I recently read about a new remote control by Philips, called
the iPronto. This is a unique remote control that helps blend both
TV watching and Web surfing.
I recently read about a new remote control by Philips, called the iPronto. This is a unique remote control that helps blend both TV watching and Web surfing. Users can change channels, watch a show, then use the iPronto to find the show’s Web site. If that’s not enough, iPronto can also control lights or a security system, and there’s a built in SD card slot.
This is a fantastic idea for people who love to play with all the latest in technology. It can also be a very useful tool for many people in business. Yet my image of the ultimate remote control doesn’t stop at technology. No, I want a remote that works beyond television or computer screens. I want something that works on the people and animals around me.
For example, we all know people who talk too much. It’s something I’ve even been accused of doing on occasion. Wouldn’t it be nice if instead of looking for ways to flee the conversation we could simply mute the person speaking? They would go on hearing the sound of their own voice and we would see their mouths moving, but no sound would emit. When they paused or stopped, we could press “mute” again to undo the previous silence. Our nerves would be less frayed without hurting the feelings of the person talking to us.
A possible negative side effect might be not hearing something that’s really positive or important to us, like a once-in-a lifetime, all-expenses-paid trip to Tahiti. Still, it might be worth the risk.
Some people, though not big talkers, have exceptionally loud voices. Using a volume control on these folks would be a wonderful addition to our everyday lives. This could also be used on colicky infants who not only seem to cry non-stop, they’re loud while doing it. I would have happily used volume control on my son when he was little or any of my kids when they were teenagers.
And as a school librarian I would love nothing more than to tone down certain classes that walk through the doors. Often they’re a great group of kids, but no matter how many times the teacher or I explain library manners, they can’t seem to lower their volume.
Or how about a “rewind” button that shows us a quick overview of our day? This would be great because we wouldn’t have the power to change the past, but we would be able to review and clarify the previous 24 hours. Can you imagine what a tool this would be for settling arguments over who did what? A clear view to sit back and watch events re-unfold would be amazingly powerful. Of course, this remote would have special protection features that would allow only the user’s day to be rewound and reviewed.
Remotes with “pause” and “channel select” would be downright scary. If we had the power to see ahead and change our lives and the lives of those around us with the simple click of a button, the world would really be messed up. One of the greatest gifts we have is learning to embrace our differences and be tolerant of others without any control over their choices.
Still, there would be some other features I’d like on my specialized remote. For example, I’d love a remote that would change the fat and sugar content in chocolate to match that of lettuce, without changing the taste. Or how about a remote that gives me the pleasure of eating a hot fudge sundae, made with peppermint ice cream, with all the calories removed?
Perhaps the ultimate remote would be one I could turn on myself. I always loved the show “Bewitched.” I was envious of Samantha when she could make herself move at warp speed and get through boring projects such as housework. Being able to fast-forward ourselves for select periods of time during our days would make many of us more productive.
Until these amazing remotes are made, I’ll have to be content to plod through life at the normal speed.
