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MotoArtDesign · Jul 13, 2010, 01:29 PM

Does anybody have a favorite app to control an Apple TV? I have a ton of music on mine, and I want to be able to drive from my couch without having the TV on. Right now I have Remote for the iPhone, but it is not very nice on the iPad. Suggestions?

subego · Jul 14, 2010, 11:33 AM

What do you mean by not very nice?

It certainly looks crappy pixel doubled, but I'm not bothered by running it in small mode. In fact, since I don't have to wait for the iPad to join my network, I like it better on the iPad.

I would also presume there's an app update in the works.

Okay... Not the most useful answer.

MotoArtDesign · Jul 20, 2010, 12:16 PM

It is just limiting to have the iphone size screen (even if 2x sized) on an ipad. I would really like a full resolution screen, maybe with room for more albums.

subego · Jul 21, 2010, 12:51 PM

Oh yeah. There's a bazillion ways it could be improved just with the iPhone version, let alone the iPad redesign it deserves.

From the moment I used it I wanted it to have cover flow.

It's one of my most used apps. I'm aching for an update too. In terms of functionality though, it's got most of the bases covered (creaky though it is), so I haven't felt any desire to pitch it.

MacinTommy · Jul 28, 2010, 11:40 AM

I think it's weird that Apple hasn't updated the remote app since iOS 4.0 came out.

The Final Dakar · Jul 28, 2010, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by MacinTommy

I think it's weird that Apple hasn't updated the remote app since iOS 4.0 came out.

My guess is one big update for when 4 comes out for the iPad.

MotoArtDesign · Jul 30, 2010, 11:59 AM

Interestingly, Gizmodo has posted on this very issue today:
Has Apple Forgotten About Its Remote App?

AppleTV is my *only* music source on my stereo, running through a Musical Fidelity Trivista DAC, MF A308 Amp, and Magnepan speakers. For all of the money I spent on the stereo, and the Apple TV, and the iPad...

... I'm surprised that Apple (the masters of interface deign), won't give me a decent control surface for this rig.

subego · Jul 30, 2010, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by MotoArtDesign

AppleTV is my *only* music source on my stereo, running through a Musical Fidelity Trivista DAC, MF A308 Amp, and Magnepan speakers.

It's sound so good, I can pinpoint exactly where in the room they set up the computer that encoded it.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

subego · Aug 3, 2010, 03:26 PM

Here's the sad answer.

Bringing the Remote app shine back to the iPod app

The Final Dakar · Aug 3, 2010, 03:31 PM

*sigh*

MotoArtDesign · Aug 4, 2010, 11:46 AM

Subego,
It does sound so good! Recording to iTunes in WAV format, and then playing back through a good DAC will give you as good or better sound that any high end CD player.

More from Gizmodo too:
Why Has Apple Neglected the Remote App? Because Just One Guy Made It

subego · Aug 5, 2010, 12:40 PM

Really... I was just messin' with ya.

The TUAW article is basically re-reporting what's in the Gizmodo article. Sad.

The explanation I got was that Apple is very against having static teams, as fighting between teams was one of the things that almost killed the company back in the Amelio days. Now, they shuffle their best minds to where they're most needed, and are content to let a project languish rather than keep it going with lesser people at the helm.

I've heard similar things about why iChat is rotting on the vine. At least the one developer part.

MotoArtDesign · Sep 1, 2010, 04:12 PM

With the new Apple TV release, the demand for an iPad Remote app becomes even greater.

By the way, I love the idea of renting TV shows.

Wiskedjak · Sep 1, 2010, 08:17 PM

I also like that we can finally rent tv shows. I had zero desire to buy shows for $3 just so I could watch them once.

MotoArtDesign · Sep 27, 2010, 02:08 PM

Finally got word that my new Apple TV is shipping. Still no word on a Remote app for the iPad though...

subego · Sep 27, 2010, 10:11 PM

Sadly, at least for the future of the Remote App, I think Apple would rather you use the iPod app on your phone/pad/touch and stream it.

MotoArtDesign · Sep 28, 2010, 12:01 PM

Yeah! It is here. Oh happy day!

I love you Apple!

Hands-On: Apple Remote 2.OH YES!

Demonhood · Sep 28, 2010, 01:47 PM

Guess they were just waiting for the AppleTV to be released.

subego · Sep 28, 2010, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by subego

Sadly, at least for the future of the Remote App, I think Apple would rather you use the iPod app on your phone/pad/touch and stream it.

Ahh... Umm...

Oops?

subego · Sep 28, 2010, 02:31 PM

You know, it may take me a bit to get used to the new "iTunes-ified" icon, but boy, since I've got it in my dock on both the iPhone and iPad, I am so happy the resolution on said icon isn't jacked anymore.

ibook_steve · Oct 1, 2010, 03:17 PM

Just tried this app with my new AppleTV 2G. It's fantastic! Very easy to use. It uses swipes so you don't have to look down for buttons. Very cool.

Steve

subego · Oct 8, 2010, 02:25 AM

I wonder if the lack of coverflow has anything to do with the potential (now manifest) licensing costs.

MotoArtDesign · Oct 19, 2010, 12:31 PM

After spending some time with the new Remote App, I have some comments:

The Good:
First off, it is a big improvement over the original Remote app. Big. The larger screen resolution makes navigation easier and the overall experience is more enjoyable.

The Bad:
The problem is the slow load times for the album cover art. I believe that this is why there is no coverflow. It would be incredibly slow to respond. It also makes browsing albums slow and somewhat cumbersome. This was a problem with the old remote app, so it is not a criticism, but I do have a suggestion for fixing it.

What if Remote downloaded and stored your album cover art to the ipad directly? It wouldn't have to be that much data, and it would greatly speed up navigation.

-Q- · Oct 19, 2010, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by MotoArtDesign

What if Remote downloaded and stored your album cover art to the ipad directly? It wouldn't have to be that much data, and it would greatly speed up navigation.

Interesting idea, but not sure how effective it would be. Would you convert the covers to a smaller version for use in just the app? B/c my music collection has almost 800MB of album art associated with it. Not sure I'd want to give up 400MB of space just for album art used in the remote.

I suppose you could link it to the library you currently have on your iPad...

subego · Oct 20, 2010, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by MotoArtDesign

The problem is the slow load times for the album cover art. I believe that this is why there is no coverflow.

Good point.

Still in the "bad" category, has anyone experienced flakier than usual reconnects?

What's really weird is that I've sometimes been able to use the controls successfully right after an unlock, but then it will go to the connecting screen.

MotoArtDesign · Oct 20, 2010, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by -Q-

I suppose you could link it to the library you currently have on your iPad...

Yeah, there you go! A lot of that image data is already on my ipad.

subego · Dec 4, 2010, 07:26 PM

I can't complain about the iPad Remote app in the slightest, but I'd say 3 or 4 times out if 10, the iPhone app won't connect, and I'm forced to go to Settings, where it connects immediately (without touching anything).

Anyone else with this problem?

chabig · Dec 6, 2010, 10:28 AM

The original poster's answer has been met in the form of AirPlay.