@jpbturbo One of the biggest problems to me is the devices that require the remote to access advanced control features. Why I can't select the component input on my TV without the remote is beyond me!

I don't know if I understood you correctly. May be you need to find the discrete codes for the TV's component inputs and find a way to add these codes to the Remote App. This is where learning universal remotes shine. I don't know if the Android App allows for any learning. You may also need a programmable remote like JP1 remote to teach the discrete code to a learning remote or to your app.

May be this is not relevant to this thread..or may be it is.. as we are discussing ways to avoid remote clutter. :-)