Todd VaziriOct 26

As someone who just helped my elderly parents switch from cable boxes to Apple TV, here are my two biggest gripes for Apple about this device:

1 - It is RIDICULOUS that the TV button on the remote defaults to the tv app. It should absolutely default to the Home screen (you should change this in settings>remotes).

My mantra for them is: "whenever you get confused, hit the TV button and it will take you back to the home screen."

Show threadTodd Vaziri

2 - Apple absolutely has to rethink the remote - not necessarily to add more buttons, but to redesign it with the thought that all the buttons do not have to be of equal size/shape. For example, PLEASE make Play/Pause larger and more prominent.

http://fxrant.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-apple-tv-siri-remote-but-gooderer.html

Oct 26 at 10:13pmIvory for Mac
Show threadFabienOct 26

@tvaziri doesn’t pressing the center of the circular area at the top also plays/pause?

(My own folks use plenty of stickers to make their devices more understandable)

Show threadTodd VaziriOct 27
@fabienmarry yes but it’s also the touchpad so it you press it and slightly swipe on the way down or up, you’re potentially f’d
Show threadFabienOct 27

@tvaziri indeed. My own mom is the queen of the unintended swipe/tap/double tap.

Somehow, iOS /touchscreen is so much harder to use than point and click ever was.

Show threadThomas SturmOct 26
@tvaziri Apple has a long tradition of UI innovation and maybe employs a majority of the experts in the field, but nobody in their remote control department seems to be aware of this fact.
Show threadBrett JohnsonOct 26
@tvaziri and don’t forget to turn on the focus outline so you can actually tell what’s selected. https://support.apple.com/guide/tvapp/increase-screen-contrast-atvbb6e80144/web
Increase Apple TV app screen contrast

Increase the screen contrast to make it easier to see items in the Apple TV app.

Apple Support
Show threadJohn CarusoOct 26
@tvaziri AppleTV does also work with IR universal remotes, so you can find a saner option and use that instead. But I 100% agree the one that comes in the box should be much better.
Show threadTodd VaziriOct 27
@john every universal remote would be more confusing than the Apple Remote for my parents
Show threadArmenOct 26
@tvaziri And add a button to toggle subtitles.
Show threadPhilippOct 27
@tvaziri also: backlit buttons please!
Show threadJeff ClatworthyOct 27
@tvaziri YESSSSS
Show threadBobby De WaltOct 27
@tvaziri Also this! The amount of times I hit the Back button instead of Play/Pause is ridiculous.
Show threadMiniOct 27
@tvaziri “Slow motion and jog” – oh my god, yes! I know VCR tapes were linear and often slow, but it should be possible to hover through digital videos without buffering freezes or accidentally jumping to completely different positions.
Show threadBill VinsonOct 27

@tvaziri I haven't ever been caused issues by this, BUT I am comfortable with tech, I learn new devices, I either force the system to change or adjust my behavior to fit where I have to... in short,I'm a geek. None of that invalidates the requests as these remotes due pose complications for a sizable chunk of people and should be more human focused.

Honestly, I wish there was an ecosystem of 3rd party remotes without extra buttons, just to replace this one remote. I'd love to see some new takes on this remote.