Does the Siri Remote have you going around in circles? Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
When Apple TV 4K launched last year, it had fans salivating. But not for the sharper picture or faster processor. It was the new Siri Remote that caught everyone’s eye. Had Cupertino finally made a TV remote control that didn’t suck?
With its iPod-style scroll wheel, the second-generation Siri Remote promised to make scrolling through content effortless. In reality, the scroll wheel turned out to be hard to use, and lacked support from third-party apps like YouTube.
But don’t throw your remote at the TV just yet. When you get the hang of its quirks, the Siri Remote scroll wheel works surprisingly well. And you can use it with loads of essential apps, including Netflix, HBO Max and, of course, Apple TV+.
Apple TV 4K is a real steal after a massive 27% discount Photo: Apple
Looking to buy the Apple TV 4K? Amazon currently has an irresistible deal that drops the streaming box to its lowest-ever price of $129.99. That’s a massive $49.01 discount off its MSRP.
The deal is unlikely to last for long, so pull the trigger on it as soon as possible.
Priced at under $15, the R5 case keeps your sleek and slender remote in tip-top condition, and allows it to be easily tracked when it goes missing. It also makes your remote more comfortable to hold onto.
Bag yours before they're all gone! Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Update your home entertainment experience with an Apple TV 4K at its lowest-ever price. OWC is offering brand-new previous-generation units for just $109 for a limited time only.
That price is a whopping $70 off the hardware’s original price, and well below the previous low of $119. Act fast — you can buy up to three while inventory lasts.
This Apple TV remote has what others lack -- buttons! Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
If, like me, you hate the fiddly Apple TV Siri Remote like the pox, Function 101’s Button Remote for Apple TV might be your perfect choice.
It’s a traditional infrared remote control with 18 buttons, hence the name.
Thanks to its familiar design, it’s perhaps the easiest way to use your Apple TV. It works with most TVs and home theater components out of the box, and it costs just $29.95.
You don't need to buy the cow to enjoy the sweet cream. Or something. Photo: Jeremy Zero/Unsplash CC
You can get the best part of this year’s Apple TV update — the totally redesigned Siri Remote — at a healthy $9 off from Verizon Wireless right now. It’s the first discount we’ve seen on the new Apple TV remote, and it drops the price to just $49.99 with free shipping.
By buying the remote separately, current Apple TV owners gain major benefits while avoiding the big (and mostly pointless) investment in the pricey new set-top box. And you don’t need to be a Verizon Wireless subscriber to jump on this hot deal, either.
Its new interface better resembles the new Siri Remote that ships with the latest Apple TV 4K, introduced back in April, and offers greater functionality over the old design.
It's a big improvement from its predecessor. But not easy to open up. Photo: Apple
Most people haven’t gotten their hands on the 2021 Apple TV 4K yet. The good folks at iFixit have not only picked one up, but they’ve also stripped it down to peer inside.
A new teardown video suggests that the next-gen set-top box could be fairly straightforward to fix. However, don’t expect that same repair ease to apply to the upgraded Siri Remote.
Wouldn't it have been great if the Siri Remote featured some of Apple's smart AirTag tracking tech? Photo: Apple
Of all the items that get misplaced regularly in my home, the TV remote has got to rank up there as number one. Other items, such as keys and wallet, may have a smaller footprint, but for whatever reason it’s the TV remote which constantly winds up going MIA.
With Apple redesigning the hated Siri Remote for its 2021 Apple TV 4K, you’d think it would be the perfect time to add some kind of tracking functionality to the device. After all, Apple’s just introduced AirTag, its location-tracking smart tech which promises to help you locate those hard-to-find with impressive accuracy.
Surely Apple could have squeezed its U1 Precision Tracking tech into the revamped Siri Remote? Apparently not. And according to a somewhat cryptic comment by Tim Twerdahl, Apple’s vice president of product marketing for home and audio, it’s to do with it being too thick. Or something.