Supposed next-gen Apple TV remote turns out to be third-party hardware

AppleInsider · March 31, 2021 10:58PM

Recent reports claimed Apple is developing a new Apple TV remote dubbed "B519," though that particular device appears to be third-party hardware designed for use by cable companies.

Earlier this week, 9to5Mac reported that Apple is working on a new Apple TV remote expected to launch with a next-generation set-top box later this year. A follow-up on Wednesday, however, reveals the device is in fact a remote designed by Universal Electronics.

Announced in November, the Apple TV accessory was developed and designed to serve cable, satellite, and MVPD companies offering Apple TV 4K as an alternative to the traditional cable box.

Eschewing the Siri Remote's -- controversially -- minimalist design, the Universal Electronics hardware is a typical candy bar style remote with a multitude of buttons that flank a central control "wheel." Dedicated buttons invoke Siri voice control and a programming guide.

According to 9to5Mac, Apple had a hand in designing the remote, though the tech giant's participation was left unmentioned in a Universal Electronics press release announcing the device last year. The remote is reportedly referred to internally at Apple as "B519," though that information is also in question.

Reliable reports from Bloomberg have indicated that Apple is indeed preparing a new remote control for a so-called "Apple TV 6" and code discovered in recent tvOS beta version backs up those claims. Last week, for example, code strings in the fourth tvOS 14.5 beta release replaced "Siri Remote" with "Apple TV Remote," while a fifth beta today points to a remote that includes a center button.

Previous rumblings suggest the new remote will feature fresh capabilities like a device location system similar to Find My on iOS.

jintech · March 31, 2021 11:01PM

Well that was anticlimactic.

jintech · March 31, 2021 11:02PM

I'm sure we will see some kind of update though.

edited March 2021

indiekiduk · March 31, 2021 11:29PM

Poor 9to5Mac

hexclock · March 31, 2021 11:40PM

Pretty lame.

gregoriusm · March 31, 2021 11:45PM

I do like the looks of that remote, though, especially with a mute button.

bloggerblog · April 1, 2021 12:19AM

gregoriusm said:

I do like the looks of that remote, though, especially with a mute button.

+1 for the mute button, but I prefer the touch pad over click buttons

jeffreytgilbert · April 1, 2021 12:58AM

I would say “anything would be better than the current remote” but that gives them way too much leeway to prove me wrong once again. Why is apple so bad at peripherals?

patchythepirate · April 1, 2021 1:20AM

jeffreytgilbert said:

I would say “anything would be better than the current remote” but that gives them way too much leeway to prove me wrong once again. Why is apple so bad at peripherals?

The people who created that meme are the same type of people that would’ve left the charging cord in the mouse permanently if given the option.

elijahg · April 1, 2021 1:22AM

patchythepirate said:

jeffreytgilbert said:

I would say “anything would be better than the current remote” but that gives them way too much leeway to prove me wrong once again. Why is apple so bad at peripherals?

The people who created that meme are the same type of people that would’ve left the charging cord in the mouse permanently if given the option.

So why isn't the keyboard charging port on the bottom if leaving it in permanently is such a problem?

zeus423 · April 1, 2021 2:32AM

patchythepirate said:

jeffreytgilbert said:

I would say “anything would be better than the current remote” but that gives them way too much leeway to prove me wrong once again. Why is apple so bad at peripherals?

The people who created that meme are the same type of people that would’ve left the charging cord in the mouse permanently if given the option.

Don't forget the guy who buys a third party charger to save $10 and blames Apple when his car catches on fire.

chasm · April 1, 2021 2:42AM

How on earth could 9to5 have missed the word "Universal" printed at the bottom of the remote??

Anyway, as I've said before -- not really having any problem with the Siri Remote, the touchpad is IMO pretty brilliant for scrolling, but I do get that if you let if fall down the couch in a dark room you might have trouble feeling when end is which. Not Jony's best design, though much better and easier to use than most TV and cable system remotes. For me, the big flaw is a lack of mute button.

lkrupp · April 1, 2021 2:55AM

zeus423 said:

patchythepirate said:

jeffreytgilbert said:

I would say “anything would be better than the current remote” but that gives them way too much leeway to prove me wrong once again. Why is apple so bad at peripherals?

The people who created that meme are the same type of people that would’ve left the charging cord in the mouse permanently if given the option.

Don't forget the guy who buys a third party charger to save $10 and blames Apple when his car catches on fire.

And the ones who want Apple to use only ‘industry standard’ ports, cables, chargers, whatever. No innovation, nothing proprietary, just do what everybody else is doing and conform. Don’t think different.

dewme · April 1, 2021 4:06AM

patchythepirate said:

jeffreytgilbert said:

I would say “anything would be better than the current remote” but that gives them way too much leeway to prove me wrong once again. Why is apple so bad at peripherals?

The people who created that meme are the same type of people that would’ve left the charging cord in the mouse permanently if given the option.

That picture is cute, but irrelevant. While I would prefer to be able to use the Magic Mouse while it’s charging, an automobile has to be disconnected from its recharging or refueling station to be operated, unless someone comes up with a refueling scheme similar to what’s used by military aircraft and ships. If you can’t use something while it’s charging, who cares where the recharging port is located?

rayz2016 · April 1, 2021 4:19AM

elijahg said:

patchythepirate said:

jeffreytgilbert said:

I would say “anything would be better than the current remote” but that gives them way too much leeway to prove me wrong once again. Why is apple so bad at peripherals?

The people who created that meme are the same type of people that would’ve left the charging cord in the mouse permanently if given the option.

So why isn't the keyboard charging port on the bottom if leaving it in permanently is such a problem?

Because there’s room on the back to keep the hole out of sight. There’s nowhere on the surface of the mouse to hide the hole, so they hid it underneath and I’d be surprised if they moved it.

If Apple put a hole on the front of the mouse then the Notch Police wouldn’t stop whining about it anyway, so it’s better off on the bottom.

rayz2016 · April 1, 2021 4:22AM

patchythepirate said:

jeffreytgilbert said:

I would say “anything would be better than the current remote” but that gives them way too much leeway to prove me wrong once again. Why is apple so bad at peripherals?

The people who created that meme are the same type of people that would’ve left the charging cord in the mouse permanently if given the option.

Which means they’re the same type of people who want a car they can drive to the shops while it’s still plugged into the mains.

rbnetengr · April 1, 2021 5:16AM

jeffreytgilbert said:

I would say “anything would be better than the current remote” but that gives them way too much leeway to prove me wrong once again. Why is apple so bad at peripherals?

The Remote app in iPhone/iPad is better than the AppleTV remote, and every iPhone/iPad owner has the remote app built in. Why buy something else?

citpeks · April 1, 2021 9:59AM

Throw up a story first(!), think later.

Such is the state of the tech media. Mostly predictable, often stale

UEI is the venerable player in the space, and it would be great to see its remote make it to retail.

edited April 2021

mike1 · April 1, 2021 12:32PM

If the tactile feel is good, that actually looks like the ideal remote.

maciekskontakt · April 1, 2021 1:14PM

Almost rearranged buttons Amazon FireTV remote control. To thos who do not know Universal is top remote control company for few decades now. They also build super remote controls for top theater manufactures such as Harman Kardon and others. I am not sure if lame, ut Apple is novice in remote control business at best comparing to Universal. They also made learning remotes (not preprogrammed, but you could teach signal from original one by faceing one another and following teachning instructions). I have discarded even Apple remotes for Apple TV snce the Gen 1 and used Universal teachning it functions from Apple remotes.

maciekskontakt · April 1, 2021 1:16PM

patchythepirate said:

jeffreytgilbert said:

I would say “anything would be better than the current remote” but that gives them way too much leeway to prove me wrong once again. Why is apple so bad at peripherals?

The people who created that meme are the same type of people that would’ve left the charging cord in the mouse permanently if given the option.

How do you know who are those people? You do not know anything, but make assumtions you know something. Stop judging. Leran more about behaviors.

Supposed next-gen Apple TV remote turns out to be third-party hardware

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