October 30 is a good day to talk about. Probably because it is on this day that the first consoles will be delivered to their owners. And if we were familiar with most of the capabilities of Apple TV from previous models, then we are just getting acquainted with tvOS and applications. This is especially true for games.
They spent a lot of time at the September presentation. Multiplayer in , games similar to sports simulators Wii, Asphalt, etc. But if we talk about Apple TV as a full-fledged game console, then a reasonable question arises. What is the joystick?
The answer is obvious at first glance - we have a new Siri Remote, which resembles a Wii controller and even has a touch pad. But for multiplayer we need two joysticks, and Apple TV does not support connecting two remote controls at once. This means you will have to buy third-party controllers that the Apple console supports. Does this mean that without purchasing a third-party joystick you will be left without games? No, a prerequisite for applications on tvOS is support for the native remote control. It is not yet clear how the two types of controls will coexist (after all, a third-party controller has more buttons, triggers, etc.), but you definitely won’t be left without games.
If you have a joystick for iOS lying around somewhere, it will work for . Good news. But what’s even more interesting is the fact that iPhone and iPad can also act as controllers! If this is provided in the game itself. Similar technology has already been used before - FIFA had support for the iPhone as an additional controller. It cannot be said that the gadget’s screen can fully replace a physical joystick, but the increased area of the touchscreen can be used for interesting gaming solutions. It's up to the developers here.
Important note! If you can’t find the remote control, but you have a joystick in your hands, then you can also control Apple TV through it. But Siri doesn’t work, so in the final version you will need to find a native remote. In addition to the voice assistant, there is another significant difference between the remote control and the controller - the accelerometer. That's why it's interesting to play Asphalt on Siri Remote. And yes, if any of the developers wanted to make an alternative Wii Remote for Apple TV, it won’t work.
And lastly, regarding third-party controllers, you can connect no more than two at a time. Let's add a remote control and get a disappointing result - you can't play with four people. You can find out whether a third-party joystick works with the selected game under the application description.
A few more words for those who want to know how Siri Remote will work in games. In addition to the touchpad, you can use two more buttons - Menu and Play/Pause. In most cases, they are responsible for stopping the game and additional functionality. Third-party controllers have the opportunity to use all their buttons, but whether developers take advantage of this is up to them.
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Designed to work with Apple technology, the Steelseries Nimbus gamepad meets all the highest requirements of the American manufacturer. The first thing that catches your eye is the carefully crafted case made of durable plastic - the design of this model is made in the style of the most modern gamepads for game consoles. Created according to all the laws of ergonomics, the device fits perfectly in your hands and does not slip out during use, and each key ends up exactly in the place where your finger reflexively points.
The controller has two joysticks, a cross-pad, four triggers at the top and four classic action keys - such an impressive set allows you to adapt almost any game to control from the controller. Developers take full advantage of this: at the moment, the list of supported applications already includes several hundred projects, and this figure is constantly growing!
Acquainted with full list compatible programs are available through the special Nimbus Companion App (available in versions for iOS and tvOS). Also, the proprietary utility allows you to search for games by name, rating, genre and other parameters. You can also view the ratings here best games, which is especially important with the ever-growing amount of software. The download takes place from the official AppStore - and if the user has already purchased a game for his mobile gadget, then he can download the version for Apple TV for free! In addition, the application allows you to update the gamepad firmware on time and receive customer support in the Help section.
It is worth noting that the possibilities for using the Steelseries Nimbus do not end with games. Thanks to the presence of a separate Menu button, the controller successfully replaces the original Siri Remote in controlling Apple TV! This will be especially appreciated by users who prefer to reduce the number of auxiliary devices in their apartment to a minimum.
To connect a gamepad to Apple TV or mobile device The modern wireless interface Bluetooth 4.1 is used. The connection process is simple and intuitive, and the communication range reaches 10 m - so you can comfortably sit on the sofa in front of the TV, even if it is at the other end of the room.
The device is powered by a built-in 820 mAh battery. This is enough for 40 hours of active use of the controller - and this is even more than the PS4 and Xbox One! A standard Lightning connector is used for charging, so you can use not only a proprietary cable, but also a power adapter from an iPhone, iPad or iPod. Naturally, you can play with the gamepad while charging.
Type: wireless gamepad
Compatible devices: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later (including iPad Air, iPad Mini, iPad PRO families), iPod Touch 6, Apple TV 4th generation
Compatible Software: Nimbus Companion App
Supported operating systems: iOS 7.0 and later, tvOS 9.0 and later
Connection interface: wireless, Bluetooth 4.1
Communication range: up to 10 m
Controller charging connector: Lightning
Dimensions: 150 x 110 x 63.2 mm
Weight: 225 g
Package dimensions: 190 x 160 x 90 mm
Package weight: 450 g
Country of origin: Denmark
Country of origin: China
Creators of games for Apple TV need to implement support for the standard Apple TV remote, according to Apple requirements published on the website for developers. The user does not have to purchase a special game controller to use game projects for tvOS.
The fourth generation Apple TV was released along with the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus smartphones, as well as the new iPad Pro and iPad mini 4 tablets. The set-top box is equipped with an A8 processor with 64-bit architecture, 32/64 GB of flash memory, and a Wi-Fi 802.11ac adapter with MIMO technology, Bluetooth 4.0 controller, HDMI 1.4 and USB-C interfaces, IR receiver and 10/100 Ethernet network controller. The kit includes a remote control with a touch panel, accelerometer and gyroscope.
The set-top box allows you not only to watch TV channels, but also to install various applications from App Store and play games on the TV. Apple today released a list of requirements for gaming apps for Apple TV. By default, each game should support control using a standard remote control, which is equipped with motion sensors and a touchpad. More for Angry Birds or Crossy Road is not required, but replacing a gamepad in shooters, platformers and MMORPGs will be very difficult.
- Your game must support the Apple TV remote. The user does not have to purchase additional controllers.
- tvOS games that support controllers must support the advanced control pattern.
- Games should support simple controllers. If you support dedicated controllers, the game should work without them.
- Games should support a Pause button. All controllers have a Pause button. During the game she must stop game process. At moments when the player is not playing, for example when navigating through the menu, the “Pause” button returns to the previous screen.
Manufacturers are already working on third-party controllers for Apple TV, the first one was announced by SteelSeries. The manipulator, called Nimbus, is equipped with pressure-sensitive buttons, a set of gaming controls and a menu access button. Data exchange is carried out via Bluetooth 4.0, and the stated time battery life on one battery charge reaches 40 hours.
Apple emphasizes that third-party controllers are only an addition to the Apple TV; any game can be played using a standard remote control with a touch panel. If the developers of a particular tvOS game cannot solve the problem with control on Apple TV without a controller, they will not be able to transfer their project to the new platform.
In addition to the remote control remote control If you wish, you can “command” Apple TV with your voice - the Siri voice assistant is included in tvOS. The new product will be available for purchase in October at a price of $149 for the 32 GB version and $199 for the modification with 64 GB of memory.
Or are you planning to do so, you are probably interested in what useful accessories exist for the Apple TV set-top box and which of them deserve your attention.
Game controllers
Apple TV 4 has support for the App Store, which means you can play games on the big screen. The controls in each of them are different, and the standard remote control will not always be best choice. Fortunately, the console works with third-party gamepads, so there are plenty to choose from.
SteelSeries Nimbus
- Apple TV control buttons.
- Bluetooth 4.1.
- 40 hours of battery life.
SteelSeries Stratus
- The usual “console” form.
- Black and white colors.
- Available in two sizes.
- 10 hours of battery life.
HORI HORIPAD
- Two analog sticks and 8 buttons.
- USB cable included.
- Up to 20 hours of battery life.
Mad Catz C.T.R.L.i
- Companion app.
- Customizable iPhone holder.
- Up to 40 hours of operation on AAA batteries.
Guitar Guitar Hero Live
- iPad and iPhone support.
- Bluetooth connection.
- Operates on regular AA batteries.
Keyboards
You can, of course, dictate text to Siri directly from the remote, but it's much more convenient to type it on an actual physical keyboard. Apple TV 4 is expected to work with Bluetooth keyboards at launch or shortly thereafter.
Anker Bluetooth Ultra-Slim
- Low profile keys.
- 3 months of operation on AAA batteries.
Logitech K480
- Device switcher.
- Slot for iPad and iPhone.
Logitech K810
- Possibility of connecting up to 3 devices.
- Backlit keys.
- Aluminium case.
Apple Magic Keyboard
- New design.
- Charging via Lightning cable.
- 1 month battery life.
Useful features for the remote control
Siri Remote is charged using the included cable, but it is more convenient to do this using a special dock. To prevent the remote control from falling out of your hands during active gaming, a strap will come in handy, and to prevent it from getting lost in the folds of the sofa, a beautiful table stand.
