Unboxing the 4th generation Apple TV retail version: The new Siri remote control is a great experience

Since its release in September, we have known that this revamped new product will play a greater role in consumers' living rooms. In addition to traditional audio and video entertainment functions, the 4th generation Apple TV retail version also adds the intelligent voice assistant Siri, a new remote control with touch and voice input, and more support for game content.

Judging from the packaging box, the retail version of the 4th generation Apple TV is roughly the same as the previous generation, except that the height has obviously increased a lot.

After opening the top cover, the machine and the new remote control come into view.

Product family photo: includes the host, instruction manual, power cord, new remote control, and a Lighting data cable (can be used to charge the remote control).

The interfaces on the back of the device have also been adjusted, especially the addition of a new USB Type-C port, as well as AC power input, HDMI video output, and a Gigabit Ethernet port.

Unfortunately, the 4th generation Apple TV has dropped support for optical audio output.

The button design of the new remote control is still simple, providing volume adjustment, play/pause, menu, and Siri buttons, and a large touch area is reserved on the top.

Lighitng charging port at the bottom of the remote control.

It is worth mentioning that despite the high starting price of $149, the new Apple TV still does not come with an HDMI cable. What is new is that the 4th generation Apple TV did not forget to prepare a Lighting charging cable for the remote control.

While most users likely already own a separate HDMI cable, it seems like a strange omission for a company as big and user-friendly as Apple.

The Bluetooth remote control for the 4th generation Apple TV also supports voice input (Siri voice control).

The new Apple TV is very easy to set up. Once powered on, the Siri Remote should automatically pair when you click the trackpad. It also supports manual pairing, where you just need to hold down a specific button combination.

The microphone opening on the top of the remote control.

To speed up the setup process, Apple has also mixed in other Apple devices. For example, the system will suggest that users turn on the Bluetooth switch on their iPhone and bring it close to the Apple TV to transmit setup information including Wi-Fi and iCloud accounts.

During the installation process, Apple TV will prompt users to agree to certain options, such as address location information, sending diagnostic information to Apple and developers, and terms of service.

As for the new "Sky Scenery" screen saver, users can also choose whether to allow it to automatically download content updates.

During the hands-on process, we found that the Siri Remote was very responsive and the physical buttons felt very comfortable. For more experience and comprehensive review of the new Apple TV, please stay tuned for our follow-up reports.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.