Panasonic TV Remote 2 App Review (Android)
Panasonic has faded away in recent years but they are still making great products. Well, at least the Panasonic TV Remote is a great looking app. First party apps are either extremely great or insanely poor. This remote app for Android is neither mind blowing nor a pain to use. It is somewhere on the sweet spot between usability and utility.
It was a little hard to track down the Viera TVs in the mall because there is no official store here in my locale. But thankfully I was able to find one store which kept Panasonic TVs only to know they have one model in stock. So in short, this review will be based on only one test subject.
Related: Android TV
The Good
The app has a very clean and almost surgical look to it. One of the best things I liked about the app is that the tablet interface is not messed up. Usually companies don’t know how to handle all that screen space and end up making the buttons too big or too spaced out. This app however does a great job managing the screen real estate. The app works as intended and there were no hiccups faced during the time I spent with the app.
The Bad
Initially there were some problems with the connection. The app was not detecting my phone and I tried everything. I reinstalled the app and it magically worked. I don’t know whether it was a bug or not, but sure was stressful. There is no IR option either, so I had to connect to a Wi-Fi network to connect the both devices. Also I was not able to send any video from my phone to the TV for some reason. I think the MKV files on my phone were incompatible with the TV.
The Bottom Line
There is not much negative to say about the app. It’s not over ambitious and does what it promises. The app runs fine and provides some quality features to the owners of Panasonic smart TVs. I would have loved to have an IR option in the app. But of course the features which use extensive data would have to be closed down. If you need a simple remote to control the TV, check out the best remote apps for Android list.
Getting Started
Downloading the app to your smartphone or tablet is a simple and standard process. All you need to do is go to the Google Play Store page and click on install. The app will automatically start downloading. After the app is installed on the phone, it’s just a matter of launching the app.
Right on the start the app will try to connect to your TV. Make sure you have the TV and the smartphone/tablet on the same wireless network. The app should be able to find your TV in a few moments.
Interface
This Android remote app for smart TV comes with a simple looking interface. The app divides the main features into different sections. This is a great way of making sure the displayed interface remains simple and easy to use.
Tap on the top left corner of the app and you can see other available options. There is a pad option which allows you to control the items on screen with ease.
Then there is a keyboard which may come in handy while using apps on TV. Social networking apps almost always require a use of a keyboard and now you can interact with them right from the couch. Although I highly recommend the better Android apps for social media.
Ease of Use
While I don’t think you can operate the app without even looking at the remote, the standard remote interface can be memorized easily. There are not many options to choose, from the main TV remote. There is only volume, channel, input and mute option on the remote.
So in theory, it is much easier to use. I would have liked more buttons or at least some level of customization, but this simple interface is great for normal users.
The app is fairly easy to use and there is a great demo mode to guide you through the process. The app helps you understand the major features with constant pop ups and hints.
Features
The app has some great features but unfortunately for me, sharing media was not that smooth. Maybe it was my own fault for using odd formats. But MKV media is extremely popular these days, my old simple full HD Samsung TV can handle that.
The rest of the features like app launcher and smart calibration worked really well. The app launcher basically launches apps installed on your smart TV. Smart calibration would help you get the best picture quality, colour and contrast out of your TV. The app also comes with a dedicate button for the web browser.
Permissions and Concerns
Thankfully this TV remote app for Android is not a nosy one. It keeps to itself and does not require any information from you at all. There is nothing saved on your internal storage other than the necessary settings. This is one of the most secure apps around. Most first party apps for products tend to keep to themselves.
Conclusion
Panasonic TV Remote is a simple app which can help you take more control over your smart TV. The app is nothing special when it comes to usage but is stable and provides a quality experience. If you have a Panasonic smart TV, you should get this app regardless of your need. If you have any questions or are facing any problem, feel free to share it with me in the comments.
Great article. For those who live outside US like me, you can access Netflix, Hulu and similar media stations on your Panasonic Smart TV by using UnoTelly or similar tools.