New Siri Remote for Apple TV Seemingly Referenced in iOS 16 Beta

[MacRumors]

iOS 16 includes code-level references to what appears to be a new and unreleased version of the Siri Remote for the Apple TV.

The first two betas of iOS 16 include strings for "SiriRemote4" and "WirelessRemoteFirmware.4" that do not correspond with any existing Siri Remote, according to Aaronp613, a contributor at AppleDB, an online database of Apple software and devices.

Aaron said the original Siri Remote is identified as "SiriRemote," while a revised version of that remote with a white circle around the "Menu" button is "SiriRemote2," and the silver Siri Remote released last year is "SiriRemote3." This leads to the possibility that "SiriRemote4" is an upcoming remote for the Apple TV.

No additional details about "SiriRemote4" are mentioned in the code, so nothing is known about the remote's potential design or features at this time. The code findings also do not guarantee that Apple will move forward with releasing a new remote.

Last month, well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said a new Apple TV would launch in the second half of 2022 with an improved cost structure, suggesting that it could have a lower price than the existing Apple TV 4K, which starts at $179 in the United States. Kuo did not provide any additional details, so it is unclear if the new Siri Remote could be for a new lower-cost Apple TV later this year, but it is certainly a possibility.

The latest Apple TV model was released in April 2021 with a new Siri Remote that features a more practical design than the previous remote. A new tvOS 16 update for the Apple TV is currently in beta and expected to be released around September.

Article Link: New Siri Remote for Apple TV Seemingly Referenced in iOS 16 Beta

 

[jav6454]

Another remote? How much is a remote worth in materials that it affects an entire product? I mean, I know it can, but that much?

 

[Ciaoiphone4]

I hope in the come back of accelerometer and gyroscope!

 

[MTD's Mac]

Yeah this makes sense. A lower cost remote would be a necessity for a dongle or low priced TV. The current Siri remote goes for $59. Competitive dongles cost $100 or less.

This also means that about a third of the price of an Apple TV 4K is the remote itself…

 

[NT1440]

Another remote? How much is a remote worth in materials that it affects an entire product? I mean, I know it can, but that much?

I’m hoping it’s the same as the last one but just with FindMy capability. I’ve been very happy with the latest one.

 

[fwmireault]

Looks like an Apple TV HD replacement, but why an other remote? Only thing that would make sense is an apple branded gaming controller, but seeing the Kuo report, I don’t think it will be aimed at gaming that much

 

[MacDevil7334]

This will probably be the version with an AirTag built in that they should have released a year ago…

 

[zorinlynx]

They just redesigned it, why would the be coming out with a new one this soon?

 

[0194839]

I hope they redesign this alleged new remote. The edges are too sharp and the buttons don’t feel premium enough to me. I always use the digital remote on my iPhone. Works great!

 

[dantracht]

I need another Apple TV for the new media room I created at home. Hope this means a new model is on the way. Have held off for just this reason.

 

[Pirate!]

Maybe a game controller form of the remote?

 

[gomichaelgo]

I realize the ATV is relatively cheap/affordable... However my wish would be to have the remote be charged wirelessly and have Find My enabled, or at least have it be something you can "ping" and make noise.

 

[KENESS]

They just redesigned it, why would the be coming out with a new one this soon?

Well it looks like the only difference between SiriRemote and SiriRemote2 was a cosmetic update. (They said the white ring around the MENU button.)

So this new SiriRemote4 isn't guaranteed to be a significant change either, if it ever even comes to be. (I suspect it will, but again, who knows if it is a significant change or just something cosmetic.)

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Can we have a new Siri Remote with Air tags embedded in them. I'm tired of losing mine around the house.

 

[bergmef]

I hope the siri button on the side goes away. It gets hit all the time by accident and there is no clean way to get back to what you were watching, you have to go back to the 'home' screen then go back to the app. Getting rid of it on the phone would be great for me too

 

[PsykX]

Another remote? How much is a remote worth in materials that it affects an entire product? I mean, I know it can, but that much?

Well the Apple TV itself, design-wise and hardware-wise has not improved in years, and tvOS neither.
The latest generation Apple TV actually feels slower than the Apple TV 4K, as far as my experience goes with both.

The only way Apple can sell more of these at this point is by changing the remote every now and then.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Quieter button clicks please!

 

[jav6454]

Well the Apple TV itself, design-wise and hardware-wise has not improved in years, and tvOS neither.
The only way Apple can sell more of these at this point is by changing the remote every now and then.

Hopefully they add that gyro again.

 

[GregoriusM]

I hope the siri button on the side goes away. It gets hit all the time by accident and there is no clean way to get back to what you were watching, you have to go back to the 'home' screen then go back to the app. Getting rid of it on the phone would be great for me too

Just hit the “Back button”, top left, and that takes you out of Siri. Personally, I find the Siri button is a pain where it is and find it hard to actually press without holding the remote in a weird way.

 

[George Dawes]

Hopefully it’s got a built in AirTag , backlighting would be nice and for gods sake put the mute and pause buttons back where they belong

Water proofing would be handy … don’t ask 😂

 

[mystery hill]

USB-C and integrated AirTag?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Hopefully built-in AirTag functionality 🙄

 

[Mcsnee]

The previous remote required a lot of user interaction to lose it between cushions or under the couch. The new one will improve that user experience by coming out of the box already lost.

 

[Onelifenofear]

Ultimate apple remote.
Backlit Buttons
Buttons in a more sensible configuration
Easy feel buttons to tell what they are
Motion control like the LG remote
Find My built in
USB-C / Wireless charging
touch wheel that worked in all apps

 

[Rychiar]

Wireless charging would be nice. My living room coasters are qi pads and I’m always dropping the remote there anyways