Apple Watch Brings Your TV's Remote Control to Your Wrist

[MacRumors]

While the Apple Watch is marketed as "the most advanced timepiece ever created, a revolutionary new way to connect with others, and a comprehensive health and fitness companion," the wrist-worn device has a number of other use cases that should prove convenient for many day-to-day tasks. The apps and accessories below, for example, will turn the Apple Watch into a remote control for controlling a TV from your wrist.

SamMote for Apple Watch

SamMote was recently updated to allow Apple Watch users to control supported Samsung TVs using their wrist. The third-party app, created by developer Eric Degrange and noted by A-Watch.fr, is compatible with most Samsung Smart TVs manufactured between 2011 and 2014 (Series D through Series H models). SamMote is free on the App Store [Direct Link] and also supports iPhone and iPad, so it is worth testing the remote control app works with your own Samsung television.

Roomie Remote for Apple Watch

Roomie Remote is a Wi-Fi-based universal remote app for home theater and automation that controls thousands of devices like TVs, cable and satellite boxes, receivers, Blu-ray players, lights and thermostats. The app also allows you to control Apple TV. iPhone and iPad versions of the app have been available since February 2012, and earlier this week the app was updated with Apple Watch support as well. Roomie Remote works with a wide variety of devices, but is $9.99 on the App Store [Direct Link] and may require additional in-app purchases depending on what devices you want to control.

Pronto for Apple Watch

Pronto is a 360-degree infrared remote receiver and blaster that will enable Apple Watch users to control their TV using the smartwatch. The cylindrical-like accessory was created through a partnership between the Peel Smart Remote app and Pronto and can be placed anywhere in your living room to control TVs, set-top boxes, DVD and Blu-ray players, and more. Pronto is compatible with all iOS devices that support low-energy Bluetooth, and soon the Apple Watch.

The device must be paired with the Peel Smart Remote & TV Guide app on the App Store [Direct Link] and gets approximately one year of battery life. Pronto is listed for $49.99 at Best Buy and is also available at NewEgg in the United States, and Staples in Canada. Included in the box is 1 IR extension cable and 4 AA alkaline batteries.

Article Link: Apple Watch Brings Your TV's Remote Control to Your Wrist

 

[Kris404]

All I need is the Logitech Harmony app support for Apple Watch.

 

[oneMadRssn]

I had something like this as a kid:

Used to drive the substitute teachers bonkers.

 

[vmistery]

I had something like this as a kid:
Image

Used to drive the substitute teachers bonkers.

Clearly Apple have got the watch design totally wrong!

 

[Zxxv]

I can only imagine this feeling terribly awkward and uncomfortable. It needs to be voice activated else my iPhone provides a better experience and even that is not as nice as a hard button remote.

 

[CrAkD]

The logitech harmony app needs to be updated for Apple watch then I'll be in business

 

[Nozuka]

I had something like this as a kid:


Used to drive the substitute teachers bonkers.

me too. good times.

 

[iansilv]

Finally I won't have to get off the couch to get the remote control.

 

[2457282]

Does anyone know if Apple's Remote App is being ported to the watch? That is really what I want. I use that app all the time now manage what I am listening to through itunes or what I watch through ATV.

Still waiting for homekit to do something so I can also manage the lighting through my watch (4 Hue lights, but no more until this is addressed).

 

[CrAkD]

Does anyone know if Apple's Remote App is being ported to the watch? That is really what I want. I use that app all the time now manage what I am listening to through itunes or what I watch through ATV.

Still waiting for homekit to do something so I can also manage the lighting through my watch (4 Hue lights, but no more until this is addressed).

I think it already is I swear I saw it on the watch home screen in the marketing materials

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Can I start up my Wii U (or any other console) with it?

 

[osofast240sx]

I think it already is I swear I saw it on the watch home screen in the marketing materials

Yes it is the Apple TV app is on the Apple Watch I use it the other day pretty awesome.

 

[jim2011]

Anyone have impressions of Roomie with Tivo/Roamio?

Edit: Just noticed to have full Tivo support including DVR control, you need to pay a monthly fee. Screw that. Hopefully Tivo updates their app to have apple watch support.

 

[Zedcars]

Only 21 years behind Casio:

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/casio-launches-multifunctional-watch--31693

The CMD-40 Casio Watch with integrated TV remote control.

 

[69Mustang]

Yes it is the Apple TV app is on the Apple Watch I use it the other day pretty awesome.

Wait, what? Are you saying you used the app the other day or are you saying you used the app on the watch the other day? If watch, was this in the store during a try on? Thoroughly confused.

 

[Bigsk8r]

Will have to remember this if I replace my 50" Samsung Plasma with a more modern version that supports it.

 

[chfilm]

Does anyone know if Apple's Remote App is being ported to the watch? That is really what I want. I use that app all the time now manage what I am listening to through itunes or what I watch through ATV.

Still waiting for homekit to do something so I can also manage the lighting through my watch (4 Hue lights, but no more until this is addressed).

I think so!

 

[Gooberton]

I'm
Getting super excited the more time passes, I feel like this is what I dreamed of as a kid in the 80s and now I can relive my childhood and get the toy of a lifetime

 

[matthew23]

The logitech harmony app needs to be updated for Apple watch then I'll be in business

I have to think Logitech will update the Harmony app to work with the watch....it makes too much sense.

 

[v2oxviesta]

Presenter Rmote

You can use it to control presentations too using the app Universal Presenter Remote! I know apple already has a solution for Keynote in the works, but this app can control any software that uses keyboard commands including Prezi and Google Slides (no admin required).

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/universal-presenter-remote/id866740670?ls=1&mt=8

 

[Rigby]

You can use it to control presentations too using the app Universal Presenter Remote! I know apple already has a solution for Keynote in the works, but this app can control any software that uses keyboard commands including Prezi and Google Slides (no admin required)

This app is pretty cool, but there is a problem: It requieres both the presenting computer and the mobile device to be connected to the Internet, which is not always possible when you do presentations e.g. at other companies. Is there something comparable that uses Bluetooth?

 

[osofast240sx]

Wait, what? Are you saying you used the app the other day or are you saying you used the app on the watch the other day? If watch, was this in the store during a try on? Thoroughly confused.

@the Apple Store

 

[UnfetteredMind]

@the Apple Store

Should have said you're Karl Lagerfeld and you get whatever you want (for free!)

I just picked up another Logitech Smart/Home Control remote and also hope they come out with an Apple Watch app to control such remotes.

 

[Doctor Q]

SamMote was recently updated to allow Apple Watch users to control supported Samsung TVs using their wrist.

Handy if you have a personal TV, but you can't do without that old remote for the family TV in the living room unless you're going to hold out your wrist for everyone else or buy everyone in the family their own Apple Watch.

Then again, we ego-driven males like to have complete control over the TV, so perhaps this is ideal. Nobody can change the channel but you!

 

[Attonine]

Excellent. Another remote!