Skip to main content

Logitech’s Harmony lets you put down your phone and use your TV for smart home control

logitech harmony sony android tv logitechharmonytvapp
It’s been a little over a year and a half since the Logitech Harmony home remote was introduced. Back then, we dubbed it “the magic wand for your house,” allowing users to control their home devices through the convenience of an app or the handy remote. Now, Logitech launched a new version of the app, specifically designed to work let you do all that from your Android television.

The new Harmony app, which is still in beta, is built to work with a smart television to control devices around your home. While connected to the Logitech Harmony Hub, you can control nearly everything in your smart home. Switch on the lights, adjust the thermostats, turn on the home entertainment system, and also or lower your blinds, right from your TV.

Once you install the app on your Android TV and sign into your Harmony account, the app will then prompt you to a screen displaying your personalized Harmony Activities in an accessible layout. You’ll be able to use the controls without having to pause what you’re watching, according to Logitech.

Users are able to add Harmony Activities to the Discover user interface and can be quickly accessed through the television remote’s Discover button. The app is compatible with any Logitech Harmony hub-based remote, and it is specifically designed for Sony’s Android TV. The app, available at the Play Store, is also compatible with the Nexus Player and ADT-1 but doesn’t support the NVIDIA Shield as of yet.

Since so many people watch TV with their phones out anyway, it might seem unnecessary to add smart home controls to the biggest screen the home, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes more and more common.

Maria Mora
Maria Mora is a creative, media professional fusing a background of audio production with editorial writing. Technology…
Finally, you can use a Google Nest smart speaker or display to find an iPhone
you can now use google assistant find your iphone my with

How often do you put your iPhone down and then forget where it is? If you're like most people, it happens more often than you'd care to admit. There's good news -- Google Assistant can now help you find your iPhone. While this isn't new for Android owners, support for the iPhone is no doubt a welcome addition.

All you have to do is say, "Hey Google, find my phone," and Google will ring your number. It doesn't matter if you have your phone on silent or not; it will still ring. This works even on iPhones, so don't worry if you aren't an Android or Google phone user. You can still take full advantage of the feature.

Read more
Logitech has killed the Harmony universal remote control
harmony-665

Logitech has announced that it will no longer manufacture its popular line of Harmony universal remote controls. In a blog post published on April 9, a spokesperson for the company said, "While Harmony remotes are and continue to be available through various retailers, moving forward Logitech will no longer manufacture Harmony remotes."

Over the years, Harmony remotes have become more and more capable, with the ability to control devices both inside and outside home theater setups, including a variety of Bluetooth and smart home devices like light bulbs and smart outlets.

Read more
5 ways to make your smart home display more useful while working from home
Nest Hub Max, using the touchscreen.

A smart display is more than just a way to check the weather, read up on the news, or control your smart home. It can provide you with quick information about specific subjects and streamline your day. Given how people are continuing to work from home, smart displays present themselves as the perfect deskside companion. Here are a few tips and tricks that can help your smart display be more than a simple tool -- it can be the centerpiece of your work-from-home experience.
Keep tabs on your schedule on the go

Many people think working from home is a more laid-back schedule, but it often involves juggling more tasks than you're used to. As a result, it can be tough to stay on top of your schedule, especially on particularly busy days. Your smart display can show your schedule at a glance and even alert you to upcoming meetings.

Read more