Programmable remote control

A remote control comprising:

• a display;
• an input interface including a plurality of user inputs;
• a communication interface configured for a plurality of communication protocols;
• and
• a controller coupled to the display, input interface, and communication interface, the controller operable to:
• detect an activity mode of a plurality of activity modes for the remote control, wherein the activity mode is based on user programming of the remote control to operate at least two devices associated with different communication protocols provided by a communication interface of the remote control, wherein individual inputs of a user interface of the remote control are associated with control of the at least two devices, wherein the user interface comprises a slide-out keypad of the remote control and wherein the detection of the activity mode of the plurality of activity modes is based on slide position of the slide-out keypad;
• detect a user selection of at least one input of the input interface of the remote control, wherein the user selection is associated with at least one command for the at least two devices;
• determine a communication setting based on the user selection and the activity mode;
• and
• control the communication interface transmission of the at least one command to each of the at least two devices based on the communication setting, wherein transmission of the command to each of the at least two devices is based on the different communication protocols of the plurality of communication protocols of the communication interface.