Simple Control Legacy (Formerly Roomie Remote) App Reviews

I have no doubt this app and related suite of programs and appliances can do a lot, but wading through support and directions takes patience. As others have mentioned, related costs can really add up.

When I first started using this as Roomie Remote it worked. A little tricky to set up but once in place it was good. Then they rebranded. Their tech support went right down the tubes, but worst of all, the app is now so buggy I can only get it to work on one device. Im convinced this is due to their new in app purchase policies and subscription plans. Waiting for a competitor to arise with a simpler solution so I can kick this one to the curb and move on.

Great app! I control MCE, Pioneer receiver, Panasonic TV Epson Projector and Plex plus WEMO, Lutron Caseta Pro Bridge and Philips Hue lights all in one app. Lights go off with the play button and on with the stop. Not all my devices are IP controlled but with their Roomie/Simple Blaster I can control the IR devices with the app as well. Powerful app for the price. Some reviews from Roomie customers like my self, complained about the changes. I read the information Roomie provided at the time of change to find out I needed to upgrade to Simple Service to run Echo and Remote Access but, because I had other legacy purchases I just needed Simple Service 3 so it was a $3/yr increase and I canceled renewal for RS. I thought it was reasonable for the new features that will come with the Simple Service. One time fees are nice but this service will help future proof my system as Simple makes home automation cooler and easier to use on a mobile platform.

Tons of equipment is supported, with incredible detail. I particularly like the network control so I don’t need any IR blasters, etc. It works great. But you are are limited to 3 devices and then you have to start forking over money monthly or yearly. If you only have an AV Receiver, TV, and one other device, you are fine. Add a bluray player, Xbox, etc. you may need to buy (forever) the service. Another subscription is just what I do not need, so I’m done with Roomie. Sad.

Ever since it went from Roomie Remote to Simple Control, it is no longer worth the price. I got the unlimited devices for a one time fee, and purchased several IR repeaters. Ive been very happy with it until it went to Simple Control. There is no family sharing awareness which makes paying a fee per month for 4 people insane. Ive already spent several hundred on hardware and unlimited devices under the previous program, and now Im supposed to spend $50 a year for each family member? (Yes I have more than 20 devices) Dont look here anymore for your home automation solution.

Took a bit to set up. But now we run everything from our phones and iPad...TVs, Sonos, lights, nest...pretty cool!

Our whole family benefits from this app. Even our kids can use this. I love it while I am in the kitchen and my 2 year old asks to change a channel. I can do it as I am cooking!

Been using this app for years. Ive tried many alternatives to controlling home theater, lighting, etc, but Simple wins, hands down. I cant help but think those attacking it are not capable of setting up basic things. It cant set up itself, so does require thought / logic. Great solution.

Love the app. Needs LIfx light bulbs support. It would also be nice to see integration with ifttt.com. This would really take this app to the next level!

Whats up folks , this app is excellent , Ive been a customer for 2 years with lots of updates, and now this baby just is my go to remote forever. Pros: Multi device, Home security camera , and TV Guide , Thermostat control and lots more! Con: IP address changes on the Airport Extreme causes a reprogramming of the remote. Thats it , only my honest opinion looks great on iPad mini . Buying the add/on a little pricey.

With IOS 9.2.1 this app hangs on the update.

Have used this app for over 3 years now. I LOVE the TV guide. The guides for AppleTV, Sonos ++ makes this app its own category. Have spent a lot on remotes over the years and this solution I can maintain, keeps up with changes, and can use throughout my home. AppleTV IP Control is amazing. Had a working system very fast and have migrated to mostly IP controlled devices over time but use the adapters for some things and they work well, gesture interface is great and didnt require complex programming.

Loved the app but the widget is not working. Please update the app

Awesome. Mixed IR control and LAN wifi control. I have Roku, AppleTV attached to TVs. I wanted a solution for single activity control that sets input source, turns on appropriate devices, and allows mixed volume control. Needed to buy $100 worth of wifi IR blaster hardware, and $15 of in-app purchases to get it working but its awesome and reliable and feature rich. Dont hesitate. Just buy it. I threw away my Logitech Harmony.

I had rated this app highly, but with the change from Roomie to Simple Control the app has become, well... complex. So incredibly frustrating using simple service and simple sync. I can no longer recommend this app.

Back in 2012, I was bidding to renovate a conference room for one of the world’s largest advertising agencies. In NYC, Crestron is the de facto standard in professional/commercial controls and automation. I had just launched a new tech firm and wanted to put in a better bid than my competitors. I did a lot of research into new automation platforms and found Roomie- now Simple Control! My bid was $30,000 cheaper than my nearest competitor, due to my choice of Roomie over Crestron. (My automation and control line item was around $1300 and that included 2 iPads). Some of my associates, including my agency contact thought I would lose the bid because they felt I wasn’t comparing “apples-to-apples” since they thought Roomie (Simple Control) would be inferior. The truth is, I was nervous! I had never seen the product in use. But all I read about it convinced me, so I took a huge gamble!! I was able to control all of the AV components and a Windows Media Center HTPC, flawlessly!!! In the years since, they NEVER called me due to a failure, EXCEPT when their IT people changed the IP address structure and didn’t update the Roomie (Simple Control) components. So, since 2012, the room has been perfect!! I immediately made Simple Control my platform of choice!! The platform is amazing because it speaks so many protocols and can “ingest” so many other systems that you can control a far wider number of devices than any other system I’m aware of. It can talk WeMo, Insteon, Nest, Lutron, Smart Things, and more!!! I think the people who gave it low ratings don’t truly understand Simple Control. It can be a very consumer friendly universal remote or an esoteric full automation system… and everything in-between! The developers have taken it to a new level and I hope they keep expanding the platform. Crestron, Control 4,Savant, and others… You’ve been warned!!

Use this all the time. Works perfectly

Its absolutely the best home control software. Ive tried lots!

Even though you spend $10 on this product is still not work on your Apple Watch and less you buy a monthly subscription.

Before the update I was able to change channel on my apple watch by pressing what number channel I want, now they took it out to simplify it. What a headache going through the TV guide moving one channel at a time to select what you want to watch. Imagine I was on channel 3 and want to watch channel 720, now I have to hit the arrow down button 717 time to get to channel 720, if you call that simplify lol. Please add back the number button to the Apple watch.