So that does make sense, for sure, though my thinking was about how once it's connected to your home WiFi surely your phone is too and is less range limited.

But in terms of involving installing an app on your phone to emulate a remote, both are the same so it's no different. At least it's for more than just to configure it, mandating a connection to a phone you may or may not have seems like a stretch. At least by making it possible to use your BT for a remote you're expanding the features rather than breaking them.