I love LG’s new Magic Remote design for its OLED TVs – too bad only certain regions are getting it

It could be considered tremendously geeky to fuss over, or to even discuss, the remote control that comes with your TV. But a solid, well-designed remote is a key feature of the best TVs, and if you spend several hours every day watching, it’s something you’re getting plenty of hands-on time with.

As someone who reviews TVs and other AV gear regularly, remote controls are something I pay close professional attention to. When I reviewed the Hisense U8N TV, I’m not ashamed to admit feeling a sense of delight when I held its solid, well-designed remote, which even featured a backlit keypad.

It was a huge upgrade over the cheap, plasticky, and basic remote that came with the Hisense U8K that preceded it, and it added more value to an already high-value TV.

Conversely, I nearly shuddered when I saw the remote control that ...