We have a meeting each month where we take a break from our work and practice brainstorming about ways to improve everyday items. We thought an appropriate name for this meeting was "Build a better mousetrap," but as it invariably happens to long titles, we shortened it to "Mousetrap."

This Month's Challenging Topic: Build a Better TV Remote

Tribester Responses

Current remotes are very advanced and can pretty much do be programmed to do any one way communicating with an audio or video system you desire, as such I think the next generation remotes should be smart remotes. Basically web enable the remote and give it a small info screen that can start feeding you current information such as weather, local news and sport scores. The remote should also start remembering your channel and show preferences and then send you program recommendations to see if you would like to view or record them.
-- Tony Passero

My key here is simplicity - less buttons with more tactile quality. Also altering the size and feel of various buttons would go a long way toward usability. I don't want to even have to look at the remote to use it. OK now that's out of the way the main party piece I am going to suggest is a voice activated or cell phone "find" functionality. Either a preset phrase or calling from your cell phone will elicit an audible sound to allow you to determine which sofa cushion it's under.
-- Joe Kaput

I'd love to see an app that allowed you to use your iPhone as a programmable, learning, universal TV remote. I imagine that Apple could come up with a slicker, more intuitive interface than any of the Sony universal remotes I've used. One of my frustrations with universal remotes is the overwhelming number of buttons. Given Apple's minimalist approach to the iPod, I'm positive they could develop a simple 5 button interface for watching television!
-- Andy Owens

I would add a cheap retractable lanyard to the remote. Stick one to the TV set, one to the coffee table, one to your belt... wherever. You'll never lose the remote again.
-- Mike Chorvat

Since my husband always wanders off with the remote and leaves it in obscure places, I would like to have a system that is voice activated. I could just say "channel 12" or "How I Met Your Mother" and the channel would change.
-- Carrie Pendergast