Perhaps the most novel non-gaming function of the tablet-esque controller is its IR-based universal remote control ability -- the GamePad can be used to control your HDTV (well, "most" HDTVs) in some basic, but very important, ways.

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The only trouble we initially ran into was that our original no-frills Freeview box wasn't listed on SlingPlayer's IR code database, and since the SlingBox couldn't be trained using our own remote control, we had to procure a compatible Freeview box.

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Samsung Smart Remote, powered by Peel, utilizes the built-in IR emitter in the GALAXY Note 10.1 to transform the device into a sophisticated universal remote control that can control an entire home entertainment system and even recommend programs.

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