Peel Wants to Be the Controller for Your Smart Home Systems

We’ve come a long way since “the clicker.”

These days, most remote controls have all sorts of features that go beyond flipping channels and adjusting the volume on the TV. Now almost every type of remote strives to be a universal remote. Peel is adding its name to the growing list of options, introducing the Peel Smart Remote app.

Previously, the app relied on infrared (IR) technology to tap into TVs, DVRs and other video products. However, due to customer demand, Peel will soon add options to control smart thermostats, lighting, air conditioners, plugs, and other smart home systems. The list of compatible devices is expected to include the Nest thermostat, Belkin’s WeMo lineup, and much more.

The Peel app will be able to tap into all of those smart home systems via IR, Bluetooth and WiFi, as well as a new interface. Part of that experience will include preset “Peel-in” room experiences that integrate multiple home electronics into one button.

“A Peel-in living room experience might involve simultaneously turning on the TV and sound system, closing the blinds, adjusting room temperature and lowering the lights, all with the tap of one button,” said Bala Krishnan, Peel’s co-founder and chief product officer.

Currently, the Peel app comes preloaded on more than half of all Android phones and tablets, with the company claiming over 100 million users worldwide—which translates into more than 7 billion remote commands a month. That type of built-in audience will give a lot of people the chance to experience what some of these smart home systems can do, and could possibly fuel further adoption and product purchases well.

Recently, the company was previewing the Peel Smart Remote app’s capabilities at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The Peel app can be downloaded through iTunes and the Google Play Store. However, the smart home features aren’t expected to roll out for another month or so.