all black with a simple, sleak design!
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I'd like it to look like one of those large remote controls that some houses have. With an LCD screen on the front and several buttons around the outside, about twice the size of a PSP with a screen twice the size. It should be touchscreen, but have some buttons around the outside with basic uses in case the screen isn't calibrated properly.
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Sorry, my answer would blow your mind because it is so complex and world changing. Instead, I spent the last 19 minutes hiring 14 foreigners to draw the best possible mock-up possible. I hope you like it.

http://i41.tinypic.com/2q0sl78.jpg
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I don't think this is really the most important question. I don't think the question is really "what would you make it look like?" (answer - nice, modern, minimalist), but rather how would you make it look that way.

XML is certainly not my strong point, however I feel that a simple tagging system could consolidate a large number of different UI's for different tasks quite simply.

Imagine this mock up for the UI needs of a Washing Machine:

See : http://ckinniburgh.com/misc/uimockup.txt

In the example the data could be pulled into the UI in a number of ways, and displayed with different styles, however the data remains constant. There are only so many different types of inputs and outputs needed by the program. You can have for input:
* Buttons
* Dials/sliders/percentages (same thing)
* Numeric Input
* Character Input

For output:
* On/Off (LED in this example.)
* Numeric
* Character
* 2d graph.

There are a few more, but the number is finite.
Then you can combine them. In this example I use the both tag to combine On/Off output with an On/Off input. This is not the best name for a real world example but it illustrates the point.

As for the look, I would set up something stationary, the black box, and have that use this API to communicate with any number of devices. This would allow for competition in the creation of the hand held, or online, or whatnot device. Personally I would like a device which could be used on a secure wireless network, via a mobile phone.
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The Grid Friendly Appliance™ Controller developed by researchers

http://availabletechnologies.pnl.gov/images/61_1.jpg


sources:http://availabletechnologies.pnl.gov/technology.asp?id=61

http://www.automatedbuildings.com/news/jan06/articles/pnl/pnl.htm


Bluetooth glove controller for future


http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/bt-control-glove.jpg


sources:http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20070227/bluetooth-glove-controller-of-the-future/


New IT appliance controller

http://www.securityinfowatch.com/article/photos/1213893664805_Brivo.jpg


sources:http://www.securityinfowatch.com/online/Access-Control-Products/Brivo-introduces-new-IT-appliance-controller/16176SIW401

Wow!The Future is Here. Find Out How You Can Remotely Turn Off Lights With A Telephone or Cell Phone


sources:http://www.prlog.org/10133911-wowthe-future-is-here-find-out-how-you-can-remotely-turn-off-lights-with-telephone-or-cell-phone.html

NTT DoCoMo Develops FOMA-Compatible Controller for Appliances


sources:http://www.nttdocomo.com/pr/2004/001161.html


future-concept-of-hitachi-remote-controller


http://image.aving.net//img/2007/10/04/450/20071004140121793.jpg


sources: http://www.tuvie.com/future-concept-of-hitachi-remote-controller

IT can resemble like this also


http://image.aving.net//img/2007/10/04/450/200710041401217931.jpg

http://image.aving.net//img/2007/10/04/450/200710041401217932.jpg



With the Pronto family of remote controls and extenders, all electronic appliances can be controlled at your fingertips (available for purchase)


smart home system was prices ranging from RM9,999.


http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2008/6/12/business/b_08pronto.jpg



sources:
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/12/business/21103788&sec=business
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