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Apple TV 4 Remote

M

mic j

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Mar 15, 2012
2,669
156
Please, please, please Apple, redesign the remote!!

I don't care how I lay it down, whenever I pick it up, it's pointing the wrong way. I know it's RF but orientation is still important for scrubbing, play/pause, etc. How about making it all silver, like the back, but keep the trackpad and buttons being black? Simple enough, right?
 
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Get in the habit of laying it down silver side up, once you do it's a no brainer picking it up correctly.
 
Just always search for the Siri button. It's the only concave button. If the button is on the left then you know the remote is in the correct position. If it's on the right you know it's upside down.
 
Sorry, I'm not a moron. I know I could train myself to do something consistently or look for a certain feature to tell me it's orientation (why not look for the USB port?). The point is, none of my other remotes (TV, AVR, Logitech, etc) give me this problem. It's obvious by their shape or surface features which end is which. My point was, it's a poor design (very unlike Apple) and could (should) be easily remedied. They could even move the button more toward one end to emphasize the touch pad. Right now, both areas are nearly identical in size.
 
mic j said:
Sorry, I'm not a moron. I know I could train myself to do something consistently or look for a certain feature to tell me it's orientation (why not look for the USB port?). The point is, none of my other remotes (TV, AVR, Logitech, etc) give me this problem. It's obvious by their shape or surface features which end is which. My point was, it's a poor design (very unlike Apple) and could (should) be easily remedied. They could even move the button more toward one end to emphasize the touch pad. Right now, both areas are nearly identical in size.
Click to expand...

You are wrong, it's an awesome design. Do you have problems when you pick up your iPhone too??
 
mic j said:
Sorry, I'm not a moron. I know I could train myself to do something consistently or look for a certain feature to tell me it's orientation (why not look for the USB port?). The point is, none of my other remotes (TV, AVR, Logitech, etc) give me this problem. It's obvious by their shape or surface features which end is which. My point was, it's a poor design (very unlike Apple) and could (should) be easily remedied. They could even move the button more toward one end to emphasize the touch pad. Right now, both areas are nearly identical in size.
Click to expand...

Who said you were a moron? We were just offering you helpful suggestions for your problem.

Who doesn't use any remote by feel. Every remote I've ever had took getting used to in the beginning. But once that happens muscle memory takes over. The Siri remote is no different. It's even easier since there are only 6 buttons.

But feel free to continue to be contrary. I'll be sure to not offer you helpful suggestions in the future.
 
My solution.

I don't particularly like the look of the lanyard but its surprisingly useful. You know, when its just out reach but you can pick it up with your big toe....I'm lazy af....

remote.jpg
 
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You're all right...perfect design. I stand corrected.
 
I don't particularly agree with your opinion about the design, but it's OK, I suppose.
Why not use a small piece of contrasting tape, maybe even laid out in an arrow design?
you could run a length of color down the side, or across the top.
If you don't see the tape on the top, then it must be on the bottom.
It's not too challenging to come up with a way to make it easier to pickup and use.
 
IMO, the Siri Remote is a very poor design. Apple should either redesign the case and layout, or at the very least and as a stopgap they should provide a silicone case to make it easier to hold and orient. In fact, I'm amazed that the Apple Stores don't carry any third-party cases for the remote (they definitely should, but I guess no one at Apple wants to admit that it needs one).
 
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cynics said:
My solution.

I don't particularly like the look of the lanyard but its surprisingly useful. You know, when its just out reach but you can pick it up with your big toe....I'm lazy af....

View attachment 665085
Click to expand...
I purchased the Griffin Survivor Play. The only issue is after 10 months of use the silicone causes problems with the touch surface/click.
 
mic j said:
You're all right...perfect design. I stand corrected.
Click to expand...

We are offering solutions to your problem.

If you aren't interested in how we deal with a problem we all are acknowledging and just want to complain then write an email to Apple. How are we all saying it's a perfect design?

There are also ATV remote sucks threads, I made a huge list of things there including your issue.
 
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1/2 the time I just use my iPhone but do see people pointing it backwards a lot at home so I put a stick on label on the unit.

It needs some work and granny says it is too small and she will not use Siri

I really need to looking into the Apple watch as a remote
 
Cordorb said:
1/2 the time I just use my iPhone but do see people pointing it backwards a lot at home so I put a stick on label on the unit.

It needs some work and granny says it is too small and she will not use Siri

I really need to looking into the Apple watch as a remote
Click to expand...

It is small. It's too thin for my liking too. I put mine in Griffin Survivor case. It bulks it up nicely.
 
I think it's shape could use a little tweak. There is such a thing as to small or to discrete.
 
jca24 said:
You are wrong, it's an awesome design. Do you have problems when you pick up your iPhone too??
Click to expand...

The iPhone is easier to orient because of the home button. It also isn't symmetrical due to its side buttons, and it doesn't have an IR port at the top, which looks just like the bottom lighting port in the dark.

I find that using an iPhone actually makes using the remote harder to use, because the it teaches you "slick glassy surface=interactive area," but on the remote, the glassy part doesn't do anything.
 
D.T. said:
I picked up a case too, feels great, protects it, and I chose a bright orange color so it's easy to find :D
Click to expand...

I thought about that but wasn't sure if it would show dirt and grime after a while. Black can be a nuisance to find sometimes.
 
cynics said:
I thought about that but wasn't sure if it would show dirt and grime after a while. Black can be a nuisance to find sometimes.
Click to expand...

I figured it can be easily washed, and it was only like $8, so it we change our minds in a few months, it wasn't a major expense.
 
IMG_5995.JPG IMG_5998.JPG I have a case on mine, makes it much easier to handle. Agree with above poster about the lanyard, I didn't like at first but I kept it on after i used it a few times when remote was out of reach. This case was 12.00 on amazon.
 
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Griffin Survivor case and Apple Remote Loop makes the remote a dream to use. I still have issues with accidentally clicking the Siri button when I meant to press the back button, but I have never picked it up facing the wrong way.
 
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