When you’re using it, it’s fine. No complaints. But any time you’re not using it, it feels like a ticking time bomb waiting to mess up your show.
I'm one of those people who likes to select the text they're reading - or at least the first line or so of the paragraph I'm in. It helps me not lose track of where I am.
However, that means I'm often continuously selecting/double-clicking lines of text in an article. Unfortunately, some websites now show a popover menu next to text you select, e.g. to tweet that line of text. That popover menu often obscures the text I'm reading.
That's something that would go completely unnoticed when the design is tested on people that simply scroll down while they're reading.
I don't understand what problem the developers were trying to solve with that feature/bug.
A bit of rubber on the lower half so could feel up from down would be my only change.
I use an HD HomeRun and the app Channels to watch local antenna TV via the Apple TV, so no need for channel buttons.
I do wish that the Apple TV volume buttons worked without HDMI-CEC so I could use those to control the volume when playing games. That and the occasional need for the Input button are the only reasons I keep the TV remote handy.
The way I did fix it is that I put some ugly tape on the bottom of the remote.
Pretty sure Steve or Jony would hate to see what I ave did to their beautiful remote :-), But at least now I know how I am holding it with looking at it.
And I disagree that they're "completely" undiscoverable... if you rest your thumb on the remote, skip forward/back glyphs appear on-screen and indicate the functionality if you were to click.
It has one major issue in that it's symmetrical and you sometimes pick it up the wrong way.
But other than that I love it. The touchpad is great with the Apple TV, especially once you figure out that you can single-tap the edges like a D-Pad for precision.
It lays flat, so you can tap the play/pause button on your coffee table rather than picking up the remote.
There are just enough buttons for the Apple TV functions, all of which are big and easy to press and work with a satisfying click. No mushy rubber.
I wouldn't want a game controller designed with the same sensibilities. That's something you're holding for hours at a time and needs to be designed for your hand.
But I don't need a "comfortable" cable remote. I'll take the nice objet d'art.