Sharp adds touchpad to the remote
(Credit:
Gearfuse)
This one definitely falls under the category of What Took Them So Long? Universal remotes have claimed (dubiously) to do everything under the sun, but they've gotten increasingly difficult to use by cramming in more keys and buttons, not to mention indecipherable commands.
Sharp has responded to that frustration with "the world's first remote controller with a touchpad," according to Gearfuse, for its updated line of Aquos TV-PCs. The design overhaul means 40 percent fewer buttons and computer-like navigation on the remote.
The new products appear to be available only in Japan for now, but we're just happy to see manufacturers putting more R&D into the remote. After all, when we're at home, it replaces the cell phone as our electronic appendage.
