The 2021 Apple TV Siri Remote Almost Had a Finger Rest

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.

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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.


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.

siri remote 3
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.

siri remote 4
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.

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Top Rated Comments

Trik Avatar
41 months ago
Sometimes I have to remind myself that not all rumors are of equal worth...
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
41 months ago
Apple needs to make space for AirTags. It gets tiring losing the remote around the house.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thadoggfather Avatar
41 months ago

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.

Attachment Image
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Amazing Iceman Avatar
41 months ago
That finger rest would have helped so much in avoiding the remote from slipping off our hands like a bar of butter.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
41 months ago
I like the new Apple TV remote without a notch. :D
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rhodes187 Avatar
41 months ago
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
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)