Apple Remote App Updated To Allow Control Of Internet Radio, Video Rentals, And More
December 23, 2010
Apple apparently seems to feel they shouldn't be the only one not jumping in on the holiday updating of iOS apps. The Apple Remote app gains even more AirPlay support, enhances some previous streaming abilities, and now includes control for Internet radio stations.
I'm going to begin by asking, where did that come from all of a sudden? What I mean is, why did Apple suddenly decide to throw in Internet radio remote control after all this time? It's a nice addition, but we've had online radio offerings in iTunes for years already. No matter where the ambition came from, you can now switch from your iTunes library jams to the randomness of new content of Internet radio stations streaming to your Apple TV or Airport Express with just a few taps on your iDevice.
Back when the Remote app went universal, users had the opportunity to control their sleek next generation Apple TVs from possibly anywhere in their home. However, Remote v2.0 included only AirTunes like support, which allowed audio streaming but no video to remote devices. Remote v2.1 brings true AirPlay support by allowing you to seamlessly stream video content from your Mac or PC running iTunes to your snazzy little Apple TV.
Apple's latest iTunes Store terms and conditions restrict the transfer of rented content from one device to another, but only for iPhone 4, iPad, 4G iPod touch, latest Apple TV, and iTunes 10. That's sort of a bummer for those who've really come to enjoy Apple's rentable offerings.
Remote v2.1 now allows you to start and control rented content. This seems an obvious step since you could control your own converted and imported movies and video, and even iTunes purchased movies, television shows, and music videos from the Remote app for some time now.
There is something for us non-renters and those who haven't furnished their entertainment setups with the Apple TV. Apple has improved the connection and re-establishing of the connection to your iTunes equipped computer or Apple TV. I, for one, have experience the occasional issues of the Remote app claiming my iTunes Library is unavailable. From my brief use of v2.1, I can say that Apple's claims so far hold true.
That's it for now. Go grab your free copy of Apple's Remote app from the App Store now, if you haven't already.