Apple TV tvOS 14.5 Beta Code Reveals New Universal Remote; Center Wheel Revealed For Apple TV Remote

On Wednesday, March 31, Apple released Beta 6 of its upcoming tvOS 1.4.5 update, and it contains code strings that suggest a new Apple TV remote might be in the works. A center wheel will be part of the remote, and there will be a universal remote. What will these new remotes do and offer for TVs?.

Apple TvOs 14.5 code reveals new remote design

As reported by AppleInsider, Apple released the sixth beta of its upcoming tvOS 14.5 updates. This, according to iOS developer Steve Moser, includes code strings that suggest an updated Apple TV remote may be on the way.

There is a set-up code in the latest beta that asks the user to "press the center button or the touch surface to continue." The center button is not present on the current Apple TV remote.

In the fifth beta of tvOS 14.5, Apple replaced Siri with "Apple TV Remote" across the operating system. Furthermore, the beta included references to a "Gen3 Apple TV remote."

The company is working on a next-generation Apple TV device with a refreshed remote and other improvements. Additionally, it could sport a new chipset and offer enhanced gaming features.

A Universal Apple Tv Remote

Apple has been rumoured to be working on a new Apple TV Remote for some time, and earlier today, more evidence was discovered that Apple is developing one. 9to5Mac has directly obtained screenshots for the new Apple TV Remote, internally known as B519.

As you can see in the highlighted image, this alternative Remote will differ significantly from the Siri Remote, which has an ultra-thin design made from aluminium and glass, little buttons, and a touch screen.

According to reports, the Universal Remote will include more buttons and a navigation wheel similar to the first Apple TV Remote.

For instance, there are new buttons for channel skipping, muting the TV, opening the channel guide, and turning on or off the television. The new remote also appears much larger than the Siri Remote included with current generations of Apple TV.

Despite being a new Remote being developed by Apple, it may not replace the Siri Remote. 9to5Mac reports that Apple is developing an Apple TV Remote for cable company customers.

The Siri Remote could be included in the box of Apple TV, but Apple will also supply an alternative for cable companies selling Apple TV to their customers.

Also, Apple has been updating the tvOS 14.5 codes with references to a new Universal Remote with a "center button." Presumably, Apple's new Universal Remote is being developed by a third party and available within the next few weeks.

This also speculates the next-generation Apple TV on hold since it was assumed that a new Remote would be related to a new Apple TV, which is not apparent.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Lionell Moore