14 DAY TRIAL // Apple TV 2.4 and Remote 1.3 are two updates that now provide a new way for users to control the wireless media hub through multi-touch input on the iPhone’s touch-sceen. Apple details the updates on its Support section (for Apple TV 2.4) and on iTunes (for Remote 1.3).
According to AppleInsider, users can now access the main menu of Remote and flick or drag a finger across the screen to scroll through items. Tapping selects items on screen, while pressing and holding on a "menu" item moves back up one level in Apple TV's interface, as revealed by quick tests. In the release notes for Apple TV 2.4, the Mac maker reveals the following changes:
Remote app directional control - Control your Apple TV with simple finger gestures via the Remote app. This feature requires Remote 1.3 running on an iPhone or iPod touch with iPhone OS 3.0.
Flickr Search - Search Flickr photo tags to find recently updated photos of interest. Save searches to quickly find new photos or use as a screen saver for Apple TV.
New view options - View movies By Genre, By Movie, or Unwatched. View TV Shows and Podcasts By Date, By Show, or Unwatched.
Updated transport and chapter modes - During video playback, click right or left to fast forward or rewind. Additional clicks increase the speed. Click down to show chapter markers.
Tests carried out by the aforementioned source also reveal a significantly more complex control scheme within playback. Multi-touch mimics actions that would normally require a mouse on a computer, the testers stress, suggesting the scheme works as expected and to the advantage of the user. Commands required to control an Apple TV's menus with Remote include:
Tap: play or pause the current song or video. Flick left or right: skips to the next track (music), fast-forwards or rewinds (video). Drag left or right: fast-forward or rewind. Flick down (video only): show chapter markers, then flick left or right to skip chapters. Drag two fingers left (video only): invoke a ten-second replay.
Visit Apple here to learn more about Apple TV software updates, or iTunes using the link below, to download the free, Apple-developed Remote app. It requires an iPhone or iPod touch and is compatible with iPhone OS 2.2 and up.