Sam OliverSimilar to the long press used to move icons on the iPhone and iPad, users simply hold down the select button on Apple's remote while an icon is selected. Once this is done, the selected will begin to wiggle, and it can be dragged to a custom location on the TV screen.
In current, public builds of the Apple TV operating system, holding down the select button will put the device to sleep. Icons on the screen are also displayed in a static grid and cannot be moved.
Only one icon can be moved at a time with the new feature found in the second beta of the Apple TV. The feature was demonstrated in a video created by MacMagazine.com.br (via MacRumors).
Apple issued the second beta of its next software update for the Apple TV set-top box to developers on Monday, alongside iOS 6 beta 2 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The software is scheduled to publicly launch this fall.
The redesigned Apple TV user interface debuted earlier this year with the launch of a new 1080p-capable model of the device. Apple executive Eddy Cue portrayed the update as a simplified design that makes it easier for users to access features on their Apple TV.
The grid-like layout with application icons brought the Apple TV interface even closer to its iOS-based iPhone and iPad counterparts. The forthcoming addition of a customizable icon grid could be seen as making the Apple TV one step closer to receiving its own App Store with downloadable third-party software designed for HDTVs.
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31 Comments
This being said, I would think the iOS apps store for AppleTV wouldn't be far behind. I can't see any other reason why it would be handy to do this.
[quote name="macxpress" url="/t/150943/ios-6-beta-for-apple-tv-allows-customizable-app-icon-layouts#post_2135142"]…the iOS apps store for AppleTV wouldn't be far behind.[/quote] How horrid… Did they also fix the page jump? It should scroll down instead of JUMPING to all icons.
This being said, I would think the iOS apps store for AppleTV wouldn't be far behind.
How great!
This being said, I would think the iOS apps store for AppleTV wouldn't be far behind. I can't see any other reason why it would be handy to do this.
The two reasons I think they're holding off on the App Store for AppleTV - no great way of controlling it (the little remote isn't good enough). And, they're probably waiting so they can push it as a major feature with their dedicated TV.
I wish they would just create a little gaming/remote controller for the AppleTV, and this thing could be absolutely huge - people need an easy/comfortable way to pick up and play with it. But I've got a feeling they'll try to make it totally controlled by iOS devices, which seems a bit of a misstep and not actually that practical. Hopefully they'll come up with a way to integrate both.
It will be amazing though, hundreds/thousands of little games, giving power back to independent developers in the 'console' space. I think it could easily bring us back to the nintendo/sega era of gaming, simplicity vs 60 dollar premium xbox titles.
[quote name="macxpress" url="/t/150943/ios-6-beta-for-apple-tv-allows-customizable-app-icon-layouts#post_2135142"]This being said, I would think the iOS apps store for AppleTV wouldn't be far behind. I can't see any other reason why it would be handy to do this. [/quote] [quote name="september11th" url="/t/150943/ios-6-beta-for-apple-tv-allows-customizable-app-icon-layouts#post_2135146"]The two reasons I think they're holding off on the App Store for AppleTV - no great way of controlling it (the little remote isn't good enough). And, they're probably waiting so they can push it as a major feature with their dedicated TV. I wish they would just create a little gaming/remote controller for the AppleTV, and this thing could be absolutely huge - people need an easy/comfortable way to pick up and play with it. But I've got a feeling they'll try to make it totally controlled by iOS devices, which seems a bit of a misstep and not actually that practical. Hopefully they'll come up with a way to integrate both.[/quote] I think it would have to be a separate set of apps for this reason, I don't know if Apple would develop a different controller for AppleTV. Another way would be to encourage app developers more strongly to offer Airplay compatible options, so you use your iOS device as the controller, main processing on the handheld and beam it to the screen.