Title: Anyone else feel awkward talking to their TV?
Totally relate to the messy hands dilemma. I do a lot of woodworking in the garage, so there are days when my hands are covered in sawdust or glue and the last thing I want is to mess up the remote. Voice commands can be hit or miss, though. Sometimes my TV thinks “pause” means “volume up” and it’s just... not helpful. Still, I’d rather deal with that than sticky buttons. Guess it’s a trade-off.
Voice commands can be hit or miss, though. Sometimes my TV thinks “pause” means “volume up” and it’s just... not helpful.
That’s honestly the story of my life with smart devices. I’ve found a little workaround that helps when I’m in the middle of a messy project—try setting up a small “tech tray” near your workspace. I use a decorative tray with a washable liner and keep a microfiber cloth, a stylus (for touch remotes), and even a cheap pair of touchscreen gloves in there. That way, if my hands are covered in paint or glue, I can just slip on the gloves or use the stylus instead of risking the remote.
As for voice commands, I totally get the awkwardness. Sometimes I feel like I’m auditioning for a role in a sci-fi movie, talking to my TV and hoping it understands me. But honestly, with practice, it gets less weird. Maybe try re-training your TV’s voice recognition? Some systems let you do that, and it can help with those “pause” vs “volume up” mix-ups.
It’s all about making your space work for you—even if it means talking to your electronics like they’re part of the family.
Honestly, I’m still not convinced voice commands are worth the hassle half the time, especially when you’re trying to save money and not invest in a ton of extra gadgets. But your “tech tray” idea is actually pretty clever—never thought about keeping gloves or a stylus handy for messy hands. I usually just wrap my remote in plastic wrap when I’m working on crafts, but it’s not exactly elegant.
If you’re looking to stretch your budget, here’s what’s worked for me:
1. Grab a cheap silicone phone pouch from the dollar store—fits most remotes and wipes clean.
2. Use a basic stylus (the kind that comes free with some tablets) for touch screens.
3. For voice commands, I’ve found that speaking slower and enunciating helps, but it still feels awkward sometimes.
Has anyone tried using universal remotes or even those DIY smart home hacks with old phones? I’m curious if there’s a low-cost way to make things less frustrating without buying new gear every year...
ANYONE ELSE FEEL AWKWARD TALKING TO THEIR TV?
I tried turning an old phone into a universal remote using one of those IR blaster apps, and it was... hit or miss. Sometimes it worked like magic, other times it just sat there, mocking me while I mashed buttons. Honestly, I still keep a backup universal remote from the thrift store, just in case. Voice commands feel weird—like I’m performing for an invisible audience. The stylus trick is solid, though. I’ve used a chopstick in a pinch—works surprisingly well, but I wouldn’t recommend it for anything precise.
ANYONE ELSE FEEL AWKWARD TALKING TO THEIR TV?
Voice commands feel weird—like I’m performing for an invisible audience.
That’s exactly it. I’ve tried using the voice assistant on my TV a few times, and every single time I catch myself glancing around, half-expecting someone to walk in and judge me for asking my television to “find home renovation shows.” It’s not even that the tech doesn’t work—sometimes it’s spot on—but there’s just something about speaking to a screen that feels unnatural. Maybe it’s just a generational thing, or maybe I’m too used to the tactile feedback of a remote.
I’ve experimented with those IR blaster apps too, and honestly, I share your skepticism. They’re clever in theory, but in practice, I find myself getting frustrated more often than not. There’s always that lag, or the app just decides it doesn’t want to cooperate. I keep a backup remote tucked away as well, just in case. It’s not the prettiest thing, but at least it’s reliable.
The stylus trick is interesting—I’ve never tried a chopstick, but I have used the end of a paintbrush when I couldn’t find the remote. Not exactly precise, but it got the job done. I wouldn’t trust it for anything that requires accuracy, though. It’s funny how we end up improvising with whatever’s at hand.
From a design perspective, I do wish manufacturers would put more thought into how these controls fit into our living spaces. Remotes are always getting lost in couch cushions or blending into the decor. Voice commands could be great if they felt less awkward, but until then, I’ll probably stick with my trusty thrift store remote and the occasional makeshift stylus.
Maybe one day talking to our TVs will feel as normal as flipping a light switch... but for now, it still feels a bit like performing in an empty theater.
