The HP 48G series graphing RPN calculator had such a powerful, software-controllable IR LED with a learning remote program someone wrote that could control TVs roughly 70' / 20 m away as long as the TV had a sensitive enough IR receiver circuit. Some hijinks might've happened in the physics lecture hall but no exams or lectures were harmed.

some more modern phones from xiaomi still have IR blasters

LG V series is a few years old but I know some had them