Have you used an Apple TV?
..because the article reads like perhaps you haven't. On iOS phones and pads there is an app called Remote which allows you to control an Apple TV (or several) as well as controlling iTunes running on a Mac. This app gives you swiping/scrolling ability (which doesn't work that well)bas well as various menu calls and direct access to your iTunes library, but best of all allows you to enter text quickly. The new remote will still be inferior to this provided that Siri is integrated with an updated version.