My new Apple TV Remote arrived this morning, and I spent half an hour futzing with it. Here are some initial thoughts.
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Yes. This remote is better than the prior one in every conceivable way. I don’t hate the old one as much as John Gruber does, but picking it up in the dark sometimes felt more like defusing a bomb than pausing my movie.
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Pairing the new one is easy. Long press the power button and hold it near your existing Apple TV. That’s all.
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Speaking of the power button, this is an obvious addition. I had to train my family how to turn off the TV with the old remote. Now they just press power.
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The same goes for the mute button.
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There still is a trackpad on the remote, but it is fenced in with the throwback iPod scroll wheel should eliminate accidental presses.
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The scroll wheel actually scrubs your movie. This is so much better (and more accurate) than swiping the trackpad on the old one.
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Overall, just yes.
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Now I need to order a second one for the bedroom TV. There is no way I can go back after just 30 minutes with this new one.