Here's why I doubt the controller will be like the remote you are referred to.
I had one. It's called a Kameleon. The gimmick about it is that it is, essentially, a "blank slate" controller (for the record I doubt that's an official phrase, but it fits the metaphor pretty nicely). Picture a dry erase board. Now, certain functions stay lit at all times so you can access them. For example, generic commands like a numberpad, volume, channels, etc. So maybe about half the space is already used for those commands. The kicker is that there is a selection area as well with buttons referencing specific components you want to control. In other words, there is a "tv" button, a "vcr" button, a "cable" button, etc etc etc. When you press one of these, other buttons on the controller light up, giving you specific functions to enact for that device. So what you end up with is this "blank slate," which never changes physical dimensions, altering its available commands and button choices so that various devices can be faithfully executed and controlled.
In THEORY, this is a GREAT idea.
Let me stress that again.
In THEORY, this is a GREAT idea.
Now let me tell you why theory is always trumped by hard facts and actual tests.
So I had this controller. Ignoring the fact that it was very pretty, it was a chore to use. The problem that people don't understand with blank slate devices (i.e., there are also LCD screen controllers from Sony and other companies that emulate the same exact experience, only via an LCD screen, which is "cooler") is that they have NO TACTILE RESPONSE. When I had to switch to another device, I *had* to look down at the controller because there's absolutely no way to feel your way through it. None. Since it's a flat surface with commands altering beneath it for functionality, you have to look around for the more specialized commands. Hell, unless you had great "muscle memory" (common with pianists and guitarists, how they can know what chords they are playing without thinking about it consciously), you couldn't figure out what the hell you wanted to do unless you looked. This wasn't a huge problem for television surfing, of course, but the fact is that in an effort to be cutting edge and hip, the controller would show only the buttons you needed, or the buttons changed effect under various circumstances. So the volume button never moved, but in some rare cases it might control something else. And even then, you had no way to knowing where it was unless, again, you could just spatially memorize that in your mind.
After a few months of working on it, I did manage to make good use of it.
And then it broke. It just stopped working. I guess my warning sign should have been that 1) the battery usage skyrocketed, and 2) the warranty had just ended.
But throwing all of that out, it still doesn't change the fact that you have no tactile response. If you take any controller now, you can memorize the layout and know what you are hitting at all times with relative ease. After you get the layout of the PS2 controller, you know that triangle is always at top. The GC controller simplifies this further with its "bean" buttons.
"But Strell, what about slightly raised areas in the slate?"
Yes, the controller had those, but 1) they were minimal, and 2) you had to pay a lot of attention to understand where they were. It WAS possible to feel your way around, but it required looking and having prior information of the controller's layout.
And besides, once you add such things, it destroys the whole idea of fully mapable surfaces. If you're commiting to a layout physically, you might as well go ahead and just give us a d-pad and buttons.
I assume if Nintendo wanted to do something using this kind of technology, they will find a way to alleviate these issues. But the fact right now is that a blank slate controller is going to be far more active in use than as a remote for television. I can make do with the fact that I will have to look down to find the "previous channel" button. But I can't do that if I'm trying to find a button to do some move in a game, where seconds count.
It's a nice idea in theory, but try using one of the controllers. It's a pain.
I like the pics of the controller up above, but I seriously hope that's not it. It reminds me of an early 90s "omg RAD!" sort of thing.
Of course, me saying I hate it probably means that's the damn controller. Hoo-
ray. 
Topic: I have a feeling this might be the Rev controller (Read 11405 times)
