I don't think any remote works well for text entry. I could foresee some type of voice input to solve that issue. Other than that, I don't want a remote with 100s of buttons. The current type of remote is fine. It just needs to be refined.
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Apple TV Concept Envisions iPod Touch-Style Remote
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I don't think any remote works well for text entry. I could foresee some type of voice input to solve that issue. Other than that, I don't want a remote with 100s of buttons. The current type of remote is fine. It just needs to be refined.
I think the larger iPhone (iPhone 6) will ship with the Remote app as a built-in app. The larger screen size is used to better layout the touch interface for the remote app. Apple didn't want to go to a larger size to be in the same market as Samsung. They are doing it for the Apple TV.
I don't mind the remote that comes with the AppleTV. I like it...and even after the app update where i should see the purchased movies and tv shows in the app, I cannot.
but no sense in making a high-end remote...that's what the Remote App is for.
You must be quite an athlete if you need to conserve the energy necessary to move en eyeball to look at your remote..
And you must have ADD if you like to have a big light-up screen in your face while you're trying to watch a movie in a darkened room. And a screen you HAVE to look at because you can't feel the button you're looking for.
No, it isn't required for me to suggest a better way in order to notice that this isn't one. This "concept" is simply a skinny iPod, and Apple TVs with the new iPhone color schemes. Low marks for usefulness. Even lower marks for imagination.
Everyone who really believes that Apple thinks this way raise your hands. I thought so.
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The problem is the remotes from the different manufacturers all use different coding schemes, and in my experience the so-called "universal" remotes don't work very well (some, not at all). If anyone could figure out a way of reducing the number of remotes we need for the simple act of watching TV would have something. But simply adding a new remote? No matter how pretty or whizzy it might be, I think I speak for most viewers when I say "no thanks."
A touchscreen app with a keyboard that appears when you activate search or need to log in to make a purchase works great.
When you have a software-based app, only the buttons you need will appear, unlike a physical remote that always has a ton of unused buttons which make it necessary to make them all so small.
The current ATV remote only works now because the actions on the ATV are so simple. Once they add apps, it won't be enough anymore.
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I think a remote with buttons I can SEE in a dark room would be a nice change. The screen can go dark when it's not in use so there's no problem there. Why are you pressing buttons on a remote WHILE you are watching a movie anyway?
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Instead of Apple offering yet another remote control, or getting into the money-losing TV set selling business (I know, the phone business had a lot of losers and Apple's done fine there as well, but...), how about Apple keep the ATV a separate box, controlled in almost all cases by your iPhone (still sell the $1-to-throw-in remote control so it is accessible without the phone/ipod/ipad, but for all intents and purposes the iPhone is the de facto remote).
But, to integrate well with the rest of the stereo system ecosystem, allow the ATV to control the rest of the home stereo as well - turn on the TV, adjust the inputs and volumes on the receiver, etc. One way to do this would be to send out those little IR repeaters to place in front of things; another would be to tie into various wired control systems (doesn't seem to be any viable standard there yet, but perhaps Apple could champion one).
In any case, the problem with the home stereo is not too many devices, but too many remotes and too many disparate interfaces. That's something that is pretty close to Apple's wheelhouse, if not almost dead center. ATV should be solving the user-facing interactions mess.
But, to integrate well with the rest of the stereo system ecosystem, allow the ATV to control the rest of the home stereo as well - turn on the TV, adjust the inputs and volumes on the receiver, etc. One way to do this would be to send out those little IR repeaters to place in front of things; another would be to tie into various wired control systems (doesn't seem to be any viable standard there yet, but perhaps Apple could champion one).
In any case, the problem with the home stereo is not too many devices, but too many remotes and too many disparate interfaces. That's something that is pretty close to Apple's wheelhouse, if not almost dead center. ATV should be solving the user-facing interactions mess.
I'll take one of those remotes (with a touchscreen) to replace my boring silver one with black buttons 
Guys You Are Missing the Point!
Hmmm. It seems to me that these guys have missed the point somewhat. The whole idea is that your iPhone/iPad/iPod can act as a remote control without the need to buy any additional devices. Not to have further redundant remotes and controllers etc etc around the place.
Hmmm. It seems to me that these guys have missed the point somewhat. The whole idea is that your iPhone/iPad/iPod can act as a remote control without the need to buy any additional devices. Not to have further redundant remotes and controllers etc etc around the place.
Exactly, this was just a pointless, redundant exercise in Photoshop. I have a better remote, it's call 'iPhone 5' it's the device I already have and an app that was free.
Price is largely irrelevant for most of us loyal Apple fans. If Apple finds a way to raise the experience bar with incredible technology such as the concept here, we'll pay the price and immediately enjoy our new products.
This is why Apple can drive innovation forward constantly against the rest of the tech industry that acts as resistance to change. Apple knows we consumers will reward outstanding new products with our money every time.
Adding a touchscreen hardly raises the experience bar. In fact, I would say it decreases it. Perhaps it will look prettier on the box. But nothing in this concept improves the Apple TV experience. It is just another remote. Unless Apple provides an alternative input (such as voice), adding more buttons to a remote with no way to use it without looking at it is not going to improve the experience.
That'd be pretty, but useless.
Sexy might be enough for some, though, should something like this come about.
Sexy might be enough for some, though, should something like this come about.