Peel Technologies
| Industry | Software |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founders | Bala Krishnan Thiru Arunachalam |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Thiru Arunachalam (CEO) Bala Krishnan (CPO) |
Peel is a software firm headquartered in Mountain View, California, specializing in a mobile app that functions as a universal remote.[1][2]
This application came preloaded on certain Samsung and HTC smartphones. By the year 2015, Peel had amassed more than 120 million registered users. Since 2017, it has encountered allegations related to adware-like conduct.
History
Founded in 2009 by CEO Thiru Arunachalam and Chief Product Officer Bala Krishnan,[3][4] Peel Smart Remote established key alliances with Samsung[5] and HTC to have its app pre-installed on devices distributed in India, which contributed significantly to its user base expansion. By 2015, the company reported handling upwards of 100 billion remote control commands from its 120 million users.[5]
To date, Peel has secured funding exceeding $90 million.[6]
Peel Smart Remote
The Peel Smart Remote application serves as a universal remote control tool that allows users to operate various devices, engage socially during television programs, schedule recordings, and receive alerts for upcoming shows.[7][8][9] It offers compatibility with both infrared (IR) hardware and WiFi for controlling equipment.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Offered on iOS and Android platforms, the app is pre-installed on devices equipped with infrared blasters such as the Samsung Galaxy S6 and HTC One M9,[3][10] occasionally without providing an option to uninstall.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name[11]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
In 2014, Peel processed an average of 30 billion remote commands monthly, operating across more than 200 countries and supplying program guides in over 110 markets.[6][4]
Controversy
Beginning in 2017, the Android version of the app attracted criticism for presenting advertisements on the lock screen and displaying full-screen ads immediately after unlocking the device. This was facilitated by the app running continuously in the background. In 2019, reports emerged that Peel transmitted users’ photos and personal information to an external server; this practice was later halted without any official explanation. Subsequently, the application was removed from Google Play.
External links
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