Universal Remote or Smartphone, it doesn't matter. The underlying technology sucks. Infrared doesn't allow any remote control device to know the current state of the machine that you're trying to control. Your remote has no clue whether a device is on or off or which input the TV is switched to, nor has it any idea if the command was received and processed correctly. I can't wait for the day when infrared is replaced with a better technology.

Wouldn't it be more sensible to stop playing the game if you are dissatisfied? As opposed to acting like a spoilt child and releasing source code.