Touchscreen Remote for Apple TV?

[MacRumors]

Boy Genius Report claims that it has received an image of a product mockup for a forthcoming touchscreen remote that may be launched alongside an updated Apple TV. While the mockup appears to show a rather sophisticated (and likely costly) device that initially seems hard to believe, the report notes that the source providing the image is the same one who accurately offered information on iTunes 9's iPhone home screen organization and social networking features.

It seems a little far-fetched that this unit's only purpose would be to control an Apple TV, and you can even see a Safari option on the mockup. To be honest, it looks like a touch screen iPod nano, just longer. We're going to dig a little bit and see what we can find, but we figured we'd run this with a high dose of caution for informational purposes.

Apple earlier this month reconfigured its Apple TV offerings, eliminating the 40 GB model and dropping the price of the 160 GB model to $229.

Article Link: Touchscreen Remote for Apple TV?

 

[David G.]

One things for certain, Apple needs to spend [at least] a little more time on its hobbies.

 

[TerrorOFdeath]

Looks like an bigger Version of Microsofts Zune HD

Tod

 

[dwhittington]

Indeed a dedicated touchscreen remote device seems overkill. But perhaps a dedicated device similar to this mockup was used to test the remote application that might be part of another more robust and super secret product. Could it be? Could it be?

 

[iOrlando]

no idea what it is or does but i'm buying it.

 

[iWizzard]

Is this really needed? most apple TV users I would guess hav a Iphone or Ipod touch. I see no deed to useIr if you al reddy have wifi

 

[orangeillini14]

Maybe it works with all computers too...

The volume slider seems way too low on the device, looks bad and would be even worse when using it.

 

[AlexisV]

Why the crappy compression? Font doesn't look Helvetica to me.

 

[mac jones]

I just was looking at a preview of the Chocolate at (Gizmodo?) .

This looks a whole lot like that.

 

[darnovo]

i am quite certain that apple said they were updating their remote that comes with everything... my guess is that this is real and is a small nano sized ipod touch that only has the ability to control the computer / apple tv... for instance the safari button doesnt launch safari on the device but on the computer or what not

 

[blizaine]

The only way I could see Apple doing this is if it was a full home theater remote to compete with Harmony and others. But it still seems unlikely. Especially, when you already have awesome control of the ATV via the iPhone/iPod Touch.

 

[clayj]

Is this really needed? most apple TV users I would guess hav a Iphone or Ipod touch. I see no deed to useIr if you al reddy have wifi

I've got an iPhone *and* an iPod Touch, both with the Remote app configured to run my Apple TV. The last thing I need is *another* remote, no matter how cool it is.

Now, here's what I'd like to see: Logitech and Apple get together and make a Harmony remote app that runs on the iPhone/iPod Touch and talks to a WiFi remote extender module so you can control your entire home theatre system. That would be cool.

 

[fiatlux]

I got one already... well, my Logitech Harmony One has a touch screen and I can control my AppleTV with it.

 

[dwhittington]

Meanwhile, at the Hershey company meeting...

One more thing.... we've made this beautiful new candy bar for electronics lovers and we're sending the first one to Steve Jobs.

 

[rockstarjoe]

There is a LOT wrong with that picture. Why the Zune interface style? Why the scrollbar at the bottom? Why so big? None of it makes sense.

 

[Small White Car]

Remember, Apple devlops a ton of concept devices that never see the light of day.

This very well could be a real secret snuck out of Apple HQ but it doesn't mean they're ever planning on selling it.

 

[azboricua]

It looks like the Zune Interface.

 

[WG5516]

C'mon guys, it's fake. It looks identical to the new Zune. Plus the photoshopping is horrible. Look at the top of the device and it's misaligned. *Goes to eat turkey sandwich*

 

[MadCow42]

Think further...

If you extend your thinking a little, and imagine it also being a game controller (using the AppleTV as a game machine), it's not so far-fetched. It has about the right format to be a Wii-esque controller, although I personally find the lack of tactile input to be tough for gaming.

AppleTV's on my wish list, but I'm holding off until the next (if any) update. We'll see where this goes...

 

[Darth.Titan]

Maybe it works with all computers too...

The volume slider seems way too low on the device, looks bad and would be even worse when using it.

The fact that it has a volume slider at all seems to scream BS. The AppleTV remote doesn't do volume. It can't.

 

[tmofee]

heh. probably fake, why bother anyways when you can buy a cheap touch and have the same thing? oh, i wish they would make better remote software. thank goodness for rowmote..

 

[sanPietro98]

It doesn't seem to gel with Apple's "smaller is better" philosophy.

 

[LeviG]

Personally I think its a fake. Also iirc the ipod touch can do the whole apple tv remote thing, why would they need a device when they can just sell an ipod touch (or an app) at a higher price, it would need to be around £50 to really be worthwhile over say a harmony 1 (£100 roughly) etc as that can control everything not just the apple tv.

 

[idiosyncratic i]

this seems like page 2 fodder. So very fake, for the reasons in the original post, and for all of the above reasons found in the replies. I'm sure apple is experimenting with more touch screen interfaces, but once you have the hardware required to make a touch screen remote, you basically have an ipod touch. Why not just sell one of those?

 

[Tilpots]

I like it. Been waiting for a sign that Apple's going to fight for the living room and I think this is truly it. A touchscreen remote? From Apple? Game on.