The Xbox 360 Premium bundle lists among its accessories the Xbox 360 Media Remote, an infrared remote control designed specifically for many of the Xbox 360’s multi-media capabilities.

The Xbox 360 Media Remote features the now-famous Xbox Guide Button, which allows gamers to access their digital movies, music, and games library without leaving the couch. The Xbox 360 Guide Button also allows for easy navigation of the Xbox Gamer Guide, the gateway to Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE online gaming, chat, and file sharing service.

The Xbox 360 Media Remote also functions as a universal remote control, allowing users to control their TV and Windows Media Center PC with the Media Remote’s mute, volume and up-and-down channel changing buttons.

In addition, the Xbox 360 Media Remote offers the following functions:

• Power your Xbox 360 system on or off without leaving the couch.
• The Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote includes control buttons for your music, pictures, and more.
• A, B, X, and Y buttons are included for basic control of your Xbox 360 system, even without a controller.
• Numbered and backlit keypad gives you full functionality, even in the dark.

According to a news report on GamesIndustry.biz, the Media Remote will only be available for a limited time based on available units. Besides coming with the Xbox Premium bundle, the Xbox 360 Media Remote will be sold separately for US $29.99, although it’s unclear whether this will also be subject to the “limited time offer” clause applied to the bundled Media Remote. DVDs can be played on the Xbox 360 even if you don’t have the remote control, unlike Xbox 1, which would not play DVDs unless the special DVD Remote Control Kit was purchased separately.

Interestingly, early photos of the Xbox 360 Media Remote lacked the number keypad now shown at the bottom of the ultra-long remote, and this mysterious keypad is certainly keeping gamers guessing. Could the Xbox 360 Media Remote somehow also function as a telephone of some sort? Joystiq speculates that the hole above the asterisk button could possibly be a microphone hole. Stay tuned for further details on the function of the Xbox 360 Media Remote’s keypad!