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Apple to bring Bluetooth to Apple TV with iOS 5. App support coming, too?

By | July 14, 2011, 5:33am PDT

Summary: Apple TV’s diminutive remote may be stylish, but it doesn’t make it easy to search for movies to watch. But some sleuthing into iOS 5’s code has revealed that such pecking could become less necessary, as it appears that support for Bluetooth devices is coming to the Apple TV with the latest update to its [...]

Apple TV’s diminutive remote may be stylish, but it doesn’t make it easy to search for movies to watch. But some sleuthing into iOS 5’s code has revealed that such pecking could become less necessary, as it appears that support for Bluetooth devices is coming to the Apple TV with the latest update to its software.

According to 9to5Mac, the code specifically refers to pairing the Apple Wireless Keyboard to Apple TV via Bluetooth. Not only would this be a boon to those of us (cough, cough) who don’t revel in using Netflix with the current remote, but it also could mean support for other Bluetooth peripherals.

And then it doesn’t take much of a stretch to surmise that support for Bluetooth controllers would make it easier to run apps on Apple TV. App support has been long rumored for the media streamer, but this could finally be a sign that Apple is ready to deliver. Pair a Bluetooth game controller with the Apple TV, and you have a makeshift gaming console that generally could beat the iPhone/iPad gaming experience and provide some competition to Nintendo and Sony.

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Sean Portnoy is a freelance technology journalist.

Disclosure

Sean Portnoy

Sean Portnoy is a freelance technology journalist; currently, all work that Sean does is on a contractural basis. Sean has also written corporate communications documents for CA.

Sean does not accept gifts from companies he covers. All hardware products he writes about are purchased with his own funds or are review units covered under formal loan agreements and are returned after the review is complete.

Biography

Sean Portnoy

Sean Portnoy started his tech writing career at ZDNet nearly a decade ago. He then spent several years as an editor at Computer Shopper magazine, most recently serving as online executive editor. He received a B.A. from Brown University and an M.A. from the University of Southern California.

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RE: Apple to bring Bluetooth to Apple TV with iOS 5. App support coming, too?
non-biased 19th Jul
Once they open ATV up to apps is when I will jump on it.
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apple remote app already works well
RealChrisFranks 14th Jul
While I think the keyboard ability is a "nice to have", I would assume that most Apple TV owners have at least one other iOS device in the house. If so, the Apple Remote app already allows you to enter text using its on-screen keyboard. This works extremely well from the iPad especially. I use it all of the time when searching for Netflix movies happy
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iPhone/iPad = Remote for AppleTV
betelgeuse68 14th Jul
I use my iPhone for keyboard functions. Don't have an iPhone? Then use an iPad. The Apple Remote software rocks.

-M

PS: Don't have either? Then why do you have an AppleTV? wink
I think bluetooth is being added for a new remote, not a keyboard. The remote that comes with the current ATV will not be sufficient once it's opened up to developers for apps. Requiring everyone to have an iPad or iPhone isn't the answer. Having a remote that is designed for ATV that runs games and other apps is the answer. Guess what, it will probably need to connect via bluetooth.
Once they open ATV up to apps is when I will jump on it.

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