While it’s relatively easy to toggle captions and subtitles inside apps, two remote controls are frustratingly close to make it a one-button endeavor.
The idea that remote controls should include a dedicated button for captions is not, in and of itself, a bad one. In fact, it makes a whole lot of sense, whether the remote belongs to a television or a peripheral like Roku or Amazon Fire TV. We acknowledge the fact that it would add complexity and, possibly, cost to a device. (And that it’s relatively easy to just flip ’em on and off inside apps as it is.) But we believe it would be worth it.
We didn’t pick Roku and Amazon Fire TV out of thin air in that previous paragraph. They are the two biggest streaming platforms in the world. And as it turns out, they both have remote controls with user-programmable buttons. While that’s not quite the same thing as what we’re imploring the likes of Roku, Amazon, Google, Apple, and others to employ, it’s something that’s available now. (Though the remotes in question aren’t shipped by default with every device — you’ll have to spend more to get them.)
The Alexa Voice Remote Pro and the Roku Voice Remote Pro include two buttons that you can program yourself to perform a number of actions. There are limits to the options and what you can do with them, but it’s still better than nothing.
Here’s the state of play when it comes to the programmable buttons and captions:Amazon Alexa Voice Remote Pro
In our Alexa Voice Remote Pro review — yes, we reviewed a little remote control — we were unequivocal in saying that it should just be included in the box of all Amazon Fire TV devices. It’s really good, from the form to the feel to the options.
There’s good and bad news when it comes to captions, however.
