The impossible dream of the universal remote

The article introduces a Version History episode about Harmony, once the leading universal remote and arguably the only one that mattered. The discussion features The Verge staff and Nest co-founder Matt Rogers examining why even Harmony could not fully solve the problem of controlling every device in a home.

The story highlights how fragmented device ecosystems have repeatedly undermined the promise of a simple universal controller. As homes add more connected hardware, the challenge is shifting from infrared remotes to interoperability across platforms, apps, and voice assistants.