Where's the Touch-Screen Remote Control?

Over the years, I’ve given a great deal of thought to the fusion of the internet and the television in a truly integrated, broadband, high-definition experience.  I’ve seen MediaCenter PC’s, checked out AppleTV, and even ordered Netflix through my Xbox360, yet these chaotic and overlapping solutions have failed unleash the true potential of this technology.  Let’s face it… we have a slew of devices and incompatible technologies on which we engage with Media.

First we have the television, which nowadays, on it’s own, it’s utterly useless.
Second we have our cable/dish box providing the TV signal and have onDemand and DVR controls.
Third we have a CD/DVD/Blu-Ray player.
Fourth a computer, on which we store much if not all of our media.
Fifth the Internet, of course, which requires a separate cable box, our modem.
Sixth we have our gaming devices, whether it’s a PS3 or Xbox360 (sorry Wii, you just don’t cut it here).
Seventh we have a receiver, which coordinates the sound output.

And last but not least…. a remote control for each.

So how have we made all this integration easier?  Well, we color-coded the cables and the ports so even the slowest of customers can figure out that the yellow prong goes in the yellow slot.  Here’s your cookie.  The only other way?  A UNIVERSAL REMOTE, which most of our cable companies provide, but which off control, not true integration.  Clearly, this got the ol’ brainbox churning.

A truly universal remote… the size of a PSP, with a small processor, covered with a touch screen, which you could sync up to all 7 of your devices, and use to adjust the settings of each, not on your TV screen, but on the face of the remote itself.  Sure, you’d be able to project the on-remote display onto the screen, and that’s where the true innovations comes into play.  This remote would need to be able to surf the web on your wifi/cable connexion.  So let’s say you’re watching “Lawrence of Arabia” and wish to learn the true story of T.E. Lawrence, you simply pull up the cable company’s channel guide on the remote, tap on a “Learn More” link and you’ll be taken to Google or another search portal with the query “Lawrence of Arabia” already entered.  Should you wish to share what you find with your friends, tap the “On-Screen” button to display the webpage on the TV screen.  By utilizing Wifi, you could use this remote as a means to select media from your PC and stream it to your TV and stereo, using an app formatted version of iTunes of whatever media library program you use.  And Apple’s current App-based architecture would make it simple for manufacturers to provide customers with all the control they need.

I’m really amazed I haven’t seen this yet.  I guess I’m expecting too much.  Note to Steve Jobs… now that the iPad is out… here’s your next gig.