Remote 1.3 update

(Updated with feature information) Apple is now distributing an update to the Remote iPhone app, bringing it to version 1.3. The app lets users control music playback on a computer or Apple TV, whether through basic play, pause, skip and shuffle commands, or the creation of custom playlists. Users can additionally control speakers connected through AirTunes.

The v1.3 update lets users control an Apple TV with "simple finger gestures," though the nature of the gestures is not specified. Use of the feature also requires the iPhone 3.0 firmware. Matching the new version of Remote is updated Apple TV software, upgraded to version 2.4. Apple has yet to elaborate on any other changes v2.4 might bring.

Update: Remote users can now flick or swipe a finger to control the Apple TV's on-screen selector, and tap "Menu" or "Options" to jump to the appropriate interface. Holding down the Menu button returns a user to the Main Menu. Apple TV 2.4 has meanwhile introduced improved transport and chapter modes, with the ability to rewind or fast-forward at different speeds depending on the number of clicks.

The firmware further enables searching through Flickr photos using tags, whether for the sake of browsing or adding images to a screensaver. New movie views let users sort by genre, title or unwatched status. Podcasts and TV shows, similarly, can be sorted by show, date or unwatched status.

by MacNN Staff