Do I have to have an apple remote to work my Apple TV

RAW,

You can use the app to control the apple TV but you would need an original remote to set it up if you need to reset it. It worked fine for me with remote app on iPod Touch until I found the remote again.

Jules

but if one suspend the device then I don't believe the remote app can wake it but for other purposes it works fine

i also programming my logitech harmony one remote to work with the apple tv

it does support waking the device up too