Dr. Z does not use a remote control to make phone calls. 99 percent of the people in the world do not use remote controls to make phone calls. Only deaf people in the United States use remote controls to make phone calls if they use a Sorenson device (VP-200 or nTouch VP.)
Why use a remote control? To avoid walking, that means you gain weight and lose some exercise?
What if your dogs eat your remote control? How would you be able to make a call? Why do dogs eat remote controls? Well, when people watch TV, they tend to have snacks such as potato chips and popcorn. And the oils and flavoring from those snacks get carried over to the remote control, making it very appealing and tasty to those cute dogs. Then before you know it, it looks like this picture on the right.
What if a phone call comes in and you need to answer it, and one of your kids misplaced your remote control? Result? A missed call?
What if your remote control is hidden under a sofa cushion and there is an emergency and you can’t make a 911 call? *
Here is a quote from a press release by a remote control replacement outfit:
“Sofa cushions aren’t the only things that eat the remote controls that operate televisions and other appliances. The eternal search for the missing remote often ends in the mouth of the family dog.”
“Dogs are devouring remote controls,” says a press release from Charlie Waters, customer service director for MrRemoteControls.com.
“My dog ate the remote” is second only to “somebody lost it” as the most common reason given by customers ordering replacements, he says. They say dogs bury remotes or chew them beyond recognition.
“Similar in size and shape to their favorite bone, a remote control has the added flavor of [their] master’s scent, making it an irresistible treat,” the release speculates.”
From the same source, here are some excuses people make about their remote controls:
– My husband lost it. My wife lost it. My kids lost it. Note: We never hear “I lost it.”
– We moved but the remote didn’t.
– My husband spilled beer, soda, coffee, water or all of the above on the remote.
I am sure there are other stories or situations you have about remote controls.
Why is Dr. Z bringing this up? Simply to point out the fact that there are other videophones such as the Z20 which do not need a remote control. Also the Z4 on your PC or Mac doesn’t need a remote control. The Z4 mobile on your iPhone and iPad do not need remote controls either. They all have keypads that are part of the device. (And you lose some weight in the process.)
Dr. Z cares about your communication access.
Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development and Outreach.
* The Sorenson nTouch VP has a button for situations like this to make VRS calls (not point-to-point) without a remote.