The best thing about the new Apple TV is just $59 — and it works with the old one

The best thing virtually the new Apple TV is just $59 — and it works with the old 1

(Image credit: Apple)

So the iPad Pro 2021 has an M1 chip, 5G connectivity and a Thunderbolt port? Absurd stuff, but that's not what caught my center during Apple's Spring Loaded effect yesterday (April 20). A new iMac design? Again, that looks keen, only it'southward non what has me buzzing. Ted Lasso Flavour 2 trailer? Can't wait for the July premiere, but again, I've got more important matters on my mind.

Yes, all of those things volition doubtlessly excite large swaths of the population who followed along with all of Apple's Spring Loaded effect announcements. Simply none of them had me bolt out of chair, take hold of my wallet and allow out a throaty cry for Apple to take my money already.

That honor goes to the new Siri Remote that accompanies the new Apple Tv set 4K 2021.

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The only affair I know about the Siri Remote is what I heard during Apple's 60 minutes-long recitation of product news, augmented by details from press releases and production pages. In other words, I'll have to actually spend some time with the Siri Remote before I can offer a definitive verdict as to whether or not it's a remote control worthy of the Apple TV. But I take used the current remote that Apple tree includes with its existing Apple Television models for some time now. And there is no way on God's dark-green earth that the new Siri remote could be any worse.

Remember of this every bit similar to a baseball game trade when your favorite team announces they've shipped off an error-prone player who couldn't hit h2o if he roughshod out of a boat. "Great trade," you'd likely enthuse. "Who'd nosotros become?" That encapsulates how I feel most the old Apple Tv remote.

The old Siri Remote: What went wrong

The existing Apple TV Siri remote is a thin black slab that goes missing more often than your deadbeat uncle when information technology'southward time to kick in his share on the eating place bill. It features black buttons that alloy in with a black surface forth with a trackpad located on one one-half of the remote — usually the half of the remote y'all take hold of by error.

How many evenings accept I picked up my Apple TV remote and tried to scroll through the on-screen menus, muttering about the non-responsiveness of the Apple Goggle box, only to realize that I'thousand dragging my finger across the non-touchpad terminate?

The short answer: every evening in recorded history.

How the new Siri Remote fixes things

I don't desire this to suggest that the just matter the new Siri Remote has going for it is that information technology's not the old remote. (Though, once more, have you *looked* at the former remote?) The buttons on the new Siri Remote are a different color than the device itself, making them standout.

In that location's a new clickpad with v-way navigation and a round design that you're unlikely to fault for the wrong terminate of the remote. And apparently, you tin make a round gesture around the rim of that clickpad to turn your remote into a jog control — all the better for scrolling through shows and movies to find that scene you wanted to rewatch.

Best of all, the Siri Remote is sold separately from the new Apple TV 4K (2021) that it accompanies. Perhaps I'll desire to pay the $179 for a new set-tiptop box to replace my aging model. Certainly, the new color balance feature and back up for loftier frame rate HDR brand the latest Apple TV an appealing option. But if I merely want to supervene upon my mean current remote — oh Lord, exercise I want to do this — all I have to do is pony up $59 and the new Siri Remote is mine.

Siri Remote outlook

There are still some things I'll need to experience starting time-hand with the new Siri Remote. I'm eager to meet if it's the same size as the current model, or a piddling chip more substantive, making it less likely to slip unnoticed into couch cushions or blend in with the article of furniture. I'd similar to find out just how responsive that clickpad is.

And if Apple's going to start releasing an AirTag capable of tracking your valuables, I'one thousand curious as to why that technology isn't built into the Apple TV's remote. Those things are very piece of cake to misplace, you know.

But these are small concerns in the greater scheme of things. Apple tree'due south replaced a wholly inadequate product with ane that actually has some hope. You'd promise for a trade-off similar that at any production effect.

Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom's Guide. He has stiff opinions about Apple tree, the Oakland Athletics and old movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.