Apple to Release New Apple TV Remote App for iOS With Full Siri Functionality in First Half of 2016

[Gorms]

Apple didn't even bother refreshing the Home Sharing interface and you think they're going to add Siri Search to it? The best case for Home Sharing users is to use Plex and pray that the promised universal search API can be made to work with it.

Oh Lordy, Lordy, I'm praying hard on my knees that this is the case, It would literally be madness not to when that API is finally opened up.

Not saying this because I have issues with home sharing or Plex as is, but when that API is open I want all data in all apps to be indexable at the developers discretion (with appropriate user facing privacy settings where applicable), not just streamable video apps.

 

[JRobinsonJr]

Siri/Search on the new Apple TV is completely useless to me until it indexes/searches my Home Shared iTunes library of over 1,000 movies. 95% of the content I watch on the ATV is content I already own and have stored locally.

It seems ludicrous that if I ask it to play "Avengers", which is among my "Purchased" movies, Apple TV wants me to stream it over the internet rather than play it from the HD on my computer which is connected to the ATV. Apple is still under the delusion that everyone has fiber run to their homes and no data caps.

I will concur with the following addition: it would be great if Apple treated my Home Share as a "Streaming Cache"! Play locally if available, otherwise stream. If you play something - anything - repeatedly go ahead and download it then stream from there so that the next time it's played it will do so locally. This approach could work great with all types of media and could even be used by *gasp* tvOS games to locally cache gaming files!

 

[cycomiko]

I am mystified as to what makes a Macrumors forum member the arbiter of what "they should have done" years ago.

There are over 2,000 apps available on the app store right now, and that is approximately 1,000 more than were available at the beginning of November. Are you saying that there aren't any useful apps among those? If so, would you be so kind as to provide your detailed analysis of those apps to those of us who aren't as "in the know" as you?

They released the app store on mobile how many years ago now, and saw an enormous improvement in customer engagement. Continue selling a low impact product, or increase customer interaction and reasons for sales.

wow 2000 apps. Now, tell me the availability of said apps outside the US store.

 

[santaliqueur]

Apple used to be embarrassed when they did this kind of stuff. Now it's commonplace. Too bad.

 

[freediverx]

Oh Lordy, Lordy, I'm praying hard on my knees that this is the case, It would literally be madness not to when that API is finally opened up.

Not saying this because I have issues with home sharing or Plex as is, but when that API is open I want all data in all apps to be indexable at the developers discretion (with appropriate user facing privacy settings where applicable), not just streamable video apps.

I'm certain that Plex developers would love to add universal search, but it's going to boil down to how Apple have architected their API and what it will take to make it work with content stored locally.

 

[rdlink]

They released the app store on mobile how many years ago now, and saw an enormous improvement in customer engagement. Continue selling a low impact product, or increase customer interaction and reasons for sales.

wow 2000 apps. Now, tell me the availability of said apps outside the US store.

I have no way of knowing, or caring what the availability of said apps are outside of the US store. I don't operate outside of the US store. Nor do I propose to arbitrate what apps might be useful to others, inside or outside of the US store. But I do know that there are new apps available that others are finding useful. Whether it be in the US or other markets.

 

[Gorms]

With multitasking on the phone, i don't see how difficult is to switch back and forward, 1 device can do it all, with same speed and same easy of use

This is true but assumes I constantly have my device to hand open. There needs to be a way of directly opening a remote from the lock screen, similar to notification centre otherwise the lag of getting to the remote app is greater than the lag of me getting off my arse and wandering to the tv or to find the remote I have.

Also an api for other remotes to hook into so controls for network connected AV entertainment can be selectively displayed and controlled from this quick access interface

 

[rdlink]

I'm certain that Plex developers would love to add universal search, but it's going to boil down to how Apple have architected their API and what it will take to make it work with content stored locally.

Let's keep in mind that Plex is a "streaming app" from the standpoint of the Apple TV, since the app is accessing data that is on a Plex server. That server is cloud based, as evidenced by the fact that I can access Plex content on my server from the ATV at my girlfriend's house.

Additionally, I think that people may want to keep a couple of things in mind. Apple doesn't have any valid reason to make accessing your video content on your local machines difficult or kludgy. I'm sure they'd love to be able to say, "Hey, you can watch your home movies on your Apple TV." I would not be surprised at all if they are working on that functionality as we speak. Further, I also wouldn't be surprised if there was a provision in Apple's contracts with the movie studios that addresses the ability to make local videos easily available in the ATV interface. The studios know what's going on out there, and they want to do everything they can to slow the tide.

 

[jayb3]

I got all excited before I read the title carefully...I thought they were going to release a new hardware remote. Jeez I hate the current remote...just terrible.

 

[freediverx]

Let's keep in mind that Plex is a "streaming app" from the standpoint of the Apple TV, since the app is accessing data that is on a Plex server. That server is cloud based, as evidenced by the fact that I can access Plex content on my server from the ATV at my girlfriend's house.

Additionally, I think that people may want to keep a couple of things in mind. Apple doesn't have any valid reason to make accessing your video content on your local machines difficult or kludgy. I'm sure they'd love to be able to say, "Hey, you can watch your home movies on your Apple TV." I would not be surprised at all if they are working on that functionality as we speak. Further, I also wouldn't be surprised if there was a provision in Apple's contracts with the movie studios that addresses the ability to make local videos easily available in the ATV interface. The studios know what's going on out there, and they want to do everything they can to slow the tide.

When I say "cloud based" I'm referring to some sort of centralized service accessed by many users. Plex Server is not that. It is a locally hosted server located in each user's home. Siri is not currently designed to search locally hosted content indexes. When you ask Siri to find James Bond movies it goes to a cloud server hosted by Apple containing an index of all available content with references to all available metadata. How is that going to work with potentially millions of users' individual servers?

 

[shiseiryu1]

All the rumors said that this thing was delayed over and over again so apple can get it right, but so many things about it feel rushed. No Siri Apple Music at launch, no remote app compatibility at launch. No tv streaming service.

This is the 4th gen Apple TV, but it doesn't even feel like a first gen Apple product. It feels like something I bought on Kickstarter.

Pretty inexcusable from the largest company in the world.

I like the AppleTV but in many ways I agree. One big missed opportunity is the fact you can't use "Siri dictation" for searching. Why do we still have to type using the dumb on-screen keyboard when the remote has a mic in it?!

 

[snebes]

All the rumors said that this thing was delayed over and over again so apple can get it right, but so many things about it feel rushed. No Siri Apple Music at launch, no remote app compatibility at launch. No tv streaming service.

This is the 4th gen Apple TV, but it doesn't even feel like a first gen Apple product. It feels like something I bought on Kickstarter.

Pretty inexcusable from the largest company in the world.

But the pretty screen savers were ready!! "Let's launch!!!"

 

[8692574]

The iPhone goes to sleep so if you're going to be using it as your primary remote, you have to constantly wake it up. You can't use it without looking at it.

Regardless, from other posts I now understand that folks like you are using the iPhone itself as your interface, not as a remote, because you only want to stream your local content to the tv. If that's the case, though, it seems to me the new Apple TV was a waste of money for you since you;re not using any of its features.

Thank you for your concern about my money, i disagree with you because it does what i paid it for.

So using the remote app is making my AppleTv a waste of money? WOW glad Apple Thinks different from you and made the app compatible (I am sure THEY know how some of us are using it)

 

[freediverx]

Thank you for your concern about my money, i disagree with you because it does what i paid it for.

So using the remote app is making my AppleTv a waste of money? WOW glad Apple Thinks different from you and made the app compatible (I am sure THEY know how some of us are using it)

You need to work on your reading comprehension bud. The relevant quote was:

"because you only want to stream your local content to the tv."

 

[betabeta]

Why not just make an Apple TV app as a remote/viewer? The iPad could be the most amazing Apple TV remote ever, here I sit with this beautiful screen right in my lap and I have to swipe and move looking up at my TV?

And I often use the iPad to watch content, I would love to have an Apple TV app that mirrors what you see on the TV but even just for searching content would be great.

The iPad could be the most amazing TV remote!

 

[patohi]

Well the Apple TV IS being touted as a gaming device and requires all games to work with the remote.
Playing any game with the remote is an awful experience.
Even crossy road isn't very good using the remote.
This has held back developers from making games for the Apple TV for requiring them to use such an awful controller substitute.
The sooner the remote requirements are dropped the quality of games and playing experience will dramatically improve.

 

[groovyf]

Seems Apple have dropped an update for the Remote app this evening.
It's just appeared in my list of apps to update.
Info states: "Remote app adds support for the new Apple TV (4th generation)..."

 

[rdlink]

When I say "cloud based" I'm referring to some sort of centralized service accessed by many users. Plex Server is not that. It is a locally hosted server located in each user's home. Siri is not currently designed to search locally hosted content indexes. When you ask Siri to find James Bond movies it goes to a cloud server hosted by Apple containing an index of all available content with references to all available metadata. How is that going to work with potentially millions of users' individual servers?

Pick up your phone and ask Siri to show you a contact or a calendar entry. They're local.

But beyond that, Apple has stated that they will be opening the API for Siri search to developers. It would be crazy for them to do this and not allow the developer to have the ability to search for the content of their apps. I truly believe there is a lot of hand wringing over nothing. I'll be the first to admit if I end up being wrong.

 

[Tech198]

so, Cue thinks everyone would rather buy an AppleTV (4th gen) rather than a better xBox ? umm. ok

U can download 20Gig and "store" them in their entity.... for later use too..

Good move by Apple, but their forced into this because their is no permanent local storage.

I'm sure everyone with a data cap on their ISP would just like to be downloading levels constantly.. piece by piece, but it all adds up anyway.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Sounds like your ready for a remote cover for the next one. A remote like this should come with a silicon cover that protects it from falls but still give the option of taking it off if you want. I know they are available 3rd party but they should be included.

You know... The wife and I received a set of Waterford Crystal wine glasses for a wedding gift. We started with 4, and now we're down to 1 (yeah, I know, "Cool story, bro").

So the question is... Should I go back to the gifter and say, "How come you didn't include any silicon cases for these glasses." Or should I just learn to be more careful with my stuff? ;-)

 

[Glassed Silver]

Make sure that you do that when you release your competing hardware. After all, how dare Apple not have everything ready to give you for free?

I believe you haven't understood how "free" software works.

I guess you also believe OS X is funded through Apple's "goodwill fund", right?

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[iAshley]

I agree with you on everything but the streaming service. If Apple waited to update TV until they could do a streaming service we'd probably never get an updated puck. its entirely possible Apple has said 'screw it' to a skinny cable package and will instead focus on content provider apps and robust universal search.

I'd love them to buy (or make their own) Netflix with 3 tiers.
Tier 1, Old (a couple years old) shows and movies.
Tier 2, All the latest shows and movies.
Tier 3, Sports.

Each tier paid monthly with royalties going to the production companies based on how many watches a show/movie gets, similar to Spotify.

It's not just about cutting out the channels you don't watch, also cut out the programs you don't watch and choose from every movie and tv show/program, no scheduling. All on demand.

 

[npmacuser5]

Most pleased, the new Apple TV works with my Logitech Hub as is, works with Apple Remote as advertised, and the new remote is very functional. Now if Amazon provides an App perfect. Glad I waited a bit for the dust to settle before ordering.

 

[dukemeiser]

First half of 2016.

Translation: The new app will be released June 30, 2016

 

[Keirasplace]

Now Apple needs to improve Siri by a huge margin, because compared to Google Now it is not as good. Actually Siri got dumber since launch.

Right... Considering Google now recognizes almost 0% of what I say... That doesn't sound right, same with Cortana also (Cortana is worse at recognition). Fails for my mother and father too.

Correct recognition for Siri, around 80-90%.

Actually being able to understand the request is where Google fails BAD.