Apple's Eddy Cue hints at new Remote app for Apple TV, says over half of fourth-gen buyers are upgra
Apple is at work on a new iOS remote app that will fully replicate the functions of the Siri Remote bundled with the fourth-generation Apple TV, according to the company's senior VP of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue.
The app should arrive "in the first half of next year," Cue said in a BuzzFeed News interview. He didn't elaborate on details, but full functionality would imply being able to trigger the Apple TV's voice commands for search and playback.
Tuesday's release of tvOS 9.1 enabled support for the existing Remote app. This mainly lets users swipe around using iOS devices or the Apple Watch, and on iOS, type much faster than when using the Siri Remote.
Cue also commented that "a little over half" of Apple TV buyers are coming from the third-generation model, while most of the rest are completely new to the platform. Apple faces a much tougher media player market in 2015, with serious competition from Roku, Google, and Amazon. The Apple TV is the most expensive set-top in the bunch, starting at $149.
Aside from streaming video, games have been "pretty hot" on the new model, according to Cue. He suggested that like the iPhone, the new Apple TV is appealing to casual gamers who might not be prepared to buy something like an Xbox One or PlayStation 4.
"I think Apple TV expands the gaming market to those people," he said.
![](http://photos.appleinsidercdn.com/gallery/15213-11342-appletv2015-iso-l.jpg)
The app should arrive "in the first half of next year," Cue said in a BuzzFeed News interview. He didn't elaborate on details, but full functionality would imply being able to trigger the Apple TV's voice commands for search and playback.
Tuesday's release of tvOS 9.1 enabled support for the existing Remote app. This mainly lets users swipe around using iOS devices or the Apple Watch, and on iOS, type much faster than when using the Siri Remote.
Cue also commented that "a little over half" of Apple TV buyers are coming from the third-generation model, while most of the rest are completely new to the platform. Apple faces a much tougher media player market in 2015, with serious competition from Roku, Google, and Amazon. The Apple TV is the most expensive set-top in the bunch, starting at $149.
Aside from streaming video, games have been "pretty hot" on the new model, according to Cue. He suggested that like the iPhone, the new Apple TV is appealing to casual gamers who might not be prepared to buy something like an Xbox One or PlayStation 4.
"I think Apple TV expands the gaming market to those people," he said.
Comments
The new Remote App needs to incorporate the Home and Siri buttons and also game controller features.
Its interesting that the timing of this announcement coincides with the rumor that there will be a brand new TV released early next year as well. Regardless, I will definitely wait until I see how all this pans out before I upgrade my TV 3. I'm not a gamer so that doesnt really motivate me, and I've yet to see anything radically different from what I already have, yet. Eager to see what must have apps developers create for the living room.
Was sorry to see it confirmed that Apple has decided not to move into program packaging deals at this time, but the fact it was confirmed that Apple is in the position to launch those services, is good news for everyone speculating what Apple would do. I suspect when Apple does finally launch it will blow everything else out of the water.
Swiping will always be better on the Siri Remote.
Siri will always be better on the Siri Remote.
The Remote App can't do volume control.
Where I find the Remote App useful is for:
1. Text Entry
2. Quick input when I don't have the remote on me.
3. Browsing Home Sharing library on the device and selecting a playlist or video from there.
Basically like Microsoft's SmartGlass app for Xbox. I'd love to see this kind of thing for Apple TV.
id be willing to bet that most PITS (Persons In The Street) had never heard of the app nor used it. techies on rumor sites and writing/reading reviews? sure. normal people? i doubt it.
thus their decision to prioritize launching over waiting for the Remote app was certainly the correct one.
This is a long game. ATV4 really helps expand the Apple/iOS/App Store ecosystem into the living room. Games / apps that cross seamlessly from iPhone / iPad to ATV will have a strong attraction. But getting this message out & to be understood such that it affects purchasing decisions takes some time.
Addressing this when it was revealed only spawned hate comments that I didn't know what I was talking about.
Apple fans were explaining features were cut to make AppleTV a "budget device".
Yeah, suddenly Apple is a cheap budget brand. (While XBOnes and ps4's are selling at $400+)
True, and this means the AppleTV should have been better thought out. Most people will NEVER download the Remote App. The experience should be hassle free from the start.
Re:Next Gen AppleTV
I can guarantee you when Apple gets their TV service sorted out, a new bad a** AppleTV will be revealed. This will be the big one. The current one is more of a mandatory upgrade that fans were begging for, for years.
SmartGlass for Xbox was made as a direct response to Wii U.
If Nintendo ever gets it's head out if it's a** I hope they destroy these copy cats who bring ZERO innovation to gaming.
Nintendo's TVii app was freaking GENIUS but with ZERO marketing and ZERO support(from Nintedo themselves) it never took off. The ability to comment on shows, clips and screen caps, draw on show screenshots, bet on sports games, simplified TV program UI etc. was so futuristic.