Pronto with Peel Smartphone/Tablet Remote Preview

The Pronto with Peel is a smartphone/tablet-based universal remote that provides customized TV-listings and program recommendations, along with IR remote functions.  If Pronto with Peel delivers, your smartphone (initially iPhone users only) is set to become the single tool you need to find something to watch, fire up your system, and tweet your friends about it (please people, no spoilers).

The Pronto IR Emitter with Peel Software

There's two pieces to the Pronto with Peel system.  The first is the Peel software. The Peel app turns your smartphone or tablet into a smart remote.  Right now, the Peel Smart Remote app is listed in the Google Play Store, but is only approved for certain android devices, and didn't work with any of the devices I own.  Support for the Pronto with Peel is listed only for Apple products, specifically iPhones from the 4s on up and iPod Touch.  Conspicuously absent is iPad support, though we'd hope that support, along with more broad Android support, would be forthcoming.  Our understanding is the initial release does support iPad devices but Pronto is working on a specific App customized for that platform.

Update: 5/16/15 by Gene DellaSala

 I recently noticed a pop up on my Samsung S5 Galaxy phone about setting up Smart Remote to control my TV.  I clicked it and within minutes I was controlling my Fios TV, Display, Blu-ray and AV Receiver.  I clicked the “about” and realized it was the Pronto Peel software.  I didn’t realize this came standard with android devices.  My initial testing confirms it not only works, but works very well.  There are lots of customizations available to turn your phone or tablet device into a true universal remote control solution.  It even allows you to configure the inputs and other settings so that you simply hit "Blu-ray" and it will automatically put your AV receiver and HDTV on the right inputs.  Best of all this APP is FREE!  As a result of our findings, I'm upgrading our rating to "Gotta have it!". 

The Peel app combines universal remote functions along with TV listing functionality personalized for the user.  Peel can provide customized viewing recommendations, provide reminders of favorite shows, tie into your social media accounts, and display a real-time, mobile TV guide that does not require turning on the TV.  Once you find something you'd like to watch, don't bother reaching for a remote; Peel's ability to control TVs, set-top boxes, AV receivers and Blu-ray players means the only remote you need to fire up your system is already in your hand.

The hardware side of the equation is comprised of your smartphone/tablet and the Pronto infra-red emitter. The Pronto is small enough to tuck inconspicuously into a media cabinet and promises to run for approximately 1 year on 4 AA batteries.  It also includes an infra-red extension cable to route to secluded equipment.  The software is FREE and the IR emitter hardware is just $1 short of $60.  If you don't purchase the IR emitter, you can still point your smart device at your equipment line of site with fairly good results.  Initially Prono only works with iPhone so if you're an Android user, just stick with the free Peel software for now.

 Pronto with Peel Promo Video

Anyone who's tried to use a universal remote, especially one based on a touch screen, knows that, in addition to the ergonomic design, setup really defines the experience.  If the remote can't be easily configured to run your devices, or worse, leaves you with devices that can't be controlled at all by the universal remote, things can turn sour quickly.  Pronto with Peel promises control of more than 3,000 devices, including all major TV brands.  Hey we even found support for the Oppo clone, we mean, BD-30 LexiCON Blu-ray player.

Hopefully a learning feature is available for more obscure brands and devices, but it's not mentioned anywhere in the press release.  Bluetooth control of devices like Roku is also not mentioned, so you may find yourself switching into your Roku-branded app for that.  Additionally, there are some devices like the PS4 that will likely leave you utilizing HDMI-CEC control to get any semblance of connectivity with IR based systems like the Pronto.

Conclusion

The home entertainment landscape is more complicated than ever before.  It used to be that you'd have your TV and maybe a VCR, if you were fancy.  Now, the average home might have a display, set top box, home theater receiver, blu-ray player, and at least one digital streaming device.  The Pronto with Peel system looks to eliminate remote control clutter, give you access to a live TV schedule that's easy to search, and integrate customized features like show recommendations.  We've found that, with most universal remotes, promises are easy to make, but difficult to execute.  We'll have to wait to actually try the Pronto with Peel before giving our final take, but it's good to see any effort to simplify control of our increasingly complex entertainment options.  

Pronto with Peel is now shipping at authorized retailers like Best Buy.  If you have one, please share your experiences in our forum.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.