Hands-on with the new Apple Remote

Like many of the others at TUAW who really wanted to see this remote, I got my new Apple Remote a few days ago, and here are some of my impressions.
Size:

It's noticeably bigger than the old Apple Remote. It feels nice in your hand, and it also won't be as easy to lose. It's also very thin, and has a tapered design just like the iPod nano has.
Design:
It sure looks a lot like the unibody MacBook Pro, and some other Apple product recently released. The buttons are black and made of plastic, while the rest is made of aluminum.
Details:
It does have one extra button than the old one. It's the Play/Pause button, however, there's still a button in the center, like the old remote, that still does the same thing as the play/pause button below it.
It's just a remote, but it just might make a great little gift for the holidays.
What do you think of this remote? Let us know in the comments below!
Share
Categories
Like many of the others at TUAW who really wanted to see this remote, I got my new Apple Remote a few days ago, and here are some of my...
Add a Comment
That thing is longer than my wife's White Rabbit. Sheesh, why so long? Dual purpose? lolol
November 08 2009 at 2:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI just got my Apple Remote I had ordered with my 27" iMac. It didn't work with Hulu desktop, so I downloaded Plex and it suggested to install Candelair remote driver. After installing Candelair, Hulu desktop now works with the new Apple Remote. Watched V pilot last night on the 27, very cool.
November 08 2009 at 7:17 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyLove the aluminum and sleek feel. But the plastic remote had the perimeter buttons raised. Not so on the new one. Whereas you could go by feel on the old one, you have to slow down and really massage this one to get a sense of where your fingers are.
Not as easy to use and not as comfortable in the hand. It's a step up in materials and a step down in functionality.
Is it magnetic like the small white one?
November 06 2009 at 11:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI'd guess not. No more sticking the remote to the side of your white iMac...
November 07 2009 at 9:09 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI think the Remote App kinda makes it obsolete... mine is out but rarely used... still being an apple junky I want this... There is no good excuse...
November 06 2009 at 10:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI was trying to find a way to fall asleep and then I read this post. Zzzz
November 06 2009 at 9:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDoes anyone know if the new remote is shipping with the Apple TV now?
November 06 2009 at 6:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyit reminds me of the old 3rd gen iPods... where they tried to do with more buttons to make it easier, but it didn't really quite work out... because it still didn't look as good.
I think it's still in tickering, they'll mod the colours scheme a bit, reduce the # of buttons, but the look, size & feel will is great.
Not *quite* enough for a holiday gift though... it's like, great, okay, a remote... for.. okay, sure.
what i mean is... like you have to make sure that person has all the gear to support and you know *like* the use of the remote (or its a dud gift)... and if you knew them that well, wouldn't you get them something better/bigger? :)
November 06 2009 at 6:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replystocking stuffer for someone you know better and are getting them better gifts as well.
November 06 2009 at 7:02 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI am loving it. I have a dozen or so photos of the remote on http://www.totalapps.net/hardware/new-apple-itunes-remote/ a nice one comparing the size with the Mighty Mouse too.
November 06 2009 at 6:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyanother nice touch is blog-spamming your relevant article.
November 06 2009 at 6:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyOn my old remote, the little cover-thing on the bottom (the bit with the dimple in it) sort of half-sticks out. When I'm watching videos and I'm holding the remote, I obsessive-compulsively click it in and out.
The new one doesn't have one of those things, does it?
Hot Apps on TUAW
Deals of the Day
more deals- miFrame Picture Frame Dock for iPad for $64 + $8 s&h
- Refurb Apple iPod nano 8GB MP3 Player for $99 + free shipping, 16GB for $119
- Hannspree Apple-Shaped 28" 1080p LCD HDTV for $270 + free shipping
- Philips wOOx Alarm Clock Radio for Apple iPod / iPhone for $60 + free shipping
- iWatchz Elemetal Collection Bracelet for iPod nano for $75 + free shipping
- iFrogz Luxe Lean Hard Case for iPod touch for $10 + free shipping
Software Updates
more updates- EFI Firmware Update brings Lion Internet Recovery to 2010-model Macs
- OS X Lion 10.7.3 released with Safari 5.1.3, Wi-Fi bug fix
- Aperture updated to 3.2.2, addresses Photo Stream issue
- Apple updates Keynote to address Lion issues
- Google Search app gets new look on iPad
- Apple releases Apple TV Software Update 4.4.3



45 Comments