Controllers with adaptable interfaces

A control device, comprising:

• a user interface;
• a wireless communication device;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory including computer-executable instructions that, when executed, configure the processor to:
• receive identifying information about an appliance;
• receive identifying information about a component of the appliance;
• send, via the wireless communication device, a query to a remote server including information about the appliance and the component;
• receive, via the wireless communication device, a response from the remote server including configuration information for the control device, the configuration information including a command for the appliance and a command that is specific to the component;
• map a first input of the control device to the command for the appliance;
• map a second input of the control device to the command that is specific to the component;
• receive the second input via the user interface;
• in response to receiving the second input, send the command that is specific to the component.

A method for updating a control device, comprising:

• receiving, at a server that is remote from the control device, identifying information about an appliance;
• obtaining information about a capability of the appliance;
• obtaining information about the control device;
• sending a response from the server including configuration information for the control device, the configuration information including a command for the appliance and mapping instructions for the command that are based at least in part on the information about a capability of the appliance and the information about the control device.