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Upcoming Apple TV iOS Update to Unlock Bluetooth Keyboard Support

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MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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Last year, it was revealed that Apple may have been working on offering Bluetooth keyboard pairing with the second-generation Apple TV.
The ability to pair a Bluetooth keyboard with the Apple TV would obviously make for significantly easier text entry, simplifying such tasks as initial setup with iTunes Store accounts and Wi-Fi network passwords as well as day-to-day content searching.
Click to expand...
9to5Mac now reports that Apple seems ready to deploy Bluetooth into its Apple TV products, as the latest Apple TV developer beta now allows you to pair a Bluetooth keyboard to a 2nd or 3rd generation Apple TV.

Once you connect a Bluetooth keyboard to your Apple TV, you can completely control it without using the included remote or an iOS device. The arrow keys are used for navigation, the return key is used to play or pause and the escape key acts as the "menu" or up "one level" button. And of course, searching becomes easier with a full hardware keyboard.

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The update only allows Bluetooth keyboards, so pairing Bluetooth speakers, mice or even Macs will not work. 9to5Mac noted that they were able to pair a Logitech Bluetooth keyboard to the Apple TV succesfully, so the update isn't limited to Apple keyboards.

Although currently limited in functionality to a simple keyboard, it's thought that eventually Apple could open up Bluetooth support to allow a mic-based remote or iOS device to use Siri with Apple TV.

Article Link: Upcoming Apple TV iOS Update to Unlock Bluetooth Keyboard Support
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2012/12/08/upcoming-apple-tv-ios-update-to-unlock-bluetooth-keyboard-support/
dXTC

dXTC

macrumors 68020
Oct 30, 2006
2,033
50
Up, up in my studio, studio
I have an Apple wireless keyboard that came with my current iMac that never got used (I purchased an extra wired extended keyboard with it). If this happens, this would be beyond awesome.
 
H

hlfway2anywhere

Cancelled
Jul 15, 2006
1,544
2,338
hopefully it also comes with the feature where it actually plays half the stuff I try to watch on Hulu Plus. Two AppleTVs, both of them fail on the same videos.
 
ArtOfWarfare

ArtOfWarfare

macrumors G3
Nov 26, 2007
9,557
6,057
I have my AppleTV set up to respond to my Comcast remote when it's set to AUX. it's vastly better than the included Apple remote range wise (I can use it from 30' away... My apple remote only works from about 10' away.)

I've never managed to get the iOS app to work...
 
P

profets

macrumors 603
Mar 18, 2009
5,114
6,146
About time.. Been able to do this for a while with my jailbroken Apple TV. Very convenient.

Feels like there's so much potential for the Apple TV but I guess they're moving cautiously.
 
oneMadRssn

oneMadRssn

macrumors 603
Sep 8, 2011
5,976
13,988
Maybe someone can find an bluetooth security exploit and finally jailbreak the atv3
 
ovrlrd

ovrlrd

macrumors 65816
Aug 29, 2009
1,384
146
Meh, I am still waiting for them to update the iPad Remote app so that there is more interfacing. It would be nice to see a lot of feedback on the iPad itself rather than the TV, letting you navigate menus by looking at the iPad instead of the TV.
 
bigandtasty

bigandtasty

macrumors 6502a
Dec 26, 2006
522
557
dweezle3 said:
Finally!
Click to expand...

NO kidding! Been waiting for this for the longest. I like the remote it ships with for basic point/click but having to re-enter my password to get back on my network when switching over from goflex satellite takes forever! with a keyboard I could jump back and forth with ease.

Thanks Apple, release update at will!
 
CindyRed

CindyRed

macrumors member
May 26, 2011
77
0
This is not the update you're looking for.

Still waiting for third party apps...
 
B

brendu

Cancelled
Apr 23, 2009
2,472
2,703
deanbo said:
What is the difference between an Apple TV and a Mac Mini?
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One streams iTunes content and has netflix and hulu plus streaming. One is a Mac computer. They are completely different products targeted at completely different uses.
 
B

brendu

Cancelled
Apr 23, 2009
2,472
2,703
CindyRed said:
Still waiting for third party apps...
Click to expand...

This is what I am waiting for. Until this happens my Xbox will be my TV set top box. I dont have cable and use my Xbox for everything. Apple needs apps before that changes.
 
QuarterSwede

QuarterSwede

macrumors G3
Oct 1, 2005
9,781
2,031
Colorado Springs, CO
ovrlrd said:
Meh, I am still waiting for them to update the iPad Remote app so that there is more interfacing. It would be nice to see a lot of feedback on the iPad itself rather than the TV, letting you navigate menus by looking at the iPad instead of the TV.
Click to expand...
Yes! The one thing I wish I could do on the Remote app is turn AirPlay on. Right now if I'm in my bedroom and i want to listen to music from the AppleTV I have to walk down the hall to the great room and tap option on my iPhone and look at the TV to navigate to "Speakers ..." LAME.
 
APlotdevice

APlotdevice

macrumors 68040
Sep 3, 2011
3,145
3,861
It was said before, but it bares repeating: finally!

Now I just want that remote...

Icaras said:
Me too. No need to spend an additional $70 for this if you have an iOS device already.
Click to expand...

There's also no need to spend an additional $70 if you already own a Bluetooth keyboard. :rolleyes:
 
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M

mslide

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2007
707
2
About ***** time. Now it won't take me 10 minutes to type in a password or search for something.
 
J

jaroth1290

macrumors newbie
Jul 18, 2011
3
0
Does this mean you will be able to use your macbook's keyboard with bluetooth to control the apple tv? obviously my macbook has bluetooth and a keyboard...but i dont have a spare bt keyboard laying around
 
APlotdevice

APlotdevice

macrumors 68040
Sep 3, 2011
3,145
3,861
jaroth1290 said:
Does this mean you will be able to use your macbook's keyboard with bluetooth to control the apple tv? obviously my macbook has bluetooth and a keyboard...but i dont have a spare bt keyboard laying around
Click to expand...

Well there are applications for the Mac that allow it to mimic a BT keyboard.
 
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