Infrared dead?

I like do-it-all devices, which is one of the reasons I'm still hanging on to my circa 2005 Windows Mobile HTC Apache (xv6700) PDA phone. True, it's not as sleek as some newer models, it doesn't have as much memory, and it's getting a little slow, but thanks to reflashing with newer, sleeker OS's, it does just about about everything I could want.

But when I first saw the specs of the HTC Touch Pro -- a thin, super-powered WinMob touchscreen with a keyboard -- I thought I might jump...until I noticed the lack of infrared. Why HTC, why? Verizon cripples your devices enough -- do you have to help them?

I know, Bluetooth, EVDO, and wi-fi make data exchange via IR redundant, but as a 24/7 PDA user, my phone is also my universal remote. Wherever I am -- sometimes even in public places -- I can fire up Novii Remote Deluxe, aim my 6700 at a TV or Tivo, and run the world. Don't make me go back to the old remote-control forest.

Bring back IR. I'll wait for you...