Stupid Ideas: Voice-Controlled TV Remote
Sarah Perez on April 3rd, 2005
I’m all for innovation, but do we really need a voice-controlled TV remote? Was pushing a button really too hard for people? On the website for this new product, called Promptu, their infomercial shows a woman saying "Watch Oprah," and the channel changes for her. Wow, is that the height of American laziness or what - when we try to find an easier way to watch TV than using the remote? The informercial continues and shows a man saying "find actress Halle Berry." Then the woman grabs the remote and says "find actor Brad Pitt." Oh ha ha ha. They think it’s clever, but I forsee fights for the remote control becoming shouting matches. Hmm. Not such a good idea.
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I’m with you. I can only think of two advantages for this remote. 1. It would be good for those with arthritis or those who can’t use their hands very well.
and 2. It would be great for those times when you LOSE it, cant find it anywhere, and yet you still need to change the channel.
So, you simply talk to it, and it will change the channel from wherever it is hidden… oh God, my hub would never have to get off the couch again.
Though basically I agree with you, the one use I do see for this is for disabled people (blind, without use of hands, etc.), or for people with diseases like Parkinsons for whom a regular TV remote is too hard to manipulate.
Mine is already voice-controlled. When I can’t find it, I walk around my house screaming, “WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?” until it magically appears.
I have a wonderful remote! It is a few years old, not battery operated and it never fails.
I don’t have a problem finding it either!
Will it hear me say “Mute” when the volume is all the way up???
You guys have no clue. Visually impaired folks are screwed if they try to use conventional remotes.
Personally I think this is a great idea for disabled people who are unable to use their hands!
This is exactly what I am looking for. My daughter is a quadraplegic and has to have some one else do all of everything for her. If she had one of these she could watch what she wanted when ever she wanted it.
I think its a great idea.