A few thoughts on the new Apple TV
- The interface is very fast, the “parallax wiggle” on icons seems like a gimic, but is actually a really useful way to locate your position on screen.
- The remote looks more breakable in screenshots than it actually is.
Thankfully it is pretty light and the trackpad does not have a glass top. If you have kids, you’ll understand this one.Turns out it actually is breakable but you can still use the old remote to some extent. - The remote although faster to use than the old model is a change in paradigm that may confuse some users, initially. Or maybe it was just me continually holding it upside down.
- The app store is pretty spartan, but there are good apps in there, unfortunately discoverability seems to be a bigger problem than on iOS.
- MFI controllers work in the system menus, which is a nice touch
- If you have a USB-C to USB-A cable you can install additional apps from GitHub, like Provenance (a multi system emulator) and Auntie Player (Unofficial BBC iPlayer)
- Speaking of the Beeb, I know they say an iPlayer app is coming, but when consider the absence of all UK catchup streaming services I have to wonder if Apple could not have been a little more selective with who got the devkits.
- All the pre-installed apps from the previous model (Crunchy Roll anyone?) are available as downloads. That’ll save some clutter, thank goodness.
- No Podcasts app
- But Apple Music is finally here, to that’s good.
- But without Siri support sigh
- And there’s no support from the iOS or WatchOS Remote apps, expect updates soon I guess
- Simplex is a great termporary(?) replacement for Plex
- You can use Siri Remote like a Wii Controller which is fun and reminds me that the Apple Store is selling wrist straps that connect to the lightning port. Yes, serioulsy.
- There are a number of less-than-obvious controls/shortcuts on the remote that help when inputting text, such as pressing the Play/Pause button to change case, in addition those found here. You can also double click the display button to show the app switcher and quit apps with an upward swipe.
