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.
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
Getting Started
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
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
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 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
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.
