Agreed, it’s actually one of my favorite tv input devices because it has the 7-8 only buttons I ever use on a tv remote without any other gimmicks like crappy infrared pointers. Plus it has Find My integration for when my kids inevitably kick it under the sofa.
Edit: the apple touchpad swipe remote was definitely a chore to use
Apple tried to be different by releasing the first gen version with trackpad but eventually caved in for D pad like others lol. I do remember swiping for every single x/y movement on screen felt like a chore.