Phones don't have IR blasters anymore for the same reason they don't have aux ports or SD card slots anymore. For one, they remove these features to make room for other things that take up the real estate of a thin slice of technology. And for two, cutting those things increases the profit margin of the phones they sell, even if only slightly.

[–] Patches@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

For one...

Cough Cough

[–] Seasoned_Greetings@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The absence of the component frees up room for the phone’s taptic engine -- which allows your device to vibrate -- and creates room for a larger battery.

I'm not saying I agree with it. I prefer a phone with an aux port, and apple pioneered taking it out. It is what it is

[–] Riven@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 year ago

They also removed radio capabilities. Rip the days I would listen to live radio at 2 am while I washed dishes at chili's.