Do you have a “smart TV” or a Firestick or some other device that connects to your home’s Wi-Fi and Internet to get information for you? If you do, then the chances are that you can also download a remote control for it on your smart phone.
Many of us are sad enough to have our phones and tablets sitting next to us every second that we are watching the TV, and its likely that your phone can replace your TV’s remote control. This month we look at how you can integrate your smart devices into your phone.
I use Samsung television (there are obviously many other types and I bet most of them support the same thing as Samsung), so I searched on the app store and found that there was a remote control for my TV that would live on my phone. Here are links to the iPhone and Android version of that app…
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.android.oneconnect&hl=en&gl=US
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/smartthings/id1222822904
The app once connected (which is easy by the way) will allow you to do everything that you currently do using your remote control but from the “comfort” of your phone – image the fun you’ll have changing the volume whilst your partner is watching the TV with the remote control in their hands!
The same app will allow you to control other Samsung things that you might have in the home, aircon for example, or speakers, it will also allow you to link these things to voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google home so you can do things like say “Alexa turn the TV on”.
I’ve also found an app to control my Amazon Firestick from my phone, again links are below…
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.storm.lightning.client.aosp&hl=en&gl=US
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/amazon-fire-tv/id947984433
…this app allows you to control your Firestick from your phone and even watch live TV using your mobile device, it features a keyboard to allow you to search for things without having to use the remote control to enter one character at a time.
Why not have a look and see what apps are available for your smart devices, you might surprise yourself with how useful they are. If you need any help making your home smart, BlueMoon Solutions will be only too happy to assist.