Next Apple TV remote to have a touch pad?

[pRICE cUBE]

http://www.macrumors.com/

The touch pad will likely replace the circular click-wheel style control that's on the existing remote, giving users an easier way to scroll through content on the Apple TV. Currently, navigating through content on a channel like Netflix with the Apple TV remote requires users to click multiple times on the click wheel.

A touch-based control area on the remote would likely function similarly to the Apple Remote apps on the iPhone and the Apple Watch, allowing for swipe-based controls for scrolling through content available on the Apple TV. Using the Apple Watch or the iPhone to browse channels and make selections on the existing Apple TV is both quicker and easier than using the current physical remote.

[Don C]

A reason to wait until the new ones come out, whenever that will be.

[Zoidberg]

I don't care what it's got, as long as it's bluetooth. The current remote's need for line-of-sight sucks, and using the iPhone (with the Remote app) is a cludgy solution.

[datbeme]

No bluetooth, please. IR is one of the things they got right. I don't want to use their stupid, limited button remote anyway; it goes into a bin with all the other OEM remotes. IR is what lets me run everything from a one simple universal controller. Now, if they would just use standard button conventions and add the capability for a few discrete commands, that I would like.

The current version works well enough as is so I can live with it. But if they aren't revolutionizing the user interface into something that's clearly better, then it's just a hassle that it's different from everything else.

[Robert M]

Dat,

I programmed the AppleTV to work with a Verizon multi-device remote. Everything is mapped to standard buttons. The remtoe works with the TV, the Verizon FIOS box and the AppleTV. Works nicely.

Robert

[silvarios]

datbeme wrote:
No bluetooth, please. IR is one of the things they got right. I don't want to use their stupid, limited button remote anyway; it goes into a bin with all the other OEM remotes. IR is what lets me run everything from a one simple universal controller. Now, if they would just use standard button conventions and add the capability for a few discrete commands, that I would like.

The current version works well enough as is so I can live with it. But if they aren't revolutionizing the user interface into something that's clearly better, then it's just a hassle that it's different from everything else.

While I don't disagree, there are universal remotes that work over Bluetooth. On the flip side, there are media boxes that handle IR and Bluetooth or IR and WiFi direct. Options are always nice.

[pdq]

Well, I lost my little AppleTV remote, so now my "remote" does have a touch pad:



I use my iPad2, and Remote looks a little different than the above on it. It is still going strong, for this purpose (and others); if Apple ever gets off the dime and makes a bigger iPad (iPad Maxi?), that's probably what the iPad2 will do more-or-less full time.

[sekker]

The included remote on the AppleTV is just horrible. Far too easy to lose, and not very useful at ALL.

We literally do not use them unless we absolutely have to.

We have Logitech programmable remotes - MUCH better - as well as iOS remotes.

The Roku3 remote is excellent in contrast. But full of buttons.

I'm hoping this means Apple really did their Magic to improve the ATV. But if I cannot put Sling and SimpleTV on it, I will just be getting more Roku boxes.