Samsung’s new Tizen-powered Smart Control remote looks truly universal

Samsung spent the last few days of 2015 announcing that its 2016 lineup of smart TVs was going to be, well, a whole lot smarter. From SmartThings Hub integration, to improved gaming support with PlayStation Now, to better security with its new GAIA solution, it seems the company has big plans for the future of its TVs.

Now it seems that even the company’s Smart Control remotes are getting smarter. The company announced in a press release issued today that the remote and its Smart Hub software will be more tightly integrated than ever before, allowing for control over not just your TV, but your entire living room and maybe more.

“The world of TV is constantly changing, with more choices and more connected devices than ever before, so we have made it easier for people to discover and watch the content they want, when they want,” Samsung’s Won Jin Lee said in a statement. “In 2016, Samsung’s Smart Hub and Smart Control remote are providing the most streamlined, convenient, and intuitive TV user experience. Together, they offer the choices and performance consumers expect from today’s home entertainment technology.”

The new Smart Control remote is built on the Tizen platform, the same platform that powers the company’s newest smart TVs. Samsung says that the remote will “immediately recognize” set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, game consoles, and other connected devices. On the TV side, Samsung wants to make switching between any type of content as seamless as possible, no matter the source.

The universal remote isn’t a new thing, but Samsung seems to be looking to make it truly universal. The company hasn’t said much about the device, but considering that every smart TV in its 2016 lineup will feature the built-in SmartThings Hub, it’s possible that the firm is planning on allowing you to control connected smart home devices using the remote as well. This wouldn’t be a first: Logitech Harmony remotes can already control lighting and some other connected devices.

We’re sure Samsung will have much more to say about how the new Smart Control remote will work at CES, so make sure to stay tuned for all of Digital Trends’ CES coverage.