The new Apple TV 4K fixes its most controversial feature

Apple has announced a new version of its set-top box, the Apple TV 4K, featuring a faster processor, and more importantly, an all-new remote.

The previous Apple TV remote is divisive, to say the least. It's hard to know whether you're holding it the right way, and the swipe pad is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of feature. The new remote is a lot more traditional. Instead of a swipe pad, it has a five-way touch controller. You can still swipe if you want to, but you can also click it for more precession. The remote itself is thicker than the previous model, and the Siri button has been moved to the side of the remote. Apple also added a power button that will turn off your TV.

Other than a new remote, the Apple TV 4K isn't too different from its predecessor. The box itself looks the same, but there's a faster A12 Bionic processor inside. This makes the new Apple TV 4K fast enough to play HDR video at 60fps. There's also a new feature that will help you calibrate your TV screen colours using the light sensor of your iPhone.

The new Apple TV 4K will set you back $249 for a 32GB model or $279 for a 64GB model. Pre-orders start on April 30 ahead of a release in the second half of May. If you've already got an Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K you're happy with but want the new remote, you'll be able to order it separately for $79.

Alex Choros

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Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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