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Function101 Offering Alternative Apple TV Remote Control for $30

Appleman3546 said:
Honestly, I prefer the Apple TV remove over a traditional remote. Just my preference though, kind of surprised by the desire for a traditional remote still.
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There's lots of space between the Apple TV and a traditional remote. A truly great design could capture the best of both worlds.
 
Desperately trying to figure out how this is anything other than your standard IR remote? From what I can tell the only difference is that they have branded it an "AppleTV" remote. It's not bluetooth (at least they don't say it is, in fact they say almost nothing about what it can do on the product page). I have the "one for all" remote from Best Buy and it looks almost identical. I'm not drinking the kool-aid.
 
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reivinz said:
Actually press and hold the Digital Crown to summon Siri. This can be turned on in the settings.
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Maybe you're not aware of what the Siri button, both on the ATV remote and in the Remote app, does. Siri can be used to play content on the ATV. Siri on the Watch...doesn't work like that. Will turn on the ATV, but not play content.
 
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For those using the Apple TV remote - I would strongly recommend buying a silicone sleeve for the remote. Solves two problems - provides a better grip, and removes the confusion on which way is up.

BTW, one advantage of Apple TV remote over harmony remote (and why is still keep the Apple TV remote around - when you are using Bluetooth headphones with Apple TV (like AirPods or Powerbeats Pro or AirPods Pro), the volume control automatically switches to controlling volume on headphones. And when headphones are not in use, the remote changes the volume on my receiver. I know I can probably set up harmony remote to control headphone volume via Apple TV, but it’s not automatic.
 
I absolutely hate the Apple TV remote. Worst product Apple has ever made. Even if this remote is going to miss some features, it’s gonna be a joy to use compared to the original remote.
 
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mozumder said:
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!
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Don’t give Apple any ideas! They have enough bad ideas as is. Cannot understand this obsession with removing buttons and ports. Typing on glass? Moronic.
 
The Siri remote is far from perfect, but am I the only one who actually likes the idea? You’d think Apple could have done some minor tweaks and improvements the last five years...
 
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If it had Siri, it would be a game changer. But without one, it is just a regular universal remote.
 
It’s a crazy world when I recommend a case for a remote control lol - I’m always caseless with iPhone - but after putting my remote in one of these, my issues with it reduced considerably. It’s better in not-black as then you can distinguish between top and bottom easier;

www.amazon.co.uk

TiMOVO Protective Case for Apple TV 4K/4th Gen Remote, Anti Slip & Shock Proof Skin, Lightweight Soft Silicone Cover for Apple TV 4K Siri Remote Controller - Black

&#9835 Perfect Fit for Apple TV 4K / 4th Gen Siri Remote controller. &#9835 Environmental material, non-toxic, not irritable. &#9835 Made from durable and soft silicone. &#9835 Anti-slip, anti-dust, shock proof. &#9835 Adds security and comfortability. &#9835 Kids friendly and light wei...
www.amazon.co.uk
 
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The Siri remote is an absolute nightmare if you watch sports on YouTube tv and want to jump back and forth. Part YouTube’s fault and part apples fault. That click on the edge remote gesture is horrifying.

scrubbing only is beneficial in the rarest of circumstances and navigating a 4:30 sporting event is not one of them. A twenty year old Tivo was vastly superior UI to what we have today (Partially due to stream buffers being so small as well)
 
ericwn said:
Doesn’t it play back 4K already?
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Lower priced Apple TV with A12 should replace Apple TV HD, which currently retails at $149. Apple TV HD is vastly overpriced and out of place in 2020 when even the lowest-end TVs are 4K.
 
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Im honestly surprised nobody (that i know of) created a full size remote case for the ATV remote, that it just snaps into and makes it full size.
 
Braderunner said:
The Apple Watch doesn't have a Siri button, either. Wish it did.
I think that the Remote app on the iPhone and iPad are as frustrating as the actual remote.
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Obviously, you only speak one language. Siri is useless for people who speak one or more languages, because you can't tell it to play anything that does not have a system-language title. This is why the Salt remote in multi-lingual Switzerland has no provision for Siri.
 
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Kornbeef24 said:
Useless without a CC button. It'd spend good money on a CC button, wife loves them and I can't stand them. Constantly getting toggled.
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You can set up an accessibility shortcut for this — once you configure it you hit the “menu” button three times and a list of accessibility shortcuts comes up, and CC can be one of them.

And also you can always swipe down on the touch pad on the ATV remote and get caption that way.
 
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samwise_the_why2394 said:
Desperately trying to figure out how this is anything other than your standard IR remote? From what I can tell the only difference is that they have branded it an "AppleTV" remote. It's not bluetooth (at least they don't say it is, in fact they say almost nothing about what it can do on the product page). I have the "one for all" remote from Best Buy and it looks almost identical. I'm not drinking the kool-aid.
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How is the One for All remote? It seems like a good option.
 
neoelectronaut said:
$30 remote versus $200+ remote. C'mon man, these are different customers.
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More like $50 -- which makes it a pretty solid alternative that can learn a lot of different devices:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/logitech-harmony-665-10-device-universal-remote-black/5852832.p
EugW said:
Scrubbing is a problem with a button remote, whether it is a Logitech remote or likely the above Button Remote too. With the current software versions, fast forward and review do work but the speed maxes out at a relatively slow or at best moderate speed on button remotes. In order to get full speed scrubbing, you need to swipe on the Apple touch remote or an iPhone/iPad.

I know this because I prefer to use my Logitech Harmony remote over Apple's disaster of a remote. This mostly works, except if you want to get maximum scrubbing speed. BTW, it doesn't work properly with Apple's old button remote either.
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Same here. I end up using the Harmony to power on and off my AV receiver, projector and ATV but control playback with the ATV remote because scrubbing is so horrible without that trackpad surface. Kind of reminds me of how a lot of stuff on MacOS works less well without a trackpad or Apple mouse.
 
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SkyRom said:
I've noticed this to be a generational issue. My parents struggle with the touch/gesture functions that are incredibly intuitive to me. I also keep IR codes for some common soundbars/TVs in my settings in case I ever need to move the device, whereas some people might just get mad their "volume isn't working". In my experience, the voice capability in Apple TV isn't perfect, but its worlds better than Roku and most other competitors in usability. But the best upgrade to the Apple TV remote is still a $5 silicon cover to add some grip and keep people from holding it upside down in the dark.
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No matter what generation you belong to, if you speak more than one language, Siri is useless on the Apple Remote.
 
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