While the universal remote control has served humanity with distinction, its days are numbered. Your smartphone is to blame. Here’s why.
In the beginning, a universal remote had to control two or three things (typically a television, a cable box and a VCR). And for that number of devices, a remote with all the buttons in one place worked just fine.
Over time, the universal remote expanded its jurisdiction, as there were new devices to control. DVD players, audio receivers, streaming-video boxes, digital video recorders and other home entertainment components had entered the scene.
The universal remote did the only thing it knew how to do: It grew more buttons.
But that was a stopgap solution at best. With so many devices to manage — and with so many buttons to use — universal remotes started to become ridiculously complex.
There was a solution, of course. Touch screens. Interactive displays that could change their layout depending on what you wanted the remote to control. Several manufacturers moved to incorporate touch screens into their high-end remotes.
But touch screen remotes were — and are — expensive.
Some engineers got to thinking: There’s a growing number of touch screens already in the world. Most of them are hand-held, even. Smartphones, by Jove! And since more and more entertainment devices are Internet-enabled, and since smartphones are as well, they don’t even need an infrared transmitter — they can control equipment over home Wi-Fi networks.
And so applications and accessories are appearing that let us use the technology we already have to control the technology we already have. A frugal idea for today’s diminished times. And not only frugal but also endlessly upgradable and infinitely flexible. Whether you want to control your music, your TV or your PowerPoint presentation, there may be a way that your phone can help you do that.
Music…