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Remote for Next-Generation Apple TV to Include 'Touch Pad' for Scrolling

Monday May 4, 2015 4:52 pm PDT by Juli Clover
appletvremoteApple's next-generation Apple TV will include a new touch-based remote with a revamped design, reports The New York Times, citing sources with knowledge of Apple's plans. Described as being "slightly thicker" than the current version, the new Apple TV remote will gain a "touch pad" that will be used for scrolling, along with two physical buttons.

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.

applewatchremoteapp
Apple's Remote app for the Apple Watch

Size wise, The New York Times' source says the new remote will be similar in design to the remote control for the Amazon Echo speaker system, which is approximately 0.6 inches thick. The current Apple TV remote is 0.2 inches thick and has not seen a redesign since the second-generation Apple TV initially debuted in 2010.

amazonechoremote
Amazon Echo remote

Rumors have suggested that Apple's redesigned Apple TV could make an appearance in June, at the annual Worldwide Developers Conference. Along with today's rumor pointing towards a new design for the remote, previous rumors have indicated the device will include an A8 processor, Siri integration, a dedicated App Store, and expanded internal storage.

Apple is also rumored to be working on an accompanying Internet-based television service, which may see it providing between 20 and 30 channels at a price of $30 to $40 per month.

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Tag: Apple TV Guide
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[ 152 comments ]


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AnsonX10
54 months ago
Why not just convert the circle to a click wheel? It'd be perfect.

I love the click wheel. You can scroll indefinitely, and as fast as you want; something you can't do on "touch pads."
Rating: 26 Votes
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oneMadRssn
54 months ago
Please, no touch on the remote. One of the great things about the current remote is how I don't have to look at it at all to use it. It is so intuitive by feel alone. Unlike the remote apps, which require constantly looking down at the app to ensure your finger is in the right place.

Not everything is better with touch. Some things are much worse with touch.
Rating: 26 Votes
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misterberry
54 months ago
The remote did see one redesign from white plastic to the current aluminum one.
Rating: 15 Votes
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darcyf
54 months ago
Navigating with the touch screen on the iPhone remote app is imprecise and unpleasant. You never know how much to swipe to get to where you want to be. It constantly overshoots. Especially when in Netflix or movies or the like and trying to go down to the row of suggested/similar content beneath the current content you're considering - it overshoots and takes you down to the more info page every time! So annoying.
Rating: 11 Votes
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starnox
54 months ago
Hope it's not US only...
Rating: 9 Votes
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hlfway2anywhere
54 months ago


Size wise, The New York Times' source says the new remote will be similar in design to the remote control for the Amazon Echo speaker system, which is approximately 0.6 inches thick. The current Apple TV remote is 0.2 inches thick and has not seen a redesign since the Apple TV initially debuted in 2007.


oh really now?
Rating: 9 Votes
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CrAkD
54 months ago

All I want is Touch ID.... PLEASE


On an Apple TV? For what?
Rating: 8 Votes
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ActionableMango
54 months ago

The remote did see one redesign from white plastic to the current aluminum one.


Did those come with Apple TVs? I have a couple of those old plastic ones but in my case they came with Macs.

I miss Front Row. :(
Rating: 7 Votes
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HiRez
54 months ago

If the remote has a touchpad then that means that it'll be bluetooth right? Touchpads over IR just... don't work do they?.

If the next ATV doesn't have a non-line-of-sight remote of some kind I'm DONe with Apple TV. Overall I love the thing, but the remote is the biggest piece of crap I've ever used, it's brutal. It's not so much the design, it's the fact that like 75% of the time it just doesn't work. I have to stand up and lean towards the tv and point it exactly right at the box to get it to acknowledge actions, and even then it's flakey. When doing fast forward or rewind actions I oven way overshoot because it didn't get the play command. Just horribly unresponsive.
Rating: 7 Votes
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gorkt
54 months ago
The current remote is horrible. Easy to lose, not enough functionality unless you figure out all the stupid shortcuts. Roku got this one right over Apple.
Rating: 7 Votes

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