Why does't Apple come up with a proper remote protocol?

[daanodinot]

This has been bugging me with AirPlay for a very long time. AirPlay is less then ideal because it requires the sender to constantly send the content, instead of it functioning as a remote (like Chromecast).

Apple Music on the Apple TV 4 again reminded me of this problem. Apple has explored every possible avenue for playing Apple Music on the Apple TV, including:

- using the Siri Remote and the Apple Music app on your Apple TV
- using the Remote app and the Apple Music app on your Apple TV
- using AirPlay and the Apple Music app on your iOS device

...except the right one, which is remote controlling the Apple Music app on your Apple TV with the Apple Music app on your iOS device. This doesn't require your TV to be on while exploring Apple Music and it doesn't require your iOS device to constantly send content via AirPlay.

Why doesn't Apple come up with a proper remote protocol, so you can remote control any app on your Apple TV with the same app on your iOS device?

 

[Baron015]

This has been bugging me with AirPlay for a very long time. AirPlay is less then ideal because it requires the sender to constantly send the content, instead of it functioning as a remote (like Chromecast).

Apple Music on the Apple TV 4 again reminded me of this problem. Apple has explored every possible avenue for playing Apple Music on the Apple TV, including:

- using the Siri Remote and the Apple Music app on your Apple TV
- using the Remote app and the Apple Music app on your Apple TV
- using AirPlay and the Apple Music app on your iOS device

...except the right one, which is remote controlling the Apple Music app on your Apple TV with the Apple Music app on your iOS device. This doesn't require your TV to be on while exploring Apple Music and it doesn't require your iOS device to constantly send content via AirPlay.

Why doesn't Apple come up with a proper remote protocol, so you can remote control any app on your Apple TV with the same app on your iOS device?

What's wrong with the Remote app ?

Why does it have to be same app on the iOS device to be 'proper' in your view ?

AirPlay and Remote do two different things, although they can both result in music coming from the ATV output.

 

[daanodinot]

It requires my TV to be on to explore Apple Music and that's less than ideal. I'd rather just do it with the Apple Music app on my phone.

 

[T5BRICK]

I use Googles music app and a chromecast to do what you're doing. I haven't used Apples built in music app since iOS 6.

Probably not the solution you're looking for, but it works for me.