The New Apple TV Remote Packs A Touch Surface, Microphone And Motion Sensors

Apple just unveiled the new Apple TV, and it will come with a brand-new remote featuring a slew of new sensors and buttons.

The top half of the remote is a glass surface, allowing users to swipe through Apple TV’s interface, or use it to fast forward and rewind through video. The device will also have a built-in microphone and dedicated Siri button, which can be used to enable Apple TV’s new voice search functionality.

The remote will work over Bluetooth 4.0, meaning you won’t need a direct line of sight between the remote and the Apple TV. The new device will be rechargeable, but will last up to three months per charge.

Apple also threw in accelerometer and gyroscope sensors, which can be used to control games built for the Apple TV. In an on-stage demo, Harmonix showed off Beats Sports, which lets users use the remote as a baseball bat, along the lines of the original Wii Sports.

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