Concept: Magic iRemote for iOS Apple TV/iTV
Dan Wineman’s concept, above, for an iOS-powered Apple TV/iTV remote that's essentially an iPod touch without the screen, is interesting. Same accelerometer/gyro, same multitouch, same home button.
I think this device might even work as the only remote for the iTV, even when you’re just using it to, you know, watch TV. No pushbutton Apple Remote at all, in other words: everything is gesture-based. Tap to pause, swipe left to rewind, swipe right to fast-forward. Slide up or down to adjust volume. Home key to exit to the menu, which you navigate by flicking and tapping. And just imagine how much better seeking around in videos will be with a touch surface…
John Gruber still isn't sure if any intermediated device could work (though given you'll be sitting 10 feet away, one certainly will have to).
It’s an interesting idea, but I don’t know. The magic in the iPhone/iPad UI isn’t about putting your fingers on a flat surface and tapping/sliding/dragging. It’s in the direct manipulation. It’s that you’re touching the actual visual elements on the screen itself. A layer of abstraction peeled away. That’s why the Magic Trackpad does not make your Mac feel like an iOS device.
If Apple does go for something like this, however, you just know they'd call it Magic iRemote.
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I need to start filtering out "concept" for all apple tweets.
This doesn't even make sense currently since apple has no wireless display technology right now. The ipod touch like device is the itv, if it was also the remote then it would need a wire connected to the tv which clearly isn't going to happen. Unless they can make it push out video wirelessly this won't be it and even though the tech is there to do that apple doesn't use it and it wouldn't be a 99 dollar device
Tom, I think you may need to reread the article.
Do you think that this controller would act as a trackpad or would it simply be a smaller size of the screen where the user would have to estimate where to press? Either way it is a very interesting idea. Thanks!
Why not just use the iPhone/iPod itself? It's a reality with Mac OS and Windows based machines already (Logitech TouchMouse app). I see the price point, but Apple isn't known for putting cheap stuff on the market.
That does look pretty cool!
But what I'd like to see is a new Apple TV that's more like the Airport Express. Just a little module that plugs into the wall. Throw in a video processor chip and a bit of Flash memory and make it cheap enough I can connect one to every TV in the house. Then everything streams wirelessly from my Mac with a nice interface, remote controlled by the iPhone/iPod/iPad. That's all I want.
Though enjoy videos or movies on iPhone or iPad in the help of iFunia video converter for lack of flash support, yet very cool, handy and free on the go, but image that remote with iPhone/iPod/iPad, enjoy the stream TV on MAC with a nice interface really a match made in heaven!