A look at why Apple’s previous Siri remote was so universally loathed, and why the tech company had to shake things up for the new Apple TV 4K 2021.
There’s a new Apple TV 4K (2021) on the market – and while not much is different compared to the 2017 model, there is one area that Apple did have to rework their original design intentions, and that’s with the Siri remote. The Siri remote was a broadly criticized hardware accessory, and pretty much the only point of contention for Apple TV owners waiting for an updated streaming box with a competent remote to match – to the point that we advocated for using your iPhone as a remote instead (which is still a great option). Thankfully, Apple did answer our prayers, with an overhauled remote that fixed the primary issues users had with the previous model – even if we have one lingering complaint about its construction. But what was really so wrong with the older remote, and was it as bad as people say? Back when TechRadar reviewed the old Apple Siri remote in 2017 – and the previous iteration of the Apple TV 4K released – we wrote: “The remote feels like a good balance between lightweight and well-made – although it can be tossed around easily it’s comfortable to hold, with the tactile, brushed feel and rounded edges make it something you want to play with in your palm without thinking. “Well, don’t – there’s a touch-sensitive pad at the top that will register your slightest quiver, and which clicks to register an input.” It’s that final point that’s worth dwelling on. Apple saw fit to ‘reinvent’ the remote by bringing across the touch-sensitive controls usually found on a Macbook trackpad or Magic Mouse, no doubt hoping to disrupt expectations of what a remote should be. The problem is that TV screens aren’t generally designed to be navigated in the same way as a keyboard and mouse, with smart TV platforms and TV channel guides generally having layouts that predict simple up, down, left and right movements – or navigation that circumvents that entirely, using voice commands or universal search functions which can skip to the desired content or app.
