In the not too distant future, imagine coming home after a long day of work. You can’t wait to settle down and pick up your TV remote. But there's a catch. If anyone other than you tries to touch your tv remote, they will be met with an unexpected shock.
It's a simple concept – one borne out of years of roommates hoarding the remote, younger siblings changing the channel mid-game, someone with greasy hands and arguments over whether to watch the season finale of your favorite show or the annual football championship.
Imagine a scenario where the age-old saying do not touch my remote takes on a very real and physical manifestation. It's an odd yet somewhat compelling concept to think about, and it could be a reality in a few short years.
Sounds extreme, doesn’t it? But let's walk through how it might actually be useful.
Think of it as the ultimate 'remote' control. Now with the introduction of A. I. and other advancements in technology reaching new heights every day. It’s plausible to imagine a future where our TV remotes are integrated with some form of biometric identification.
Touch ID and facial recognition are common security features on most smartphones today. Applying this technology to a device like a TV remote, we could assign different users and programming preferences accordingly. Then, with the added deterrent of a small electric shock for unauthorized users, our preferences are well and truly safeguarded.
Imagine the end of petty arguments over who gets to control the remote. Peace and order could finally reign supreme in living rooms around the globe. Plus, no longer would we suffer through insufferable reality TV forced upon us by others.
Of course, safety mechanisms would need to be in place to ensure the shock is mild and non-harmful. Perhaps, more of a static-like surprise, to simply dissuade unauthorized use without causing real pain or harm. The purpose would be to discourage unnecessary channel switching and create a sense of individual ownership and control.
Furthermore, with individualized remotes, TV programming could become even more personalized. Channels, volume preferences, saved programs, all customized to the individual user. It would no longer just be 'your spot' on the sofa, but 'your remote' as well.
A shock-delivering, personal remote control is just one idea from the world of endless technological possibilities we live in. This glimpse into the future of TV watching is all speculation for now. Still, it does stir up some exciting prospects on how far the ordinary TV remote control could evolve in a few short years.
Ultimately, we’re on a never-ending journey of technological evolution, where the humble TV remote control is ready for an innovative, perhaps electrifying, revamp. After all, as long as there are TV remotes, there will always be a debate about who gets to hold them. So, why not let technology make that decision for us?