I just have a different point of view I guess.
This isn't a mobile phone that travels with me away from home, its a device that stays in my room and controls the C4 system in my house.
The charger is literally in the same room as the remote.
It feels 1000% better in hand than the playskool 260, and has a nice screen for album art/GUI.
In my usage, its way more reliable than the Neeo it replaced, and battery life is comparable.
C4 is still making the 260, right? If you need 74 days of battery life and simply cannot stand to put the remote on charge, use the 260 and look at yellow text.
$500 is too much for what it is, but the Core controllers are expensive as well. Inflation I suppose.
Also: I've used about every Harmony remote that exists and prefer the feel and utility of the Halo.