Simple Control Home Remote Reviews

The best remote app keeps getting better

GadgetComa

I’ve been using SimpleControl since it first appeared several years ago as Roomie Remote. At the time, it was the only remote control app that was comprehensive and flexible enough to interface with the fairly new home automation scene. Fast forward to SimpleControl version 5. Not only does the app maintain the comprehensive coverage of many, many automation standards, it still provides the flexibility to create controls that I need. What has changed is the look of the app and, unbelievably, the large number of new devices it supports. SimpleControl’s new interface is gorgeous. With just a few taps, you can create remote control screens that provide easy, logical access to your devices’ features. It’s smart enough to set up lights, power up devices and assign defaults for volume control, program guides, and more. If you want to delve deeper and customize, you can, but you probably won’t need to. The other wonderful thing the developer has done is greatly simplified the licensing model. Now, just download the app and sign up for a subscription. Everything you need is included in one price. I have over 20 devices in 5 different rooms. I get all of the features (including TV guides and remote access) for $29.99/year (and can go up to 30 devices). Many people would likely have just one or two rooms to control, which means an even better bargain at $19.99/year. There are also packages for up to 100 devices ($49.99/year) and for unlimited devices ($99.99/year). Try to beat those prices with Crestron or other high-end names. You’d have to go to that level to get what SimpleControl gives you and no other do-it-yourself package can provide (from the research I’ve done, which is a lot). Here’s a few examples of what I set up: A page of music choices that play any one of a dozen playlists at the touch of a button (turn on receiver, start up iTunes, adjust the volume, shuffle play a specific list). One-touch start up to watch AppleTV or Blu-rays in my TV room (turns on all equipment, brings the lights down). Turn off music and lights throughout the house when I leave (uses my Nest thermostat to know when I leave and shuts everything down). One touch start up to watch Apple TV in my bedroom and exercise room. Access to lighting and music controls throughout the house. And, it took only a little over an hour to set all of this up, so I actually have plenty of time to enjoy my automated home. ;)

Impressed by version 5

Mike Lutz

I'm happy with version 5, have gone ahead with a 30 device license - feel that it’s a good deal I've been using simple control for a few years now. While I’ve had some moments when I’ve gotten quite annoyed at their licensing craziness, what they have designed (and priced) in version 5 seems quite reasonable to me. I’m using iPads, AppleTvs, iPhone (including X), watch, multiple IR blasters, lutron lighting and an older Denon amp and it’s all working smooth, even importing the config from older versions. It is all work shockingly smoothly - serious hats-off to the dev - I’m quite amazed. If I really can’t break it in the next week or so I’d upgrade my description to “magical” (... so far it’s _really_ good!)

Best home automation app

Fallsview

This app provides all the capabilities of custom home automation systems like Crestron and Savant at a fraction of the cost. I migrated from an AMX system a few years ago and now control my entire home with Simple Control. Easy to use but more importantly very easy to change equipment when you get a new tv or blu Ray. V5 is a big step forward with an world class set of features. This app has no real peers with thesis much functionality.

Unlimited no price have much free?

1masterpeice

How much does unlimited cost there’s no list price is a hidden fee I’m going to be charged for a arm without my knowledge

Horrible update

MacIntyre

It either turns off my Samsung TV when I just want to switch inputs, or won’t turn it on at all. It doesn’t appear to respect the track power state setting for a device (2017 Samsung Q7 QLED). This worked under version 4.x. My wife had a pop up activity with her favorite channels, that now doesn’t work the same, she basically has to use a favorite guide, which is a lot slower. New interface has a lot of buttons we’re not ever going to use and the activity panel editor is not available yet. This new interface has done nothing but confuse my wife, I’m going to have to roll back to version 4.

Ugly new design, low-contrast, fiddly volume, more

JT92101

The ugly new design is in low contrast colors that are hard to see. The program guide is especially bad. Channel icons are now a monochrome yucky gray when they had been colorful in SimpleHome which helps distinguish them. SimpleHome whites were white and blacks were black the UI popped. Now title and description in PG are same color where SimpleHome had them in different shades. (Description was similar to current color, title was pure white). Please make the PG readable again! There is nothing good about these changes. Can no longer see PG and controls on same page on iPad which is a pain. Volume control full page popup is another pain. Why? Volume control does not track finger movement. It moves at least twice as far as your finger is moved it is bizarre and almost impossible to control precisely. It can be described as “fiddley”. Maybe this is some iPhone vs iPad issue I use iPad. SimpleHome volume control was much better, though I’d rather either of them actually change volume in real time as you move the control. Nobody likes getting suddenly blasted! Wants to pair anew with Apple TV every time apple TV activity is started. While you can bring back your old SimpleControl remotes, still doesn’t bring back side by side remote and PG and remote layout is then different and awkward on iPad. Plus publisher has stated they will remove ability to your your old SimpleControl designs in the future. So why bother, just to buy some time? They’ve removed support for iTach for new designs but you can keep if already using. But have stated this will eventually go away in the future. I can find no explantation for why? Is this to promote purchase of their own blaster product? I do NOT want any kind of blaster! I have hidden equipment and no convenient place for a blaster that would hit the exposed equipment. Thus I use itach with individual emitters. I do not want to have to replace perfectly good hardware that works for me. —- Publisher apparently convinced Apple to remove my previous review in any case it disappeared. I mentioned I am an app developer myself I will clarify that I’m not involved with any competing app or even close! Check to see if your own critical review was “disappeared” if so repost. Apple will eventually figure it out. (Publishers are not able to delete reviews themselves, but they can cry to Apple and try to convince them to delete).

Give it some time

nyjklein

The new interface can be a shock at first. But give it some time and I think it will quickly grow on you. And once you start to realize all the new capabilities, you'll be sold.

Best version yet

Njbrodeur87

App looks beautiful, works great, so much better then previous versions. Love smart home integration as well.

Best remote app on the market!

ahwman

I’ve stopped counting the number of apps I’ve tried to control all of my AV equipment. Besides the lengthy learning curves and elaborate configurations, you either spend a LOT of time and effort building custom remotes to your liking, or end up settling for half baked solutions with huge compromises. Simple Control gives you the best of both worlds. You can literally set up all of your remotes and equipment in minutes instead of hours all while enjoying high end features... Love it!

Not an update but a rollback

General Custer 21

This app has taken a major step backwards. The ui is terrible. The app used to be intuitive. This not so much. Seems like things were just changed for change sake. Go back to how things were

Simple Control Home Remote Reviews – Page 8