This is much more user friendly than the old remote where buttons had double functions requiring long presses. Manner mode could have accidentally triggered a call as it was multiplexed on the same button. So privacy is more robust. Timer no longer requires one to select duration and intensity by clicking many times on two multiplexed buttons and remembering/reading the durations chart.
The number of buttons was increased, and the number LEDs reduced. The light pipe for the LEDs makes this a lot more professional than having through-hole LEDs stick out (though the "70s" look was cool in its own way).
Perhaps a dot with vibration lines coming out of it would be a good idea instead?