If my 6 year old can figure the Siri remote out in a few minutes i can't see what all the fuss is about.
Bunch of crybabies on here.....
Bunch of crybabies on here.....
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Has the Siri Remote Doomed the Apple TV?
- Thread starter fpnc
- Start date
-
- Tags
- apple tv 4 atv4 remote siri remote
- Sort by reaction score
I'm not very happy with the remote either. My biggest issues are that (1) my thumb nearly falls off when scrolling through long lists, (2) I seem to always pick it up the wrong way around (kind of like toast always falls with the buttered side down), and (3) as others have said it's very easy to trigger actions with a wrong touch.
At least 1) and 2) could be solved by some simple changes: Add accelerating scrolling when clicking the edges of the touchpad (like using the buttons on the old remote), and make the design more asymmetric (e.g. make the whole remote aluminum back and front, and only the touchpad in black).
At least 1) and 2) could be solved by some simple changes: Add accelerating scrolling when clicking the edges of the touchpad (like using the buttons on the old remote), and make the design more asymmetric (e.g. make the whole remote aluminum back and front, and only the touchpad in black).
Yes, since i got the case for the remote its much much easier to use and find!!!
This is my main problem with it, and I also think it should have been more contoured so you can immediately tell which way is up when you pick it up in a darkened room only to find you're holding it the wrong way round!
They should have used glass on the touch surface. Using the touchpad doesn't feel smooth. Hey could have made he e tire surface glass or made he part with the button have the matte plastic. The touchpad also doesn't fee responsive as the phone.
Please God no!
However, you can already use it like a D-pad. Instead of swipe you just tap it. Tap on the right if you want to go right, or left, top and bottom accordingly. I saw people on YouTube swiping down to go down and it doesn't look comfortable. Tapping on the bottom part of trackpad is a lot easier.
I was having trouble with grabbing the remote in the dark and trying to work it while it was upside down (not really a huge deal). However, I bought the little straps for the remote to keep my son from throwing the remote into the TV on accident when he was playing bowling games and realized that they solved the only trouble I was having with the remote.
The only change I would like to see is the ability to use an iOS device again, makes typing stuff easier.
The only change I would like to see is the ability to use an iOS device again, makes typing stuff easier.
I really like the remote.
I would like Suri enhancements, like tying in to Music.
The selection of letters to make up a title is very frustrating, so either a virtual keypad or using Suri would be my preference. But overall Atv4 is a big step forward.
The touch surface allows for my favorite feature of the ATV 4: video scrubbing. I "fast forward" through the opening credits/theme song of the shows I watch on Neflix. The touch pad allows for precise scrubbing to the end of those opening sequences that a d-pad simply does not allow for.
I personally like it; it's become familiar, and can be applied to lots of different functions and apps. If I had to criticise it would just be that it's too fragile, and expensive to replace. But I've found that my Panasonic tv remote automatically setup itself (presumably via hdcec ) and I frequently use that to navigate as an alternative, because I don't get anxious about dropping it. Once more Siri integration happens I'll prob exclusively stick to the apple one.
I don't hate the remote but I do think it is inferior to the old one for text entry and basic navigation purposes. However I don't game or use Siri. Im also someone that likes tactile buttons vs. a touch screen a gripe of mine with the Chromecast and also why I didn't use the Remote app for those tasks (queueing music and playback control though it was handy but you got more information in the UI to make it easier to use vs. the remote).
I also hate having to charge the remote. A charge may last months but the old apple remote lasted years on a battery.
I wish they offered a less expensive SKU that bundled the old remote. I thought that's what they were going to do with the territories that don't support Siri, but its the same remote they just call it the Apple TV remote (vs. Siri Remote) and not include the old Apple TV remote.
That said it works fine with the old one (though I don't like the linear OSK), so I put the Siri remote in a drawer and just use the old silver remote.
I also hate having to charge the remote. A charge may last months but the old apple remote lasted years on a battery.
I wish they offered a less expensive SKU that bundled the old remote. I thought that's what they were going to do with the territories that don't support Siri, but its the same remote they just call it the Apple TV remote (vs. Siri Remote) and not include the old Apple TV remote.
That said it works fine with the old one (though I don't like the linear OSK), so I put the Siri remote in a drawer and just use the old silver remote.
I really want it to be good for that, but I don't understand how you could possibly pull this off. The scrubbing sensitivity is just so high. If I move my thumb too little, there is no scrubbing. But if I move it just 1 Planck Length further, ATV4 is all like "oh, you want to skip forward 16 hours? okay!"
I actually find it much easier to use Siri. Example: "Siri skip forward xx seconds"
[doublepost=1455152356][/doublepost]
This is really the only issue I have with it, so I do agree with you there.
A bigger complaint for me though is that some software doesn't recognize discreet up/down/left/right commands from the old Apple Remote, or a Universal IR Remote, even though those should be perfectly valid input methods for up/down/left/right navigation.
I like the new remote, a small learning curve with the touchpad but I think asking if it doomed the TV is a bit dramatic.
I've only had my Apple TV for about a week, but I agree the new remote takes some getting used to. In a little time it should be fine for my use. I have ordered a protective case for it as it does feel fragile.
I venture to say that you and people who feel this way are in the minority. Cheers!
Last edited:
I've been using the new AppleTV almost daily since launch, after all this time the only problems I still run into are:
1.) Password entry sucks. There is a "Recent" option for re-entering a username/email address with 2 clicks, but no option to store passwords. The horizontal keyboard layout fails to take advantage of the touchpad the way a grid layout would, and Apple has done nothing to respond to critics about this issue. Simply offering users an option to switch between styles should not be difficult.
2.) Apple failed to learn from Microsoft's Windows 8 that hidden UI elements are not user friendly. Specifically, I am referring to hidden UI that is accessed from swiping Down or Up while something is playing. This could be resolved by giving a hint at the existence of the UI when something starts playing and auto-hide that hint after a few seconds. Apps could help by remembering selections people make within that UI, for example, I currently have to re-enable closed captions in PBS videos every single time I watch one.
Regarding the remote, over time I have gotten used to the layout of the remote. I think the biggest improvement for me was easily the purchase of a Griffin "Survivor" case for the remote that makes it far more comfortable to hold. I certainly have a wishlist of improvements I would like to see, but it works fine as it is.
1.) Password entry sucks. There is a "Recent" option for re-entering a username/email address with 2 clicks, but no option to store passwords. The horizontal keyboard layout fails to take advantage of the touchpad the way a grid layout would, and Apple has done nothing to respond to critics about this issue. Simply offering users an option to switch between styles should not be difficult.
2.) Apple failed to learn from Microsoft's Windows 8 that hidden UI elements are not user friendly. Specifically, I am referring to hidden UI that is accessed from swiping Down or Up while something is playing. This could be resolved by giving a hint at the existence of the UI when something starts playing and auto-hide that hint after a few seconds. Apps could help by remembering selections people make within that UI, for example, I currently have to re-enable closed captions in PBS videos every single time I watch one.
Regarding the remote, over time I have gotten used to the layout of the remote. I think the biggest improvement for me was easily the purchase of a Griffin "Survivor" case for the remote that makes it far more comfortable to hold. I certainly have a wishlist of improvements I would like to see, but it works fine as it is.
The ATV4 remote beats the ATV1-3 remote, but it does have its annoyances. I made up a really great lengthy complex password... then I had to enter it via the ATV4 remote. Over and over again. On the plus side, I will never forget that password as long as I live.
I use the Remote app for user name and password entry now. It's the only time I use the app but it's worthwhile.
I am neutral on the remote. I do not use the search function at all. I like searching on either my iPad, or MacBook whenever I have time, using media, suggestions, searches, then adding those to my lists. Example, Netflix, someone says great movie or series I add to my list. Then when we sit down to watch Netflix zip over to my list and watch. I prefer not having to go to my main TV, which maybe in use, to search for things to watch. Fit the searches in when I have time. My understanding is the new remote app will have this feature without using the main TV, now that will get my attention. Am I the only one that prefers offline searching?
Seems like it has been a fairly even split between those who have issues with the new remote and those who think it is fine in every respect. I would't call that an exactly ringing endorsement of the Siri remote.
[doublepost=1455616991][/doublepost]I purchased the new apple tv the very day and hour it was released. I was so excited! I love the apple tv, and now almost exclusively watch movies and shows that way. It arrived, and I set it all up. For several reasons I was NOT happy. I tried and tried to make things work. I called tech support. Meanwhile I had already sold my old one to a friend. After about two weeks, I returned my new apple tv, bought back my old one from a friend, and am now using my old one and LOVE it.