Apple TV Software Update 2.3

By Ricky Buchanan • November 21, 2008

The software which runs the Apple TV device has now been updated to version 2.3. This most recent upgrade includes several improvements and bug fixes. The most important improvement from an accessibility point of view is the Apple TV has now introduced support for third party remote controls.

The remote control used by the Apple TV is the same as the one which comes with most new Mac computers purchased. It has six buttons - play/pause, volume up, volume down, forward, back, and menu. The buttons are arranged in a configuration similar to the iPod’s controls, with a circular play/pause button surrounded by a “ring” control. The ring shaped button functions as volume up when pressed at the top, volume down at the bottom, and forward/back are on the right and left respectively. The menu button is a separate, smaller, circle below this control. It’s not a button set-up most people will be used to, and each button is fairly small so a fair amount of fine motor control is needed to use it.

An Apple remote control

With the new Apple TV software supporting third party remotes, Apple TV users can now use other remotes which are more accessible. Some more accessible remote controls include:

Tek Pal Remote Control with oversized buttons for those with less fine motor control.
Surfboard Voice Activated Remote can be used completely hands-free when plugged in, and can be set to recognise speech in any accent and any language.

Mac|Life has a great how-to article for how to set up the Apple TV for any remote control.

Website: How to update Apple TV software

- Ricky Buchanan

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Categories: Apple TV, Environmental control, Mobility Impaired, Supporters, Users
Tags: apple, apple tv, appletv, remote control, third party remote control

About the Author

Ricky Buchanan

Ricky Buchanan is 33 years old and the founder and main writer for ATMac. She's bedridden with severe CFS/ME or perhaps a primary mitochondrial disorder - the doctors are not sure. When she's not working on ATMac or her other websitse she composes music, listens to audio books, does other disability advocacy, watches TV with her flatmate, and enjoys her cat.

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