The new Apple TV and Siri Remote both started shipping yesterday, all the reviews have come out too, including the new iMac and iPad Pro. Various questions have arisen about the new Siri Remote lacking the U1 chip, or the ability to be included in the Find My network.

The new remote is a massive improvement over the old one, with a clickable d-pad now, dedicated mute button, proper back button without the Menu logo and the Siri button moved to the right hand side of the remote, like your iPhone. However, MobileSyrup spoke to Apple VP Tim Twerdahl about the new remote and the lack of integration into the new Find My network.

Q: Was there ever any thought to adding some sort of AirTag-like technology in the Siri remote? I’m always losing the remote in my couch cushions and it seems like it would be a great idea. Did Apple not bother because the ‘Find My’ network is more designed for use outside of the home?

Twerdahl: We are super excited about AirTags and what we’re doing with U1, and part of that power is the Find My network and the fact that we can leverage a billion devices around the world to help you find stuff. To your point, that is the most powerful out of the home. With the changes we’ve made to the Siri Remote — including making it a bit thicker so it won’t fall in your couch cushions as much — that need to have all these other network devices find it seems a little bit lower.

The new remote is certainly thicker than the old model, which should make it much less likely to be lost, but people have kids and kids move things. But we’ll see what feedback people have in the community about the new remote in the months to come.

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