Apple Releases Redesigned 'Apple TV Remote' App for iPhone

[MacRumors]

Apple today released an all new Apple TV Remote app for the iPhone, which is used to control the fourth-generation Apple TV along with older Apple TV models. Announced at WWDC, the new Remote app has been available for developers since June and was released to the public this afternoon.

The new Remote app, which connects to an Apple TV via Bluetooth, mimics the exact layout of the physical Siri Remote for a navigation experience that's streamlined across different input methods. Its design was inspired by the Siri Remote and is a significant improvement over the previous Apple TV remote app.

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When content like movies or music plays, the Remote app features a full "Now Playing" view for control purposes, along with a dedicated Menu button and a Siri button. As with the physical Apple TV Remote, navigation through the iOS app is done using touch gestures.

Entering text, like passwords and usernames, is much easier with the iOS Remote app because any text field automatically brings up a keyboard. Full Siri voice commands are supported, as is dictation. Because it includes the same gyroscope and accelerometer in the Siri Remote, an iPhone can be used as a dedicated game controller for playing games on the Apple TV.

The Apple TV Remote app requires iOS 9.3.2 or later to install and it works with the current version of tvOS, 9.2.2. It can also be used to control Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3 models.

The Apple TV Remote app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Apple Releases Redesigned 'Apple TV Remote' App for iPhone

 

[bpeeps]

I got really excited for a second and then I saw the inclusion of "app" at the end of the title. Give us a new remote please, one where you can easily feel up from down.

 

[doverlock]

Just in case it isn't entirely obvious (wasn't to me at first ) this is a brand new app, not an update to the previous app. Couldn't find it yet through search, had to go to Apple's profile page in the App Store app to find it.

 

[thefourthpope]

The Apple TV Remote app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Thanks for the link. My App Store search was only bringing up the old remote.

 

[Macwick]

Gaaar doesn't look like the new app can be used to control iTunes on your Mac.

Only silver lining is that because they launched this as a new app, they'll presumably keep the legacy Remote around for those of us stupid enough to invest in Apple Airplay for full-home audio. Wonder how long they'll keep that app alive though.

 

[Menel]

omfg... a separate app? seriously?

 

[adeharding]

So all old features gone. Unable to select media to play, or devices to . Basically it's just a remote.

 

[seatton]

Eventually, I bet the biggest button will be for "Apple Music". I am not a subscriber, but I hate the fact that Apple is pushing Apple Music way to far.

 

[FasterQuieter]

No watch app?

 

[satinsilverem2]

You can control the volume using the volume buttons on the iPhone.

 

[jaxsoccer24]

"mimics the exact layout of the physical Siri Remote for a navigation experience that's streamlined across different input methods"

Except for the part where it isn't the exact layout of the physical Siri Remote... WTF?

 

[SgtPepper23]

Is it just like previous versions of the remote app that needed to be connected to the same network to function? i rarely have my iPhone connected to my home network, as my cellular data connection is faster than my home wifi and i've got unlimited data...

 

[Chuck Kostalnick]

I'm really glad that they released this in such a timely manner! We've only had the 4th Gen Apple TV for 10 months...

 

[Xavier]

Just in case it isn't entirely obvious (wasn't to me at first ) this is a brand new app, not an update to the previous app. Couldn't find it yet through search, had to go to Apple's profile page in the App Store app to find it.

Same! Found it though! Excited for this!

 

[kch50428]

Thanks for the link. My App Store search was only bringing up the old remote.

I found it via the Apps made by Apple link at the bottom of the AppStore page...

 

[CarlJ]

Thanks for the link. My App Store search was only bringing up the old remote.

I am shocked, shocked, to find out that gambling is taking place in this establishment - uh, I mean that the App Store search failed to find a new app. A new Apple app.

Also I'm having a hard time figuring out how this new app relates to, or will affect, players of Pokémon Go.

First impression of the app: works nice. Having a little trouble with Siri, but don't use her much on the TV. The scroll "pad" is nicely responsive. The details button is able to pick up track names from a third party streaming app ("the bat player"), which is nice.
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No watch app?

Control from the current watchOS would be an exercise in frustration. Perhaps when watchOS 3 goes live.

 

[WiseAJ]

I got really excited for a second and then I saw the inclusion of "app" at the end of the title. Give us a new remote please, one where you can easily feel up from down.

You want to feel your Apple TV remote up?

 

[danielagos]

Why didn't they just update the previous app with the new interface? And why is there no iPad version of the new app? Weird...

 

[smacrumon]

Bring us the full Apple TV. It's basically Apple TV built into iMac with a 36 inch or 40 inch screen. The market is sizable one would think.

 

[CarlJ]

omfg... a separate app? seriously?

Apple replaces a current app with a reboot and everyone complains that it isn't exactly the same as the old one. Apple releases a separate app and keeps the old one around and... complaints about that too? Which path through this could Apple take that would result in no outrage?

 

[6836838]

I'm really glad that they released this in such a timely manner! We've only had the 4th Gen Apple TV for 10 months...

Erm, the old version did work too.

 

[CarlJ]

Bring us the full Apple TV. It's basically Apple TV built into iMac with a 36 inch or 40 inch screen. The market is sizable one would think.

Except then folks would complain that it didn't have XYZ new feature or come in their particular favorite of 22 different sizes. There would be a market, but either lots and lots of SKUs or lots of complaints. Safer for Apple to do what they're doing, leave the screens to the screen makers.

I'm pretty happy with the current arrangement; since cutting the cord, pretty much everything I watch is via the Apple TV. I press one button on the universal remote to light it all up, then use the Siri Remote for everything else. Have to point vaguely in the TV's direction to change volume (it's an older model that doesn't do CEC, so that's IR), but handling everything with one compact remote (with less than 75 buttons) is really pleasant.

 

[tkermit]

Couldn't care less about Apple TV.

Is the regular Remote app ever getting an update?

 

[cmChimera]

Erm, the old version did work too.

The old one didn't have Siri.

 

[Richardgm]

No native iPad app? In 2016?

Lazy.