I had a Galaxy S2 that had an IR blaster, you're right that it wasn't particularly practical. But as a late teen/college student who enjoyed some occasional mischief I remember having A LOT of fun with it. It was the perfect storm of an era where it wasn't unusual to have your phone out constantly but it wasn't really common knowledge smartphones had the feature, or to be aware of the explicitly-for-mischief "TV Off" devices.