CorpComms Magazine

It's the ultimate in couch potato luxury - a remote control that allows users to Twitter and blog with their friends without even leaving their armchair.

Technology giant IBM has filed a patent for a new remote control system that would allow users to access social media sites.

The patent, which has been filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office, describes a system 'for automatic blogging of media viewing using an enhanced remote controller, suitable for use while viewing media programming and content'.

The technology giant believes users will interact with their friends while watching television, adding in the patent documentation: 'One of the joys of watching television is discussing with one's friends the juicy bits of a favourite show or the latest television programme. The enhanced remote controller allows the viewer to both communicate with a blogging server, and thus to a blogging service, as well as display responses to and from other bloggers with whom the viewer is communicating.' It's even possible to mark shows as 'lame'.

As far as I can see there are two glaring problems with this idea. Firstly, it's not toddler proof. Every child under the age of six finds remote controls more exciting than a chocolate flavoured ice cream with sprinkles, which could lead to a lot of idle chatter when Thomas the Tank Engine comes on screen. And secondly, if IBM really want to help, can't they create a remote that also orders pizzas and opens wine bottles?

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