You're probably in the minority with that opinion. Apple UX is wildly renowned for being great and Apple TV is no worse than any of the competitors. The TV input interface is just awkward in general but being able to use an iPhone to automatically fill in passwords, authenticate purchases, or just use as a second remote is smooth as butter. It's another example of how Apple products are better together within the ecosystem. But even if you don't have an iPhone, the newest remote is extremely good. One of the best products they've made in recent years.
The Apple UX on all devices lacks discoverability which annoys me to no end.
I can use my phone to fill in passwords and as a second remote on my Roku TV without needing to be locked in to the eco system of a single vendor. Haven't used the current remote but the previous one was an atrocity.
The only hidden gestures left on ATV4K are tap-tap home to show carousel of recent apps, and swipe up to force quit (same as iPhone gestures on iPhones or iPods w/ a home button). Everything else in ATV UI is giant buttons on screen, real buttons on remote.
> use my phone to fill in passwords
Also, 1Password (among others including keychain) works great on ATV, and happily fills in passwords for, e.g., HBO+, from your laptop logins. Any input field, you can input from another device and 1Password into those on the device which inputs it on ATV.
>Yet Apple devices are usable and enjoyed by both young techies and old grandparents and all groups in between.
And many of them don't know the features they could be using and enjoying but aren't because they aren't discoverable.
>I can use my phone to fill in passwords and as a second remote on my Roku TV
>Mind explaining how?
The Roku app allows you to fill passwords via your phone and use the phone as a remote for your Roku. I can also use Roku's private listening feature to redirect its audio to my phone allowing me to listen using the headphones connected to my phone. Roku also has a remote available with a wired headphone jack which automatically redirects the audio to it when headphones are connected to the jack.
For comparison, you can access the remote from anywhere within iOS by opening Control Center and a notification with a text field automatically appears when there is a text input on the Apple TV or you need to authenticate with Face ID. No app required. You can also output audio to AirPods and it prompts you automatically if you are watching something and you put them in your ears. Works seamlessly. Is this lock in or is this 1+1=3?
