I quite agree with you and wrote a review to that effect. Basically the device needs to have as many
buttons as is the most you normally use on any of
your remote controls. If it has any less, then
you will be doing modes.

In fact, the a clone of the Tivo remote would be
an excellent starting point.

I also realised that I never read remote controls.
If you do have to read one, then it is because it
has too many buttons, or the one you want is too
hard to find by touch. The more this device makes
you read it, the more annoying it gets.

They have the concept right, but the execution is
poor. If the programming APIs were released, then
at least the programmers amongst us would have a
fighting chance of trying to make the device more
usable.

If they don't, someone else will copy the idea,
but do it well.

Roger