[untog]

The remote is always exactly where you need it, in front of the TV. As for batteries.. when was the last time you changed your remote batteries? How about the last time you charged your phone? I'll take my once-every-six-months battery replacement over the chance that I'll need to plug my phone in to charge while I'm also trying to use it as a remote.

And if you think that tactile buttons are somehow "over", you're wrong. They're tremendously useful.