Mikey Campbell
The Siri Remote included with Apple's new Apple TV 4K does not integrate an accelerometer or gyroscope for motion input, making it incompatible with some tvOS games.
Apple introduced a new Siri Remote with its latest Apple TV 4K iteration, addressing a number of complaints regarding the first-generation model's design and usability. While an improvement in some ways, the remote does not incorporate seemingly basic hardware to enable key input functionality.
Specifically, the new Siri Remote does not include an accelerometer or gyroscope, reports Digital Trends. The sensing systems are currently used to enable motion controls in certain third-party apps like games.
Apple's decision not to incorporate the hardware, and thereby extend the remote's gaming prowess, could be a conscious move to push users toward more robust dedicated controllers. A forthcoming version of tvOS acknowledges the apparent shortcoming and urges users to "connect the Apple TV Remote (1st generation) or a compatible PlayStation, Xbox or MFi controller," according to code reviewed by MacRumors.
With an A12 Bionic chip, Apple TV 4K has the potential to be more than a casual gaming device. While not the A12X, which sports a 7-core GPU Apple once touted as an equal to Xbox One S, the A12 is no slouch and still sees use in iPhone XR and iPad.
Bundled with Apple TV 4K, Apple's new Siri Remote can also be purchased separately for $59.
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56 Comments
What?! Why is it one step forward two back with Apple now? Most 3D tvOS games use the accelerometer/gyro. Plenty are abandoned too and will never be updated to function properly without the new remote. So this means the AppleTV is really $149 + $99 for a PS4 controller that is pretty much essential if you want to play 3D games. Even more reason to believe Apple isn't serious about AppleTV games. But of course it's all fine really because most importantly, that's $1.50 extra profit per AppleTV.
A TV remote should have not ever been considered or use as a GAME CONTROLLER in the first place.
"Anything can be forced to converge, but the problem is that products are about tradeoffs, and you begin to make tradeoffs to the point where what you have left doesn't please anyone,". "You can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but those things are probably not going be pleasing to the user." — Tim Cook 2012
In this case, it look like Apple just canceled its Toaster/Frig mistake! 😎
I HAD A FUC*ING FEELING THIS PIECE OF SHI* HAD FUNCTIONALITY LIKE THE GYROSCOPE REMOVED.
HARD HARD PASS.