Just when we were coming to grips with the idea that the Philips Pronto was good and truly gone, comes a press release from Philips that digs up the old name again. Sing praise: the Pronto is back!

Well... sort of. The new Pronto has precious little to do with the advanced Pronto remote controls we’re all familiar with, and is more Philips capitalizing on a well-known (and respected) brand. In this situation, Philips has teamed up with Peel for an iPhone-based remote control system that utilizes the Peel Smart Remote App, paired with a small Bluetooth-based basestation, dubbed the “Pronto”, which features a central IR blaster and an “IR extension cable” for home theater control.

This isn’t the first time that Philips has played around with a smartphone-like adaptation of the Pronto. Although not well known, a product known as the ProntoLite was developed back in the days of the original Pronto generation, which replicated the Pronto experienced on a color Palm handheld.

The combo will be revealed fully at CES 2015, and is expected to ship near the end of January, after the show.

The full Pronto/Peel press release follows.

Pronto and Peel Turn Your iPhone into a Smart Universal Remote, Centralizing Control of Your Home Entertainment Systems

Leuven, Belgium – December 15, 2014 – Pronto, the latest device in connected home entertainment, together with the Peel Smart Remote app, turns your iPhone into a personalized universal remote control, completely changing the way viewers consume entertainment. Pronto allows you to control your entertainment devices, TVs, set-top boxes, DVDs and Blu-ray players, all from the iPhone already in your hand. Say goodbye to switching between standard remotes.

Not only can you centralize control of your television entertainment, you can also personalize it when you pair Pronto with the free Peel Smart Remote app. Peel offers customized viewing recommendations based on your interests and viewing habits. Live TV, DVR and streaming media are all at your fingertips. Your TV guide is no longer just on your TV, it’s in your hand. The Peel app allows you to keep up with all your favorite programs, sending you reminders to watch all the season’s hottest shows such as Gotham, Modern Family, How to Get Away with Murder and other top TV series. Together, Pronto and Peel offer both universal control and personalization via one simple entertainment hub.

Set up is easy and effortless. The palm-sized Pronto will fit in even the smallest of spaces. Its sleek black design blends with any home décor. Bluetooth Smart guarantees reliable connection with your iPhone. With Pronto’s optional IR extension cable, users can store multiple entertainment devices in a cabinet and still control the TV, keeping your entertainment center clutter-free and boxes and cables out of sight.

After you pair your iPhone to Pronto, you can use the Peel app to check your cable TV guide without even turning on your TV. The app will show you what’s airing in real-time, what you can watch later and even the popular shows people are buzzing about on Twitter. Set favorite channels, genres and shows to create your own personalized TV guide. If you don’t like anything airing currently, set a reminder for your favorite upcoming show and instead watch a movie on Blu-ray. No need to locate another remote to make this happen. Simply tap the universal remote icon in the top right corner of the app screen, select Blu-ray and hit play to switch up your viewing experience. Pronto with Peel is optimized to control more than 3,000 entertainment devices, including all major TV brands such as Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, Vizio, Panasonic and Toshiba.

Some users may prefer to catch up on their shows in the man cave or bedroom. Pronto is not just limited to your living room. With a second Pronto in your man cave, simply set up a new room in the Peel app and connect. Enjoy the freedom of personalized control from anywhere in the house.

Setting up your custom entertainment control center has never been more convenient. As the Peel app learns your viewing habits, your recommendations will become even more customized. Now you can come home after a long day, relax on the couch and let Peel find something good for you to watch.

Features:

• Reliable connectivity through Bluetooth Smart and infrared
• Long battery life (approximately 1 year)
• Includes an extension cable and 4 AA alkaline batteries
• Dimensions: 1.98” (L) x 3.57” (H) x 1.65” (L)
• Compatible with: iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and iPod Touch

Pronto will launch at this year’s 2015 International CES in Las Vegas in the Philips Home Control booth, South Hall #22010, and will be available for purchase late January.

About Pronto

Pronto has been synonymous with advanced control for decades. Now, Pronto offers a simple, powerful, yet affordable solution to take control of your home entertainment to a new level. Pronto turns your iPhone into a smart and personalized universal remote that enables you to virtually control all TVs, set-top boxes, DVD, Blu-ray players and more. Pair the device with the free Peel app, and benefit from personalized entertainment and control all from your smartphone or tablet. Receive ongoing recommendations based on your viewing habits and enjoy the freedom to select your experience. For more information, visit www.getpronto.com.

About Peel

Peel was founded to redefine the smart home control experience by seamlessly connecting users via their mobile devices and social media with personalized TV, cable and streamed content recommendations. With more than 100 million activated users in 200 countries and 6 billion monthly remote commands, Peel is the recognized leader in intuitive program discovery, intelligent home control, and TV program interaction. For more information, visit www.Peel.com.