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   Apple Overhauls the Apple TV Remote App

   Josh Centers

   When the fourth-generation Apple TV was released, many were dumbfounded
   that the Remote app for iOS didn't work with it. Weeks later, the app
   was updated to support the new model, but it lacked key features like
   Siri support. Now, Apple has released a new app, called [1]Apple TV
   Remote, that emulates the physical Siri Remote.

   The new Apple TV Remote app is much simpler than its predecessor. For
   instance, it no longer connects to iTunes libraries, only the
   fourth-generation Apple TV. It's also an iPhone-only app; while it will
   run on the iPad, it's not optimized for the larger screen. However, the
   previous app, now renamed [2]iTunes Remote, remains in the App Store,
   and it can connect to iTunes libraries, as well as the second- and
   third-generation Apple TV models.

   Setting up the Apple TV Remote app is now much simpler; you no longer
   have to dig through a menu on the Apple TV to connect it. Open the
   Apple TV Remote app, select your Apple TV, and then enter the PIN
   displayed on your TV screen.

   [3][tn_Apple-TV-Remote-setup.jpg]

   The app's simplicity is stark. Apart from lacking volume buttons, it's
   basically the same as the Siri Remote, with a touchpad and buttons for
   Menu, Play/Pause, Menu, and Siri. As with the Siri Remote, you can tap
   the sides of the touchpad while watching video to skip 10 seconds, or
   hold the sides to rewind and fast-forward.

   Notably, it adds support for controlling the Apple TV via Siri. In my
   testing, using it with Siri worked well, but the app causes the iPhone
   to vibrate when you hold down the Siri button, which is disconcerting.

   The Apple TV Remote app also includes some contextual controls. While
   video is playing, ten-second skip buttons appear to the left and right
   of the Play/Pause button. A Details label appears in the upper right '
   tapping that brings up a screen where you can control media directly.
   There, you can scrub the video's timeline, as well as rewind,
   play/pause, and fast-forward. Oddly, controls like these don't appear
   when playing songs from Apple Music.

   [4][tn_Apple-TV-Remote-media-controls.jpg]

   Highlighting a text field brings up a keyboard, which you can dismiss
   by tapping Done in the upper left. Bring it back again with the
   keyboard button at the top of the screen. This part of the app is a
   little buggy. Sometimes the icon remains even after I've left a text
   field, and sometimes it doesn't appear when I access one.

   [5][tn_Apple-TV-Remote-keyboard.jpg]

   The most interesting aspect of the Apple TV Remote app is that it
   doubles as a game controller. When you launch a game, a game controller
   button appears at the top of the screen. Tap it to reveal a
   landscape-oriented game controller, with a touchpad on the left and
   control buttons on the right. Just as with the Siri Remote, you can
   move the iPhone around in space to play motion-controlled games. (Don't
   drop it!)

   [6][tn_Apple-TV-Remote-gaming.jpg]

   Overall, the Apple TV Remote app is an essential download for all
   owners of the fourth-generation Apple TV, and it's much better suited
   for the device than the previous app. It's a little disappointing that
   Apple didn't extend its capabilities beyond what's possible in the Siri
   Remote, with features like dedicated music controls, an iPad-specific
   version, and volume buttons for HDMI-CEC-supported equipment. But that
   gives us something to look forward to!

References

   1. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apple-tv-remote/id1096834193?mt=8&at=10l5PW
   2. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/itunes-remote/id284417350?mt=8&at=10l5PW
   3. http://tidbits.com/resources/2016-08/Apple-TV-Remote-setup.png
   4. http://tidbits.com/resources/2016-08/Apple-TV-Remote-media-controls.png
   5. http://tidbits.com/resources/2016-08/Apple-TV-Remote-keyboard.png
   6. http://tidbits.com/resources/2016-08/Apple-TV-Remote-gaming.png

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