While the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is generally quiet in terms of announcements given the massive holiday period observed around the world, companies are not yet at a standstill and continue to work in the area. ‘shadow. This is the case with Apple who has just filed a patent about the remote control of his Apple TV both mysterious and interesting.
Just a few months after renewing his multimedia box and in the process evolves its remote control, here is that the giant with the apple still seeks to make evolve its remote control. As a reminder if you have not followed this episode, during the year Apple has finally renewed its Apple TV 4K with as main evolutions, a new chip A12 bionic and a brand new remote control. Indeed, with this new version Apple has decided to end the touchpad of its remote control to offer a new button “clickpad”Which combines both a tactile surface and buttons both associated with gestures for greater precision and navigation comfort.
A touch ID on the Apple TV remote?
After appearing on l’iPhone then on macbook pro, now Apple would like to endow the remote control of its Apple TV with a touch ID. This is in any case what describes the new utility patent filed by the mark this week which describes it as a “remote control covering TV, home appliances, doors, appliances and more”With biometric authentication.
An electronic device with at least one operational parameter such as the power parameter, with at least a first state and at least a second state. The electronic device can also include an access controller that can receive status and authorization data from an external source such as a remote control. The access controller may activate an operational parameter state upon receipt of appropriate authorization data received or associated with the output of at least one biometric sensor associated with the remote control.
Extract from the new patent filed by Apple reported by patentlyapple.com
Do not pay attention to the meaning of sentences which as always in patents are ambiguous. One way not to reveal too much while allowing some leeway. There is no indication for the time being that the next Apple TV remote control will necessarily be equipped with a biometric sensor. The brand files hundreds of patents each year without all seeing the light of day, but several uses could make such a button on the remote control useful.
Several uses considered including the connected home
We think first of in-app purchases or VOD services in the first place, but it can also be a handy function for the parental control of the TV or ink the piloting of the connected home. Let us not forget that theApple TV to a role of controller for home automation HomeKit in a house. An interesting idea therefore to control the connected home while attesting to his person for secure home automation functions.
From my point of view, I still expect a noticeable improvement in the environment Apple home automation which is still a little too messy for my taste compared to what is done with others. With its deep involvement in the new unified standard for the connected home, let’s hope that Apple reviews its copy and offers a more successful and flexible version of its home automation system to attract as many people as possible. To be continued, we will be sure to give you more information on the subject when it emerges.
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