A numeric keypad for entering channel numbers and some other purposes such as time and date entry.Channel and volume up/down selectors (sometimes marked with + and - signs).A typical selection includes TV, VCR, DVD, and CBL/ SAT, along with other devices that sometimes include DVRs, audio equipment or home automation devices. A power button, as well as a switch or series of buttons to select which device the remote is controlling at the moment.Most universal remotes share a number of basic design elements:

In March 1987, Steve Ciarcia published an article in Byte Magazine entitled 'Build a Trainable Infrared Master Controller', describing a universal remote with the ability to upload the settings to a computer. It was called the 'CORE' and was created by CL 9, a startup founded by Steve Wozniak, the inventor of the Apple I and Apple II computers. In 1987, the first programmable universal remote control was released. In 1985, Robin Rumbolt, William 'Russ' McIntyre, and Larry Goodson with North American Philips Consumer Electronics (Magnavox, Sylvania, and Philco) developed the first universal remote control.

On May 30, 1985, Philips introduced the first universal remote (U.S.