The 2021 Apple TV Siri Remote Almost Had a Finger Rest

[MacRumors]

Apple's 2021 Siri Remote that was released alongside the second-generation Apple TV 4K originally had a different design, according to filings that Apple submitted to the FCC ahead of the device's launch. In the images, there is shallow oval-shaped divot at the rear of the remote, which may have been intended as a finger rest to improve grip.

The finger rest would have been above the Apple logo on the Siri Remote, but Apple eliminated this design element before introducing the accessory. The version that launched has a smooth back with no finger rest cutout at all.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1576011869168766976

There are also some other small design differences, including a different design for the IR sensor at the top of the remote and some slight changes to the icons on the buttons. It is not clear why Apple decided to eliminate the divot at the back of the remote, but removing it must have been a last minute design decision.

The updated Siri Remote is a marked improvement over the original Siri Remote, featuring a larger aluminum body and a touch-enabled clickpad with gesture support instead of a smooth touch surface. There is a dedicated power button that was a welcome change, as well as a Siri button on the side of the device.

Multiple rumors indicated that Apple could add Find My to the Siri Remote, but that also did not happen and there is no sign that it was an intended feature in the FCC filing.

Article Link: The 2021 Apple TV Siri Remote Almost Had a Finger Rest

 

[Amazing Iceman]

That finger rest would have helped so much in avoiding the remote from slipping off our hands like a bar of butter.

 

[Trik]

Sometimes I have to remind myself that not all rumors are of equal worth...

 

[Realityck]

I like the new Apple TV remote without a notch.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple needs to make space for AirTags. It gets tiring losing the remote around the house.

 

[heystu]

No wonder my finger is so tired….

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I like the new Apple TV remote without a notch.

How about new Apple TV with Dynamic Island? :O

 

[kiensoy]

I’m pretty sure it was mostly for knowing if you grabbed it upside down in the dark or without looking. But maybe the new “click wheel” felt like was enough for that.

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple needs to make space for AirTags. It gets tiring losing the remote around the house.

Next version will have Find My support.

Or Apple will just make it thicker and bigger so it'll be harder to misplace/lose. 🤷‍♂️ Shouldn't be too difficult now that Jony Ive is gone.

Apple Exec: New Apple TV Remote Doesn't Need Find My Because It's Thicker and Harder to Lose

Apple has been promoting the new M1 iMac, M1 iPad Pro, and second-generation Apple TV 4K following their announcements, and Apple's vice...

www.macrumors.com

 

[WilliApple]

Interesting... but would have ruined the design. I like that this did not end up happening.

 

[and 1989 others]

Probably added extra process to the manufacturing, and the cost outweighed the benefit. They may be a $T company, but I'll bet they will not spend when they don't need to.

 

[Born Again]

still using the old remote and 4k apple tv. no need to upgrade.

old remote works fine upside down.

 

[nutmac]

Find My and MagSafe would make this remote nearly perfect for me.

 

[_Spinn_]

If only it had precision finding...

 

[thadoggfather]

That finger rest would have helped so much in avoiding the remote from slipping off our hands like a bar of butter.

Got one of these for $5 on eBay. No regrets.

 

[NMBob]

It looked too functional.

 

[mansplains]

I like the new Apple TV remote without a notch.

...make way for Dynamic Island! Tap it to get to quick controls, like playback and volume

 

[IIGS User]

My finger NEEDS a rest with all the finger pointing I do and all.....

 

[Rhodes187]

The fact that Apple revealed with this new Apple remote and Air Tags at the same event yet never thought (or bothered more likely) to integrate air tag functionality is horrendous.
Unveiling:
"Hey we redesigned the Apple Remote chunkier, making one of the biggest (if not the biggest) remote complaints of these getting easily lost less prone to happen"
"Next, look air tags, they can be used to pin point exactly where they are, making items super easy to locate via the app or an audible sound"

Everyone:
Cool so the easy to lose and often complained about pain in the a** remote that keeps falling in couch cushions etc must have this air tag tech baked in??

Apple:
Nope

 

[wanha]

This... this... changes everything!!

 

[jvchappy]

Ugh. Wonder why they removed it... I would have loved that

 

[Gudi]

If you acknowledge ergonomics only once, you'd have to throw away Apple's entire lineup.

 

[omzz15]

The only thing I really would like added to the remote would be TouchID on the middle button. I hate typing in my passwords on this thing.

 

[bmustaf]

Not enough courage for it?

But in all seriousness, on a product like the Apple TV, if you're holding a remote for long enough to need a finger rest, it is probably an indicator that something much deeper needs to be improved in the Human-Device interaction model (this remote is not intended to be used as a game controller, even if people *do* use it as such, that is decidedly NOT the role for which it was designed). So, at that point, they're unnecessarily increasing production line complexity, time, and cost for what?

All that being said, it will likely be highlighted in next year's keynote as something that "changes your life" (Love AAPL products, hate the marketing that somehow everything is life changing and amazing).

 

[Orizaba]

They will add it in the next version and sell it to you as the next big feature...