# Apple’s Co-Founder Left to Make THIS?? Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxoB4vM1pUM Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/VxoB4vM1pUM Generated: 2026-03-11T18:34:26.233+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The CL9 CORE UC-100, a programmable universal remote control designed by Steve Wozniak's company CL9, was mind-blowingly advanced for its time in 1987, featuring 36KB of memory and 16 programmable pages, but it ultimately failed commercially due to its complexity and high price, especially compared to simpler, pre-programmed remotes that emerged later. **Key Points:** - The CL9 CORE UC-100 remote control, developed by Steve Wozniak's company CL9, was the world's first programmable universal remote control. - The device featured 36KB of memory and 16 programmable pages, allowing users to store sequences of commands for multiple devices. - It was programmed via a serial interface unit connected to a computer, a complex process that took about 15 minutes, even after the initial setup. - The CORE remote retailed for $199.00 in 1987 (equivalent to about $572 today), which was prohibitively expensive. - Its complexity and cost, coupled with the later emergence of simpler, pre-programmed universal remotes and the rise of HDMI-CEC, led to its commercial failure. - The remote was so advanced that it was reportedly used to control specialized medical equipment, like a Siemens X-ray/C-scan controller, as late as 2007. ![Screenshot at 01:48: The CORE MASTER programmable universal remote control is shown rotating on a display stand, highlighting its unique, elongated design and keypad layout.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VxoB4vM1pUM/00-01-48.jpg) **Context:** This video explores the history and capabilities of the CL9 CORE UC-100, a highly advanced, programmable universal remote control created by CL9, the company founded by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak after he left Apple in 1985. The CORE remote represented a significant leap in home entertainment control technology in the late 1980s, offering deep customization that contrasted sharply with the simpler, single-device or limited-device remotes common at the time. ## Detailed Analysis The video details the CL9 CORE UC-100, a programmable universal remote control created by Steve Wozniak’s post-Apple company, CL9, and released in 1987. The host emphasizes that this device was far ahead of its time, featuring 36KB of memory and 16 programmable pages, allowing users to create complex sequences of commands for multiple devices like TVs, VCRs, and AV receivers using a single controller. Programming required a serial interface unit and software, taking about 15 minutes per setup, and the device cost $199.00 in 1987 (about $572 today). This complexity and high cost, combined with the market shift towards simpler, pre-programmed universal remotes (like those from Harmony launching later), caused the CORE to fail commercially, despite its technical prowess. The host demonstrates programming a simple power command sequence and shows that the remote was even used for specialized equipment like a Siemens X-ray/C-scan controller as late as 2007. The presenter notes that the non-volatile memory retained settings even when the primary AA batteries died, a significant advantage over contemporary devices. ### Introduction to the CORE Remote - Host presents the CL9 CORE UC-100, calling it the coolest remote control never seen before; it was designed by Steve Wozniak's company CL9 in 1987. ### Technical Capabilities - The remote has 36KB memory, 16 programmable pages (0-F), and a dual microcontroller architecture; it stored sequences non-volatily, retaining settings even when batteries died. ### Programming Demonstration - Host and guest demonstrate programming a sequence: selecting a page (e.g., Page 5 for VCR control), enabling recording via the bottom slider, capturing an IR signal (Power for LG TV), and executing the sequence to control the TV. ### Historical Context and Failure - The remote was extremely advanced for 1987, costing $199.00 (approx. $572 today), which was too expensive for the general public who favored simpler, pre-programmed remotes like those from Philips (1987) and Harmony (2001). ### Advanced Use Case - The remote's last known application was controlling specialized medical equipment, specifically a Siemens X-ray/C-scan controller, noted in an April 2007 update. ![Screenshot at 00:10: The host dramatically presents the CL9 CORE UC-100 remote, which is covered in other standard remote controls attached to his vest.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VxoB4vM1pUM/00-00-10.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:48: A product shot of the CORE MASTER remote, labeled as a 'Programmable Universal Remote Control', displayed on a turntable.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VxoB4vM1pUM/00-01-48.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:59: The host demonstrates the remote's programming capability by showing the manual pages, which detail command sequences for different device types \(Mouse, Lights, VCR, etc.\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VxoB4vM1pUM/00-03-59.jpg) ![Screenshot at 09:07: The two hosts actively test the remote, successfully using a sequence to navigate the smart TV interface, turning the screen on and off.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VxoB4vM1pUM/00-09-07.jpg)