New Apple TV Siri Remote incompatible with some tvOS games
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.
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.
Comments
"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! 😎
HARD HARD PASS.
As I've often said, when Apple decides to go in a new direction with something they tend to burn the entire house down and only give you a tiki hut for a year while they build you an ultimately-better house. This can be aggravating, to be sure.
I can understand that it didn't make sense for Apple to allow for games on the Apple TV, but not have any dedicated first-party controller - hence them deciding to set the Siri Remote as the official controller.
It may have been better for them to have debuted Apple TV games with a dedicated game controller.
Of course the have access to all the data points they need and I guess it didn't make sense for them to make a controller.