If you're looking into remote control, chances are that you'll want it for more than 3 appliances/lights. Consider an x10 system (x10.com) which is much more expandable and configurable and really not at a much higher price point than this.

I've used X-10 for over 10 years now. It's OK when it works, frustrating when it doesn't. It's very old technology, and its main saving grace is that it is cheap. Good quality X-10 switches (such as from Leviton) are not cheap though. I'm seriously considering Z-Wave, since it is wireless and more robust. But, oh, the price...

Zigbe and Z-wave are the newer tecs.. Each has it's trade offs..

For simple operation and not great distance, these work.

Better for grandmas than high tech geeks who need 20 devices.