Mobile software company Peel has expanded the number of devices that can use its Smart Remote app to a variety of smart home electronics.
The app was originally launched just 30 months ago but already has 100 million users, primarily on smartphones. Now Peel wants its device to be applied to home appliances like smart thermostats, windows, lighting, air conditioners and locks.
Peel’s updated app will allow users to create pre-set "Peel-in" room experiences that integrate multiple home electronics by using connection modes such as IR, Bluetooth and WiFi.
"Our customers have pushed us to extend our universal remote capabilities beyond TVs, set-top boxes and other entertainment devices to include additional categories of home electronics," said Peel co-founder and chief product officer Bala Krishnan.
"What they are looking for, and what we will provide, is a unified, multi-device, intelligent home experience controlled from a single smart remote app," he added.
More than half of all Android phones and tablets come preloaded with the Peel app, resulting in the app having more than 100 million worldwide users who collectively make around 7 billion remote commands a month.
This week, Peel will also launched its iOS smart remote solution for Europe, including an app localised for 30 European countries.
The company also launched, for under €50, its Pronto device which connects to users’ smartphones via bluetooth and then controls their home electronics with a 360-degree infrared (IR) blaster.
Backed by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, Peel is showing off its new intelligent home control capabilities at its booth (located at CS180 in Congress Square) at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week.
