Tired of controlling Netflix on your PlayStation 4 with an unwieldy game controller? Probably not, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a remote around, like this official one. It has buttons that make the PS4 and other devices do things.
Crafted for Sony by the fine folks at PDP, the PlayStation 4 Universal Media Remote is the sort of accessory that’s pretty easy to evaluate. It connects to the console via Bluetooth, and once connected allows the user to navigate PS4 menus, control entertainment apps—that sort of thing.
It’s nice to hold, with a lovely textured back for easy gripping. The underside of the remote features a graceful curve, making it feel slightly better in the hand than a long flat rectangle.
Start up a game and the PlayStation 4 Universal Media remote shuts down all of the PS4 controls except for the Home button, which is great in case it gets stuck in the couch and you wind up sitting on it. I’ve lost the remote three or four times now, which just proves it is an actual remote control.