Agreed....that's why I've been recommending the RE universal IR remote (NewKinetix) to several bloggers on this site. I have a RE and although I missed the contact of 'real buttons' at first, I feel that this product is very much part of the developments in home device control.

FYI....it is very interesting to see on this thread/forum that there is a shift towards (and genuine interest in) controlling home theaters (and other home devices) utilizing ipad/iphone solutions such as the RE.