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Is the TV remote history?
- Thread starter mvcg66b3r
- Start date
Old news. DirecTV subscribers have been able to use their phones or tablets as remotes for some time now using the DirecTV app. I assume Dish Network is no different. Not sure about the cable companies.
I don't have a phone, except for the ones connected to the wall.
Or a tablet.
So I still have to keep up with my numerous remotes. The good news is the one for my newest TiVo works for all three of them. And, yes, I have to use a remote for everything now. I have one TV hooked up to just a converter box, but changing channels requires finding and using the remote for that converter box. And the one remote works for both converter boxes, even though the second converter box was made obsolete by a TiVo. I haven't used that TV lately.
And changing channels is an adventure now. Since I record everything, there's no need to instantly do it.
Time Warner's DTA requires a separate remote but since everything is recorded on TiVo, I don't actually need that one.
Or a tablet.
So I still have to keep up with my numerous remotes. The good news is the one for my newest TiVo works for all three of them. And, yes, I have to use a remote for everything now. I have one TV hooked up to just a converter box, but changing channels requires finding and using the remote for that converter box. And the one remote works for both converter boxes, even though the second converter box was made obsolete by a TiVo. I haven't used that TV lately.
And changing channels is an adventure now. Since I record everything, there's no need to instantly do it.
Time Warner's DTA requires a separate remote but since everything is recorded on TiVo, I don't actually need that one.
i still see remote controls for TV still being a thing until every TV set in the world has built in Wi-Fi that can make it to where a TV can be controlled by an tablet or smart phone connected to the internet or even use voice enabled technology to well, control the the TV.
I think the only thing that could challenge a remote is voice control. I recently purchased a Logitech Harmony that allows me to use a remote OR my tablet/phone as the remote, and I still prefer the remote. Most of the time, I prefer to feel around for physical buttons as to not take my eye off the TV (mostly for DVR pause/ff/rw, but also for volume up/down). With a phone or tablet, you can't feel around for those buttons, as the interface could change, app could close, tablet goes to sleep, etc. Where the phone/tablet interface comes in nice is the Tivo app, because I can see what is on the Tivo, select shows, set up season passes (with full keyboard support) and make sure things are recording from anywhere. But even still, as I am watching things I use the physical remote for the same reasons I gave above.
Now, if a commercial break came on and I could just say something like "Tivo, skip commercials" or "Fast Forward 3 minutes" I could see that being useful.
There's a new remote available to Comcast customers that is voice-activated. Makes it easier to find a specific channel among 800 choices.
But it wouldn't surprise me if the new Amazon Echo could be set up as a TV remote.
Along those lines, I heard an NPR interview a few months ago with the voice-over person who plays "Siri" for Apple. It was very weird hearing her voice in a non-iPhone context. In the interview, she said that she personally doesn't like voice-commands, either. In other words, Siri doesn't use Siri.
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