Xbox One Media Remote: is it redundant?

So since I've had this week off I've been bugging my One owning friend and messing around with his system.

One of the simple thing I noticed is that the Media Remote for the One simply lacks much of the 360 versions functions.

The build quality is good and the fact that it lights up when you move it are great pluses.

However the big problem is it needs Kinect to do its job of controlling your television. Well if you have Kinect then what exactly is the point of the media remote? Everything it does can be done as quickly as with the Kinect and you don't have to worry about
line of sight to the One (or the Kinect).

Without the Kinect you can't use the media remote to control the television, channel or volume, meaning you have to keep another handy to do that job. With my 360 all I need to keep nearby is the 360 media remote.

So what really is the point of the device?

:)

 

IR Extender or Repeater Question

No, not in the way I need. The Kinect does push IR signal to other devices, but it wont accept a signal from the remote to push to the One. I thought it was at first too, but it is not according to Microsofts XBOX One Media Remote Page. See the "Using
The Media Remote" here: Xbox One Media Remote

 

Question about upcoming Xbox one remote

news.xbox.com/.../xbox-one-media-remote

 

I have no idea. I use Smartglass to control the media functions.

 

I suppose it's for people who don't like using voice commands or can't get them to work very well. Also, maybe someone might use it at night if they had headphones on, as using voice commands might wake up other people in the house.

There aren't any massively compelling reasons to buy it though - you're right.

 

I dont recall the 360 media remote controlling the tv volume. Unless you used a logitech remote

 

Both incarnations of the Official 360 Media Remote could change the channel and volume of your TV.

support.xbox.com/.../universal-media-remote

www.xbox.com/.../Xbox360MediaRemote

 

Interesting that it never worked on my tvs.

 

Did you bother to program them for your TV? Takes two minutes to try the codes for your brand and get it up and running.

 

The media remote makes it easier to navigate the OneGuide, rather than using a controller. I only use my cable box remote to launch my TV recordings.

 

Actually I noticed one of the review sites stated it's missing more basic features like fast forward and reverse or the directional pad for navigating easier. I'm looking at getting one of the 3rd party ones on Ebay...don't see the point of paying $25 for
a basic remote that I got free in my launch Xbox 360 console box. It would be easier to use for watching movies instead of constantly turning your controler on to pause, etc. which is why I want one.