Peel Smart Remote – use your Galaxy Tablet as an advanced TV remote

by Antonio Wells Dec 27, 2012 11:45 AM – 7 Comments

Install

Peel Smart Remote app allows you to use your tablet as an advanced TV remote control. In addition to flicking through channels, you gain access to cable & local television programming with cover art thumbnails, look ahead to upcoming programming, set reminders to watch and save favorites. If you have a capable device, this app is a cool and convenient download!

Price: Free

Tested on: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 – 7-inch
Content Rating: Low Maturity

AndroidTapp.com Android App Review:

Pros & Cons:

Pros

If your device(s) are compatible, it makes for a smart and advanced remote control!
Get access to current and upcoming programming information!
Current programming displays cover art cards rather than plain text!
Even works without cable subscription (over-the-air)!
Set reminders and save content in favorites!
Easy to setup!

Cons

Not compatible with many devices as it requires the traditional IR Blaster of a remote control.

Video Review:

Watch on Mobile | Watch in HD

Features:

If you’re not aware, my personal home television setup does not include a subscription to cable providers. I’m one of those hipsters you call a “cord cutter”… and proudly so for more than three years now. I found it was awesome that I could use the built in IR Blaster feature of my Galaxy Tab 2 (7″) to easily setup and configure it as an advance remote control using the Peel app.

You set it up by either adding your regional cable provider or zip code get access to current and upcoming programming information. Current programs are displayed as cool cover art “cards” in which you flick through. These cards show more information like program title, show times, channel, brief description and of course a button to change to that channel. Furthermore you can favorite TV shows or movies, set reminders and share to Facebook or Twitter. You can turn your TV on and off, control the television’s settings menu if needed and even volume.

I like how the app also groups categories for you into channels i.e. Kids, Comedy, Action & Adventure, Game Shows, Sports, etc. It’s all meant for it to be a smarter couch companion in which makes just turning channels the least desirable of the encouraged features.

: Peel Smart Remote

: Peel Smart Remote 2

: Peel Smart Remote Programs with Side Remote Control

: Peel Smart Remote Programs with Side Remote Control 2

: Peel Smart Remote List of Programs

: Peel Smart Remote with Side Remote Control

: Peel Smart Remote Children’s Programming

: Peel Smart Remote Children’s Channels 2

: Peel Smart Remote Sports Programming

: Peel Smart Remote Edit Channels

: Peel Smart Remote Set Reminder

: Peel Smart Remote Social Sharing Options

Usefulness:

This area is the app’s gift and curse, as it is only available to a handful of Galaxy tablets:

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 plus
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 plus
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

Ease of Use:

Peel Smart Remote features an easy setup tutorial. You basically turn the TV off, select the television brand in the app, turn the TV on using the app, select your cable provider (enter zip code if cord cutter) and viola!

Frequently Used:

This is a personal preference as you may use this as your remote frequently, as a supplement or temporarily if you misplace your physical remote.

Interface:

Peel Smart Remote helps you visualize your TV shows and movie programming with cool cards that you flick through. This is very polished and a more convenient way to flick through channels. It’s like the cool visual channel guides you get on cable TV menus except with touch controls!

AndroidTapp.com Rating

AndroidTapp.com Rating! (4.1 out of 5)

Should you Download Peel Smart Remote? Only if you have one of the listed tablets above. If you do, using the app will bring the power of visual channel guides in your hands far grander than directional inputs like with a physical remote. It can act as a superb supplement in your home theater setup.

Developer: Peel Technologies Inc.

Tags: Advanced TV Remote, Android App, Android Apps, AndroidTapp.com App Review, Peel, Peel Smart Remote, Samsung GALAXY Tab 2 (7 inch), Samsung GALAXY Tab 2 Android Apps, Samsung Galaxy Tab Apps

Categorised in: Entertainment

7 Comments

By victor a ortega on March 12, 2013 at 3:31 am:

I installed this Peel Smart Remote in my Samsung Tablet and it damaged my Vizio TV model E370VL CA.
Something went wrong with the program and now the TV does not work.
When I switch on the TV, it goes on for about two seconds and then it goes off on its own. It is the same if I do it with the tablet, the original remote control or by hand.
Most likely the program changed the microcode in one of the TV chips.
Do you have a program to install in the tablet to restore the TV to its factory settings?

Reply
By undefined on April 14, 2013 at 3:34 pm:

it dont work

Reply
- By Antonio Wells on April 14, 2013 at 5:08 pm:
  
  Hi, what device do you have Peel installed on and what is the brand of your TV?
  
  Reply
By Richardard on May 17, 2013 at 10:09 pm:

It doesn’t work when trying to program it to work Dish Network. Tried to samsung devices and both do not work at all. It does work the TV but what go is that?

Reply
By David Rust on June 11, 2013 at 4:37 pm:

Does. Not. Work. With my Sanyo, Element, Emerson tvs or any other device for that matter. I’ve cleared the app cache per instructions from Peel support and tried to be extra careful during setup but it’s been a complete waste of time.

Reply
- By Antonio Wells on June 11, 2013 at 7:19 pm:
  
  Hey David, I can confirm it works on an Emerson TV… that’s the brand in the video.
  
  Reply
By younglauren on June 11, 2013 at 7:11 pm:

When I used the remote it erased channels 24 – 34 on one box but not on all. I don’t know hpw to fix this and its becoming a problem because those channels are the major sports channels like espn etc. How can you fix this.

Reply