Big, dumb, Apple TV question...

[rexone]

Interacting with ATV is a pain. Using the remote to scroll around etc.
Rather than Apple developing an actual ATV TV why don't they just create an iOS app for iPad & iPhone that mirrors what's on the TV screen and allow control from your iDevice with pop-up keyboard etc?
And yes, I'm aware of the Apple Remote app.

 

[flux73]

Just yesterday, it was reported that based on a patent filing Apple is indeed working on a Remote app that does just this, or at least something similar:

http://www.cnet.com/news/apple-patent-application-reinvents-remote-control-for-the-smartphone-age/

 

[rexone]

Just yesterday, it was reported that ...

Well there you go, thanks flux73.
Just seems to me to be infinitely more logical to be able to use a tiny ATV device & an app plugged into any TV to make it an 'Apple TV' rather than going the fixed hardware option of a big screen ATV.
Sort of fluid versus static solutions if you get what I mean.

 

[sodapop1]

I'm looking forward to an enhanced iDevice UI from Apple but do you realize that the Apple Remote app does have a pop-up keyboard feature?

 

[rexone]

...but do you realize that the Apple Remote app does have a pop-up keyboard feature?

Thanks sodapop1, yes, do realise that but it's still a very clunky interface.
It would be so much more usable if it was just a touch-screen mirror of the ATV interface.

 

[sodapop1]

Thanks sodapop1, yes, do realise that but it's still a very clunky interface.
It would be so much more usable if it was just a touch-screen mirror of the ATV interface.

Agreed, let's hope that Apple implements such an interface soon.

 

[mtneer]

Just yesterday, it was reported that based on a patent filing Apple is indeed working on a Remote app that does just this, or at least something similar:

http://www.cnet.com/news/apple-patent-application-reinvents-remote-control-for-the-smartphone-age/

No sh**!! Thanks for the link.. That is the most obvious thing that Apple could do amongst many other opportunities just staring Apple in the face with the Apple TV - if only they would choose to open their eyes..