Remote’s iPad interface is an easy way to navigate your iTunes library or Apple TV.
Unless you’ve invested in a universal remote, simply watching a movie can require more remotes than we have limbs to operate. But a pair of apps can help reduce that clutter by letting you run much of your entertainment from your iPhone and iPad. Apple’s Remote app (free, universal) is a no-brainer for controlling iTunes on your Mac or media on your Apple TV from your iPhone or iPad. If you listen to music on your Mac or stream music from your Mac to your stereo via an Apple TV, AirPort Express, or to some AirPlay-enabled speakers, Remote can control it, including creating and editing playlists, creating Genius playlists, searching your library, and more. It’s simple but robust, and (sing it with us), it just works.
TiVo includes a ton of extra info about all your favorite shows, as well as letting you schedule recordings and Season Passes.
If TiVo is the king of your entertainment kingdom, the free TiVo app for iPad works as a stellar remote for the TiVo Premiere DVR. Unfortunately, it doesn’t let you watch shows from your Now Playing list on your iPad, but it’ll do everything else with a great gesture-filled interface. You can schedule recordings, browse programming guides without the onscreen popups on your TV, and the iPad’s software keyboard makes typing in searches so much easier than using the traditional TiVo remote. You can even get extra info on what you’re watching, from episode guides to cast bios to recommendations and more.
TiVo’s touchscreen gestures can control navigation and playback.
