Mikey Campbell
As shipments of Apple's latest and greatest Apple TV reach eager customers, some may be disappointed to find Apple's Remote app for iOS and watchOS incompatible with the new model, meaning all tvOS navigation and text entry must be conducted via the included Siri Remote and onscreen keyboard.
Apple itself confirms the Remote apps for iPhone and Apple Watch only support third-generation Apple TVs or earlier, as noted by a recently updated support document covering app setup. Seen above, the webpage now says in no uncertain terms that Remote cannot be used with the new Apple TV.
It is unclear if Apple chose to leave out Remote app compatibility in a bid to push the new Siri-powered control interface, but the decision is already causing problems for users averse to onscreen keyboards. Some reviewers found the new Apple TV version more difficult to use than past iterations due to an odd character layout, for example.
Paring down buttons on a physical remote meant Apple had to implement hunt-and-peck style alphanumeric entry, which on previous generation Apple TV units is arranged in an alphabetized 6-by-6 digit square with extra rows for numbers, special characters and commands. On the new Apple TV that square is stretched to a long row of letters, another for numbers and yet another for text input options, meaning users have to swipe back and forth using Siri Remote's touchpad.
Remote control setup menu screen on 4th-gen Apple TV.For many, the Remote app was an effective workaround that provided a handy soft keyboard on an iPhone or iPad, though others preferred Bluetooth keyboards (the 4th-gen Apple TV nixes this feature as well for certain models). Further, Apple Watch owners were able to quickly access controls for UI navigation and content playback via the native Remote app.
It is unknown whether or not Apple has plans to tack on compatibility, but disassociating Apple TV from its flagship mobile products seems like a glaring oversight. It is possible that future Remote app updates will bring back support for both iOS and native watchOS apps, though a tvOS update might also be required.
-m.jpg)
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Andrew O'Hara
Sponsored Content
Charles Martin
264 Comments
Interesting. I'm assuming they're working on updating the app to support the ATV4. I use an Apple keyboard with my ATV2, but can see where some folks would prefer to use their iPhone/iPad.
This is hugely disappointing. I ordered my 64GB today for store pickup tomorrow. But I will not be picking it up tomorrow. I'll wait until this issue is fixed (it looks like the @TV is available within an hour of ordering in your nearby Apple Store). It had better be.
Bluetooth keyboards don't work either. They did work with the 3rd gen.
I picked one up today. The keyboard is certainly a challenge, especially for services like Netflix and Hulu where it is a lot of scrolling around. The good news for some services like YouTube, HBO GO, etc it directed you to the web page to put you info in on a web browser with an activation code. I can't imagine this won't be addressed with an iOS app soon. But overall, this is a pretty neat little box. Several of my iOS games showed up as Purchased in the App Store and were quite usable. It is not "blow your mind amazing" but you can see this will become a major focal point for app developers. Definitely glad I picked one up.
[IMG]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/64824/width/200/height/400[/IMG]