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.
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.
- Invoca 3.0 Voice-Activated Remote
can be used completely hands-free, 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.
- Ricky Buchanan
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