TV remotes are a funny thing. Over the last few years, they've added backlighting, gained new charging capabilities, and slimmed down, as seen on Samsung's and Roku's TV remotes. They're handy for navigation, tweaking the volume, and changing settings on the fly, but what if we didn't need them at all?
The popularization of built-in voice assistants coupled with the advancements in AI processing are making the best smart TVs smarter every year. Add to that the possibilities in store with ambient sensors, like the bespoke Ambient Display feature on the new TCL QM9K, and remotes start to feel like landlines: once essential, now outdated.
TCL's new flagship TV already has me thinking about a remote-less future, which sounds far-fetched, but might not be steeped in science fiction. Here's how it could take shape.
Smarter TV voice assistants
Voice assistants have seen some incredible improvements year over year, and they're only getting better as we reach the tail-end of 2025.
One of the worst offenders was Samsung's Bixby voice assistant, which would often misinterpret what you're saying or get hung up on particular queries. Over the past year, Samsung has improved its voice assistant, injecting Bixby with better search functionality and conversational awareness.
What if you could ask the TV to find the best picture quality for your home environment?
These upgrades will probably only be available on 2025 TVs and future sets, given the advanced AI processing needed to make the functionality work properly. But, it's a clear line into an era where remotes won't be needed at all; just your voice will do all the things, like pausing a movie or raising the volume.
These ideas apply to Google TV, as well, which has recently introduced Gemini features available in the TCL QM9K. Gemini will similarly allow you to ask the TV all kinds of different questions, like tough mathematical equations, what to watch that weekend, or if it's too hot outside for a jacket.
I got to see these features firsthand in the midst of my demo with the QM9K a few weeks ago, and it's a clear view into the future of TVs. Everyday queries are one thing, but what if you could ask the TV to find the best picture quality for your home environment? Better, what if you could ask it to diagnose a particular issue or literally fix the problem itself?
These concepts sound like a pipe dream (or, maybe a fever dream for some), but they aren't too far out of the realm of possibility.
Enhanced internal TV sensors
Gemini on the TCL QM9K wasn't the only exciting advancement the new Mini-LED has to offer. Another way TCL is advancing TVs is with the addition of a bespoke sensor that detects when a user is present.
TCL calls the technology "Ambient Display." Think it of it kind of like the always-on display in an iPhone, where the screen will go completely dark only if you're not looking directly at it. Ambient Display on the QM9K is sort of similar, allowing the TV to automatically turn on when it detects that you've entered the room.
It's a bold concept, one that's rooted in ease-of-use. TCL sees it as a way for you to instantly digest information from your various widgets, like weather forecasts, bite-sized news, or the like. But, what if it could go even further?
TCL's Ambient Display isn't alone, Samsung wants us to trade the remote out entirely for its Galaxy smartwatches: Its 2025 models have a feature allow you to control your Samsung TV with a mere pinch and flick of your wrist.
It's an interesting concept, but having tried it a few months ago at Samsung's North American HQ, I don't think it quite sticks the landing .
Still, while they might be in their infancy right now, with improvements and future refinement, they could be the remote-killer I've been looking for.
...Just don't throw away your remote just yet
While TV remotes are definitely here to stay for the time being, there is a clear path being set to a remote-less TV era.
It's tantalizing and terrifying all the same. Gesture controls could be a route to making remote-less TVs even more popular, however they often require built-in cameras on our TVs. With privacy concerns at an all-time high, the last thing most people want right now is another camera in the house — and I don't blame them.
That said, while the TCL QM9K heralds several exciting advancements in TV technology, the upgrades might not be for everyone. In the short term I hope it's improving voice assistants to make TV controls all the more streamlined, so any settings and picture tweaks are a total breeze.
At some point in the future I think the world will be ready to toss out their remotes ... just maybe give it another decade or two.
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