GoKawiilApple TV Finally Gains Remote Finder Feature via tvOS 17, Fulfilling Old Wishlist
A CNET writer recalls a 2017 article listing seven improvements he wanted for the Apple TV, noting that Apple has since delivered six of them, including an Amazon Video app and 4K support. The final item, a way to locate a lost remote, arrived in 2023 through tvOS 17's Find My integration, though the writer still prefers Roku's earlier 2015 version of the feature.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The slow rollout illustrates how long-standing consumer feedback can eventually shape hardware design, even for a company as deliberate as Apple. It also highlights that Apple TV still lacks certain features, like optical audio output, showing the platform's evolution remains incomplete compared to rivals like Roku.
- Apple has implemented six of seven improvements requested for Apple TV since 2017.
- A remote finder feature was added via tvOS 17 in 2023, years after Roku offered similar functionality.
- Optical audio output remains an unmet request for the Apple TV.
Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi, latest generation) — The streamer the article grew up with, now far more capable than the 2015 and 2017 boxes the writer reviewed. It pairs the Siri Remote with tvOS, AirPlay and Apple's app ecosystem, making it a tidy hub for the living room setup.
See Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi, latest generation) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — Patrick Holland, 2026-08-24
Published there as: “It Took Apple 8 Years to Listen to Me and Add This Killer Feature to the Apple TV”
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