A new patent application by Apple suggests that they could be considering a universal remote, possibly to go with their fabled connected TV set, Apple Insider reports. Entitled ‘Apparatus and Method to Facilitate Universal Remote Control’, it details a simple touchscreen controller with a clear, uncluttered display.
Apple detailed the problems with current universal remotes and argued how this one would solve them.
The controls that are not normally used clutter the remote control and can cause confusion to the user when trying to locate a seldom-used feature. users must spend time learning a new remote control or programming an existing universal remote each time they purchase a new remotely controllable appliance, which detracts from the enjoyment of using the appliance after it is first purchased. What is needed is an apparatus and a method to provide remote control over multiple appliances without the difficulties described above
The remote would control most devices in the home, forming a sort of ‘smart home’ network. One of the biggest problems is the number of different remotes that the average household has, so if this concept was used, it would completely solve the problem.