I can aswer one of your questions and that is about using G-remote. I have sed G-remote, and found it to be quite reliable thus are(1 day of use). Howeve, I see it of more of a toy, no for every-day use. I have media center hooked upto a 52" and it works very nicely.
It's niceto be able to us my phone as more than just a phone. No need to carry around a bulky wireless keyboard, just a phone. It's a neat thing. Amazes me..