When Samsung’s first Smart TVs appeared, it became possible to go beyond the usual remote controls. This led to the creation of the Smart Touch Control remote, designed to control the TV. In the center of the remote is a touch panel that works like a laptop trackpad, allowing you to move the cursor across the screen with your finger.
Using the touchpad to control your TV
The touchpad was designed as a universal device that simplifies TV use by supporting a range of intuitive gestures. Swipe your finger across the pad to move the pointer, tap an item to select it, or scroll to quickly browse menus and pages. Holding your finger on the panel for a few seconds will open the channel list, and dragging allows you to move some items on the screen while watching. Vertical scrolling is done by moving your finger up or down the edges of the panel, and horizontal navigation is done by swiping along the top edge.
The remote control can also display a virtual remote with numeric keys, making it easy to change channels, enter PIN codes, or control applications without having to use a traditional button layout.
From Smart Touch Control to one remote control
When Samsung first introduced Smart Touch Control in its 2013 Smart TV models, it was positioned as a new step in the development of remote control technology, but not everyone liked it. Many users found the controls less precise than physical buttons, and moving the cursor sometimes felt slow and awkward.
A few years later, in 2015, Samsung abandoned Smart Touch remotes in favor of a more traditional design, and in 2016 introduced the One Remote. Overall, they ditched the touchpad in favor of a minimalist design with fewer buttons and an emphasis on voice commands.
Ultimately, the One Remote replaced the Smart Touch Control because it provided the same “smart” functionality in a much simpler and more intuitive way.
