Re: Remote Control

["Keith Doxey" <ukha@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I was quite surprised at Xmas ... My folks came down to spend a few
days
> with us and my mum managed to control the TV using the iPronto without
> either Jo or I showing her how to use it at any point. She had
> seen that we
> poked the thing with our fingers the night before and that was that -
she
> got up before us the first morning, decided she wanted to watch
> the news and
> so "gave it a go" and worked it out straight away. Of course
it
> all depends
> on the programming for its ease of use...
>

The user interface is by far the most important thing in making something
easy and intuitive to use.

One thing that stikes me as funny is the terminology use in remotes. I have
all four of the types listed below.....

Pronto has "Soft Buttons" because they are configured in software
and only
shown when needed. however when you come to "press" the soft
button you
actually discover that it is HARD!

Something like a cheap "One for all" remote has hard buttons in
that all the
buttons are always present and whilst some configuration may be possible
you
cant change button labelling or hide any buttons.

Then there is the middle ground with devices like Harmony and Kameleon

Kameleon hasnt actually got buttons but has a large membrane that you press
(similar to a touchscreen) and backlighting that only shows the legends for
buttons when needed but legends cant be changed.

Then there is what I personally prefer at the moment, Harmony. Fully
programable except that the buttons are always there so cant be hidden and
you cant change the labelling EXCEPT for the buttons at the side of the LCD
which are Soft(ware defined) Buttons.

Although the OFA and Harmony remotes are "Hard Button" devices,
the actual
buttons are SOFT to the touch and give tactile feedback when pressing them,
you can also "feel" for the button without having to look at the
remote as
you would with a Pronto etc.

I guess the IDEAL remote is one with Large Physical buttons in the form of
small LED/LCD screens that can show whatever is needed, when it is needed.
Buttons not being use could be blank. Someone posted a link for a prototype
PC keyboard that had such buttons.

http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/

Now a remote control based on that technology would be really cool.

Regards

Keith