Rogers now lets customers use smartphones and tablets as TV remotes

It might not be a reason to pick up and move to Ontario, but it’s pretty cool. Rogers Communications today announced that Ontario residents will now be able to perform a host of functions on their television using a smartphone or tablet. It might not be a reason to pick up and move to Ontario, but it’s pretty cool.

Rogers Communications (TSX:RCI.B) today announced that Ontario residents will now be able to perform a host of functions on their television using a smartphone or tablet.

The new addition to Rogers Anyplace TV™ Home Edition lets users scroll through TV listings, use their device as a remote control, manage PVR recordings, and stream live TV, all with a BlackBerry, Ipad or Android device.

John Boynton, Rogers executive vice-president and chief marketing officer, described a potentially remote-free future:

“Our customers love to combine TV viewing with multi-tasking. The Rogers Anyplace TV Home Edition app is the ultimate TV companion that provides a seamless experience for our customers,” he said “By offering TV management features, in addition to live streaming on tablets, customers can control content from a second screen without interrupting what’s currently on their TV. This represents the next step in our commitment to delivering the world-leading internet experiences customers want and expect from Rogers.”

Today’s news follows on the heels of Rogers Live TV, which was released this time last year. The service was the first in Canada to allow subscribers live stream content on their tablets.

At press time, shares of Rogers Communications on the TSX were down 1% to $43.55.

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