The previous generation of consoles saw the addition of a DVD player as part of the console. The addition of that functionality to the PlayStation 2 was largely seen as one of the driving factors behind the consoles extreme success, at its launch it was one of the cheapest DVD players you would buy and just in case that wasn't enough it was also a top of the range video games console. Both the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox released a separate remote in the traditional rectangular format to make playing DVDs a lot simpler. The PlayStation 3 would be no different. Shortly after launch the Blu-Ray Disc Remote Control. The Blu-Ray standard introduced a number of new features to playing a disc on top of an already comprehensive list that DVD provided. There were now 2 different menu types and the red, green, yellow, blue buttons which were supposed to be bookmarking options. Unlike traditional remote controls this was bluetooth and not infrared, meaning it didn't have to be pointed directly at the device, perfect for large cinema rooms. On top of this the build quality was pretty decent as well, the remote was large, solid and weighty.
PlayTV, a device which turned your PlayStation 3 into a PVR, not sold in America, came bundled with a sticker overlay for the remote. It remapped some of the buttons to make more sense when navigating TV. The controller worked brilliantly as a TV controller, although the sticker was prone to peeling off and wasn't a great solution, but it's unlikely there was a big enough market to release yet another dedicated remote.
A later revision of the remote was released in 2011 known as the Media/Blu-Ray Disc Remote control. This remote was a combination controller which let you control a TV or amp as well as all the features of the previous remote control. It was released alongside the PlayStation 3D Display, a dedicated 3D display. It did not have the functions of a typical TV. Bizarrely, this remote control was not bundled with that display. The prices for both on ebay are pretty reasonable < £10/$10 for the basic controller and somewhere in the region of £20-£30 for the later revision. It's a must buy for those still making avid use of their PlayStation 3 as their media center.
As it uses Bluetooth and not Infrared it's a lot easier to pair with non PlayStation 3 devices and map the buttons to do whatever you want. If you have a PC media center with a bluetooth adapter you can pair it, and remap it to do whatever you want.