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Apple TV 4 comes with the revolutionary Siri Remote. The remote, constructed out of glass, is fragile and can break upon impact. This article presents ways to protect the Siri Remote.
The Siri remote is one of my favorite features of the new Apple TV 4. I use Siri to launch apps, change settings and search for movies and TV shows. With its accelerometer and gyroscope, the Siri Remote is an excellent gaming controller. Racing games, such as Asphalt 8, are so intuitive and easy to play using the Siri Remote as a virtual steering wheel. The Siri Remote sets Apple TV 4 apart from its competitors. Other TV appliances offer voice control remotes. Only the Siri remote offers a Touchpad, gyroscope and accelerometer. It’s about as smart as a TV remote can be.
The Siri Remote has an Achilles’ heel. It is constructed out of glass, making it fragile. Unlucky Apple TV 4 owners have dropped their remote, shattering the glass, and rendering it unusable. A replacement costs $79, which is more than half the price of new Apple TV 4. The fragility and cost of the Siri Remote is upsetting to many customers. The device gets very poor ratings on Apple’s site, mainly from customers who have dropped and shattered the remote.
When I first heard about this issue, I was upset. Why would Apple make a TV remote out of glass? There’s a good reason for the Siri Remote’s glass construction. The Touchpad is made out of glass. It’s the only material that can provide excellent and smooth tracking. The rest of the remote’s front face is constructed out of glass to give it a uniform appearance. Other Apple touch surfaces, such as the Magic Trackpad and touch surfaces on MacBooks are also made out of glass. If you drop a Magic Trackpad, it may also shatter. Although the Siri Remote is fragile, with proper care and accessories, one can prevent accidental damage.
Handle the Remote Carefully
It seems a bit obvious to tell readers to handle the Siri Remote carefully. There are specific practices one can employ to keep the remote safe. It’s important to treat the Siri Remote like it is a smartphone, and not a TV remote. This simple attitude adjustment can save you $79 and a lot of frustration.
When you are not using the Siri Remote, put it in a safe place. I always put my Siri Remote in a cabinet in my AV center. This ensures it can’t slip off a table or the sofa when I am not using it.
Placing the Siri Remote on my sofa when I am using it seems to help avoid accidents. I put it all the way towards the back of the sofa cushion, so it can’t fall off easily.
When using the remote, don’t hold it out and point it at your Apple TV. This behavior will increase the likelihood of dropping the remote. The Siri Remote communicates with Apple TV using Bluetooth. There’s no need to point it at your Apple TV 4 unit. I don’t even pick it up off the sofa, unless I need to do a sensitive operation, such as scrubbing through a video. When I do pick it up, I make sure it is close to my body. If I drop it, it will just fall in my lap. If you have an older TV, you may need to point the remote at your TV in order to turn it on or adjust the volume. Try to keep the remote close to your body. Don’t extend your arm when pointing the remote at your TV.
Never leave the Siri Remote in your lap. You may forget it is there, stand up, and drop the remote. I have read about quite a few people who have done this.
Food and TV often go together. People often enjoy buttered pop corn or other foods while watching TV. Your Siri Remote can easily slip out of greasy hands. The remote is very smooth, unlike most plastic TV remotes. Always make sure to wipe off or wash greasy hands before handling the Siri Remote.
It’s also a good idea to protect your Siri Remote from liquids. The Siri Remote is not waterproof. Exposure to liquids can corrode and damage internal components. It’s always a good idea to place drinks away from the Siri Remote. If your Siri Remote has come in contact with water, wipe it off immediately. The same techniques for dealing with a wet iPhone apply to the Siri Remote. For more information, please read “How to Fix a Wet iPhone”. (continue…)