lol no I legit just want a classic tv style remote.

I’m aware that a phone can be used as a keyboard. Or whatever app. I could write an app that just has channel up/down volume up/down, number buttons etc. still wouldn’t be the same as a remote. Different tactile feel. Phone goes to sleep, or I’m using a different app. Or I have to use an old phone as a dedicated app. Which will need a charge more frequently than a remote would need AAA batteries. And whatever media client I’m running should have a user interface that accommodates such a device rather than just saying “fuck it, you need a mouse and keyboard to operate this thing.” The Roku emby and jellyfin apps work pretty well with a standard remote. I’m looking for something similar I could run on an rpi with a small Linux distro. Not sure how I am “capitulating” as you say.