanitize their remotes? If it was waterproof maybe you could just throw it in the dishwasher.

While nobody but Sony can change PlayStation hardware, others have found a few ways around the IR/Bluetooth communication debacle. This morning SMK-Link announced the latest way to avoid using your PS3 controller, the Blu-Link Universal Remote Control for PlayStation 3.

As the first remote to use both IR and Bluetooth, the Blu-Link allows wireless control of the PS3 (including control of the Blu-ray and DVD player) in addition to universal remote functionality for other home entertainment devices. In a nutshell, the Blu-Link could potentially be your only remote because in addition to controlling your PS3, it can be programmed to control pretty much anything in your entertainment center.

At a suggested retail price of just $49.95,  Blu-Link  more affordable than some of its competitors, which we’ll discuss after noting that the following products are all a little bit different. Check out some of the links below for details on SMK-Link’s quasi-competitors  in alternative PS3 control.

The first alternative is the PS3IR-1000 from Schmartz, an IR to Bluetooth converter, for $79.95. This has the same functionality as the PS3 Blu-ray remote but with added IR capabilities, which allow you to use your existing universal remote to control your PS3.

Another similar option is the Harmony Adaptor for PLAYSTATION 3. This adaptor has IR- Blutooth converter capabilities, but it’s only compatible with remotes from Logitech’s Harmony line of universal remotes. Harmony’s PS3 adaptor will set you back $59.99, but don’t forget to factor in the cost of about the cost of a Harmony remote.

There are probably other options too. Please share if you have one in mind.

Whatever solution you choose, kick back and enjoy being free from your PS3 controller. Oh those were horrible days. Okay, not really; but this is way better.