In the beginning, there were dedicated remote controls, which meant a “basket” on many coffee tables with a requirement to grab the correct one depending on whether you wanted to control the TV, Cable/Satellite, VCR, DVD, etc. The labels on the buttons were a mix of the obvious and the cryptic. And of course, you had to ensure the batteries were charged in each one.
Eventually, the “universal remote” became available. It required some configuration to work, but could perform most of the necessary functions for most electronic equipment. Finally, we could use one device to control our TV, cable service, DVD player, and later, Streaming Services.
Many universal remote controls are available for purchase, and most have remained relatively unchanged in appearance and function over the years. Numerous buttons on a relatively large device are needed to control the diverse components of a home entertainment system. Assigning multiple functions to a single button depending on the mode (Cable, TV, etc.) is common, which can create confusion for the user.
Some electronics manufacturers produce universal remotes with small screens occupying a portion of the surface as an alternative to button-heavy models. Screens open up more possibilities, like customizable and configurable icons, multiple-screen pages to “pack in” more functionality, and a more intuitive user interface.
Other manufacturers offer mobile apps accessible on phones, computers, and tablets. As with many disciplines, the “accessible age” means screens replace physical hardware components or, in some cases, the entire device. These solutions may include:
- Voice control and response
- On-screen menus and/or alternative methods (using a phone or computer, for example) to control the more “obscure” settings
- A higher degree of integration between different system components so they can do more things “automatically”
A remote control is one example of a device that can be modernized in these ways to become a more effective appliance. But this kind of redesign from a hardware-intensive human interface to one that combines the best capabilities of modern technologies applies to many other things, including:
- Industrial Machines
- Restaurant Equipment
- Commercial Building Management Systems
But the big deal here (and how it relates to IoT and IoT software) is that the end goal is not more pretty charts and gauges, not more buttons and dials, but software that works to solve the problem at hand. Of course, there will always be a place for charts and gauges (after all, those pictures can convey the proverbial 1000 words) and for thoughtfully designed buttons and dials. However, those things are secondary when it comes to designing a solution that works well and works for the people using it.
Modern IoT solutions:
- Employ whatever interface necessary to best connect with the user
- Use software designed to simply and efficiently convey the most relevant information
- Make use of AI and ML to let the solution do more things “automatically”
When developed and deployed by a knowledgeable partner on a state-of-the-art platform, all of this “IoT Magic” contributes to efficiency, cost reduction, and revenue enhancement.