[joshstrange]

> I really like the Chromecast model, browsing on a mobile device to select content is just a much better UX

I couldn't disagree more. Non-touchscreen remotes (RIP Harmony hub) are far superior as is browsing on the TV. I like the separation of concerns, others in the room can see what I'm doing on the screen, and I'm never scrambling to open an app to pause/rewind/etc.

My pet theory is that people who feel this way have only used low-end set-top boxes (or ones built into the TV which are low-end) and/or have used crappy remotes.

[shortrounddev2]

Personally I believe that a touch screen mobile device is a degraded experience for any UX. This is just the cheapest way to manufacture a device so it's what has won out. But I hate the lack of tactile feedback and avoid using my phone for anything I can

[joshstrange]

Agreed. That's why the Harmony Hub + Remote was/is the best option on the market. No touch screen, just buttons, I can operate it "blind", I don't have to point it at anything (I've left it in my pocket while cooking and I can reach in and play/pause/navigate all without even taking it out of my pocket). The battery (a coin battery) lasts somewhere in the 6 months - 1 year range, I literally have no idea because it's so rare that I have to update it.

It's a shame that Harmony has left the remote business. Sofabaton is the closest to what my Harmony's can provide but they have a screen on the remote which I'd really rather do without. If my Harmony Hubs died today I'd probably get an X1 (though I actually like the design of the U2 way more) but I'm really hoping that I can ride the Harmony wave a little longer until a real spiritual successor comes out.

[infogulch]

> people who feel this way have only used low-end set-top boxes

Yes I was thinking about this when I wrote it. All the set top boxes I've seen are crap with terrible UI latency and are slow to load new data. I'll admit that maybe it's possible to make it slightly less crap. But there's no way in hell typing out something on a remote with left-left-left-left-left-left-left-down click right-right-right-right-right-up click down-down-left click up-left-left-left-left click is remotely (ha) a good experience compared to a phone keyboard. And if I'm gonna have a device with a whole damn keyboard on it... it might as well be my phone.

[joshstrange]

I get that. And while I know "Apple" is a non-starter for some people I love my Apple TV for this reason. It's responsive, loads my plex library and lets me navigate it easily, and anytime I hit a text area I get a notification on my phone that I can tap and enter text from my phone. It's sort of the best of both worlds. Manually entering text via remote does suck, 100% agree.