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Function101 Offering Alternative Apple TV Remote Control for $30
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It was quite clear to me. Some don’t get how “compromise” sometimes works in marriage.
This is what i been doing. Using the app on the phone, or ipad. It just seems really easy to do. By pulling down the control center. And bringing up the remote app from there.
Yea, this would be a deal breaker. The bluetooth aspect is what makes any of the hundreds of generic programmable IR remotes non-starters for me.
Exactly why the iPhone is a failure among real smartphone users and why we stick to our Blackberries—with physical keyboards!!!
I wish Griffin hadn’t discontinued the SurvivorPlay case for the Siri Remote. It fits better and feels better than any of the silicone cases form Amazon. Heck, if someone started manufacturing exact clones, I’d buy a couple more.
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This. I like that I can wander around the corner into the kitchen for a few minutes, holding the remote, and tweak the volume as needed. Couldn’t do that with IR.
Good tip. Works with my setup. 🙂FYI, if your ATV/TV/AVR are all hooked up and working with ARC (i.e., where the remote can control the volume "through" the Apple TV), then, if you're using the iPhone Remote app, the phone volume controls will actually control the ATV volume
Oops, this was already covered:
Really? I would be far more confident dropping the Siri Remote that some cheap plastic thing.
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What I really don’t get is why these remotes designed for streaming have channel up/down buttons. What do those even do?
By the way, anybody know if the old aluminium Apple TV remote works with current Apple TV’s? I love that remote. So simple, does just what you need when you need it. If it does work, how do you do things like swipe down the top menu thingy to change audio settings, for example?
would prefer wireless backlit keyboard with trackpad to control atv box and all other smart tv's
made by logitech of course
made by logitech of course
This remote uses IR so Apple isn’t going to block it (it couldn’t even know what device is sending the code). Blocking IR entirely would break all kinds of stuff. Apple clearly has no interest in that.
Do you also have to look at your keyboard when you type on it?
I do wish it was bigger, but the touch pad is solid. I really hope whatever they do they keep it. Navigating using other remotes now feels cumbersome and slow.
Yeah, I couldn't find any clarification on the IR vs Bluetooth and assumed that means IR at that price. A shame. Even without Bluetooth, it'll make my girlfriend happy - the pack-in remote is horrid.
I love the one on the 16" MBP (my personal Mac) because of the separate Escape key. On my work Mac, where I need that key most, the touch bar version is infuriating.
The Apple TV remote is among Apple's worst designs ever. If Apple were intentionally trying to design a remote that people would accidentally use upside down, or would lose between couch cushions, or would be unable to mute or execute other obvious functionality, the remote's design wouldn't look much different than it does now. Worse, it failed to take advantage of one of Apple's best design inventions -- the iPod's circular clickwheel trackpad, which permitted endless scrolling in either direction without need to reset the thumb. Wouldn't that be great with the Apple TV?
Apple was partly right on this: most remotes have way too many buttons, and the trackpad does allow functionality that most remotes lack (scrubbing and fast swiping, putting aside the many necessary thumb resets required by its small, square design). But it can and should do much better. While the third-party remote shown here looks like a fairly inelegant stop-gap, Apple should take better advantage of some its prior amazing designs and get rid of this blemish on its design reputation.
Apple was partly right on this: most remotes have way too many buttons, and the trackpad does allow functionality that most remotes lack (scrubbing and fast swiping, putting aside the many necessary thumb resets required by its small, square design). But it can and should do much better. While the third-party remote shown here looks like a fairly inelegant stop-gap, Apple should take better advantage of some its prior amazing designs and get rid of this blemish on its design reputation.
I've been using the Inteset programmable remote. I already had it when I bought my TV 4K. it works pretty well, except that you cannot program the Display button. I don't see a Display button on this new replacement remote either. So any functions requiring the Display button cannot be performed. Fortunately the Display button isn’t used that often, but still, leave to Apple to make life more difficult. If Apple was smart, they would offer a truly usable remote alternative, call it an upgrade, and sell it separately. Instead they prefer to follow the teachings of their dead founder and say, "You get what we give you, learn to like it."
Exactly! It's why I got rid of my computer keyboard and only use a touchpad. Also, I always stare at my Apple TV remote!
long press on the home button takes me to home on mine. apple tv 4k. also works on my non 4k apple tv. im on the latest OS. but it never didn't work for me..
I finally upgraded my two Apple TV 3's this year and find the new remotes just about unusable, what a terrible design. Fortunately, the original aluminum remotes from my old Apple TV 3's work fine so that's what I've been using. Just little awkward for certain things, but they work. 
The siri remote is of course terrible as shipped, but it can be improved to pretty OK with a case, such as:
MoKo Protective Case Fit Apple TV 4K/4th Gen Remote, Flexible Lightweight Non-Slip-Grip & Secure Silicone Cover Compatible with Apple TV 4K Siri Remote Controller - Blue
MoKo silicone shock resistant cover for new Apple TV 4th/ 4K generation Siri Remote controller☕ exclusive design for Apple TV 4K/ 4th Gen Siri Remote controller. ☕ The slim and Waffle design, provides anti-slip and cost grip feelings. ☕ made of premium silicone, durable, healthy, washable and sof...
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It's not without its strengths, but it would have been possible to capture those strengths without the glaring weaknesses that it also has.
Actually press and hold the Digital Crown to summon Siri. This can be turned on in the settings.