Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Universal Remote's Days Are Numbered

Posted by timothy on from the get-it-numbered-numbered-like-the-keys dept.

theodp writes "While the universal remote has served humanity with distinction, its days are numbered, and your smartphone is to blame. Whether you want to control your music, your television or your PowerPoint presentation, there's probably a solution using your phone. Try as it might, the universal remote simply can't navigate the digital world the way the smartphone can — it's a lot easier to put the remote's abilities in the smartphone than vice versa."

3 of 429 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Yeah.. by MichaelSmith · · Score: 4, Interesting

    We have a voice recognition system where I work. In the intended environment it works fine but when we took it to a trade show to do demonstrations we found that it copes badly with background noise.

    So I wouldn't want to use one to trigger the mute function.

    --
    http://michaelsmith.id.au
  2. One remote to rule them all? by fragMasterFlash · · Score: 4, Interesting

    With projects like the JP1 forum turning universal remotes into the Swiss army knife of the 21st century I hardly think the will meet their technological demise any time soon. I would rather bet my $0.02 that the killer device control app for smartphones will be remote interaction at an arbitrary distance, much like the remote DVR control applications now entering the market.

  3. While we're on the subject of remotes by similar_name · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Why can't I click a button on the TV to make my remote beep when I can't find it. Maybe I should patent that.