SofaBaton X1 Universal Remote with Hub & APP, All in One Universal Remote Control with Customize Activities, Control Up to 60 IR/Bluetooth/WiFi Devices

Did a decent job with Yamaha receiver and Yamaha Blu-ray player. Worked with Chromecast with Google TV after some manual tweaking. Will not operate power on a Sony Bravia TV even after going through the factory remote learning process. Product support and the return process has been excellent. I will monitor the product updates and consider a repurchase when it covers my devices.

The company does not understand the concept of “backward compatibly”.It will only work on a 2.4 GHz WiFi (Keep in mind that 4 band routers exist now). So fine….I turned off the dual 2.4/5 GHz functionality on my router and made it only 2.4 GHz. I was able to get it to recognize the network as I could see it on the list of “Connected Devices”. However, the iPhone and iPad app would not “find it”. Even though everything is strictly 2.4 GHz.So I googled the problem and the solution was to “update the software” on the hub……???????How do you update the software if you can’t get internet access to it!!!!Has any IT developer heard of an Ethernet port? A simple Ethernet port would of allowed me to update the software. IT people……here’s a hint….If you can’t connect to the internet….you can’t perform a software update!!!

Setup is simple: AVR receiver/amp, standard TV, smart-streaming box for streaming subscription service (i.e. there is no cable or cablebox in the setup).I had to engage them to get my receiver recognized -- it was not recognized out of the box, we eventually got that working. I'm an engineer, tech savy so I can handle some technical issues. However at this price point you expect it to just work. Once programmed, this solution worked as expected at times and fails others.The Upside:1) Their phone app works well in place of the handset when the handset is not in use2) There are programmable buttons - I have setup a preprogrammed faster forward Step. My streaming service SKIP button default is 10s , so I added a program button to send it 3 times (30s) to step over commercials, limiting how times I have to press a button to skip commercials.The Problem with the product is the handset:1) The handset remote often disconnects or looses connection with the hub if the handset is not in constant use - such as streaming a single channel for many hours. Example: having streaming music on most of the day, then wife comes into the room and wants to switch to our streaming TV provider app to see her shows and the remote doesn't seem to do anything. When this happens, it is extremely frustrating to get it back working -- often resorting to having to use the phone app talking to the hub for immediate control to get her where she wants to be. So the app and hub work as expected and if that is your use case then you will likely be happy. If you want to be a handset remote customer, this vendors solution still needs work.2) The handset is rechargable but doesn't last very long and the battery status is not on the screen under normal use making it likely that you will run it out of battery. Only way to see the battery life is to manually navigate the handset menu's back to the very top handset screen to see the remaining battery life indication, which is not the screen present under normal activity usage. Therefore, at times, when the handset seems to not be working (issue above), you may realize that this time it is battery charge issue -- Therefore, again, needing to goto the phone app to control the TV until you can get the handset charged. An improvement would be to get the battery icon on the activity screen you are using so it's always visible. Another alternative would be to join strategies of some of it's competitors --this handset doesn't have a recharging cradle to plug into when not in use -- there is a USBC port for charging so you can plug it into a cable but at this price point, a simple molded plastic cradle that could sit on end-table next to your couch or chair would be a more professional and useful solution, enabling the device to be easily docked and charged when not in use.

Software difficult to set up. It’s confusing

First and foremost. This was supposed to be a new item and someone's else information was set up on this. I did not pay for refurbished, I expected this item to be new. The directions said the light was supposed to be green, but never did turn green so supposedly returned for a reason. Even so, it worked well for awhile, but then just suddenly quit working a few days past the return date. I am very dissatisfied with this remote. For how expensive this remote is, it should not have broke so soon. Do not waste your money on this junk. I am very upset I wasted my time setting up this remote with every device to have this happen.

So as a photographer gamer and movie enthusiast. It's no wonder that there's a lot of remotes in my house. While I got comfortable with my touch screen WiFi controller apps to control my house. I'm always forced to return to a remote control. While this may be a pricey alternative this may be the best alternative with the easy to use interfacing. Just follow the app on screen instructions and you'll be up and running in no time. Add all your devices and watch the magic happen as it gets rid of all your remotes even the TV that touts Universal one remote control didn't stand up against the sofa baton. This really is the one remote to rule I mean control them all. Everything is right there on screen so you know what you're controlling without guessing what you last chose. Scroll using the ball and press down on it to select. If there's functions missing they're not. They're all tucked away with an easy to read screen. I love this thing I'm going to grab another.