Sirimote
The new Apple TV includes a beautiful, redesigned remote with touchpad functionality that allows for incredibly precise controls. In addition to using it on your TV, a new software called SiriMote will allow you to use it to control your Mac too.
I use Siri Remote for Parallels Desktop in Macbook via a app named BetterTouchTool, and it works perfect, I use Siri Remote to control software for Windows under Parallels Desktop, but I haven't got the chance to test Siri Remote pair to a windows machine cause I don't have a windows PC with a bluetooth module. Most notably, SiriMote 1.2 lets you put your Mac (or its display) to sleep using your remote. It’s a little larger than usual, because I figured you’d like to be able to read it from afar. It then lets you choose between putting only your Mac’s display to sleep or the entire system. You can wake your Mac’s display again with any button.
How it Works
SiriMote lets you control any applications on Mac that play media, such as iTunes, Spotify, QuickTime, Keynote, Photos (Slideshows), and many more. Unfortunately, it only works with the buttons on the remote the touchpad itself won’t control your Mac. For example, you can click the main button for next track and the Menu button for previous track. Holding these buttons fast forwards and rewinds respectively. And of course the volume up/down buttons and the play/pause button function correctly on Mac.
System Requirements
SiriMote requires a Mac running Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan. The Mac must also have Bluetooth 4.0. The following models include Bluetooth 4.0:
- MacBook Pro (2012 or Later)
- MacBook Air (2011 or Later)
- iMac (2012 or Later)
- Mac Pro (2013 or Later)
- Mac Mini (2011 or Later)
How to Install Siri Remote
First, Click Here to visit the SiriMote website and download the application (it’s free!). Open the downloaded file and follow the installation instructions. You may have to right click the file and click Open if it gives you an unidentified developer error.
Once you’ve installed SiriMote, be sure to unplug your AppleTV to prevent Siri Remote from automatically pairing with it / turning it on.
Next, you’ll need to pair the Siri Remote with your Mac via Bluetooth. Open System Preferences > Bluetooth. On Siri Remote, press and hold the Menu and Volume Up buttons for about 5 seconds. You should see the device appear on the Mac. Click Pair to pair the remote.
Re-pairing with Apple TV
If you want to pair the Siri Remote with Apple TV again later, you’ll need to unpair it from your Mac by clicking the X next to the remote in System Preferences > Bluetooth. Now plug the Apple TV in again. Siri Remote should automatically repair to the TV, but if it doesn’t you can hold the Menu and Volume Up button to pair.
Apart from pairing the Remote with your Mac to test Apple TV apps running in Xcode’s Simulator, the Remote is not of much use on the Mac.
That’s where SiriMote comes into play: It enables you to use the Apple TV Siri Remote with all sorts of applications.
Using SiriMote
SiriMote requires you to pair your Apple TV Siri Remote with your Mac.
Once finished with pairing (detailed instructions are shown in the app), you’re ready to go.
Aside from controlling your Mac’s system volume with the Remote, you can now use it to control:
iTunes
Play/Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind, Next Track, Previous Track
Keynote
Next Slide, Previous Slide
QuickTime
Play/Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind
VLC
Play/Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind, Next Track, Previous Track
… as well as many other applications. How? Keep reading ;)
Pricing and Availability
SiriMote is a free download from my website. OS X El Capitan 10.11 and a Mac with Bluetooth 4.0 is required.
I decided to make it a free app as I’m uncertain as to how long the app will be needed.
I suspect at some point, Apple might actually implement this functionality right into the OS.
If you like the app, though, I’d love for you to take a look at my other applications – thank you :)
How it Works
SiriMote translates remote buttons into media key presses of your Mac’s keyboard. For example, when you press Volume Up on the Siri Remote, the app will translate that into the Volume Up key on your keyboard and send it to the system.
Likewise, it translates the Play/Pause button on the Remote to the Play/Pause media key on your Mac’s keyboard and sends that to the system.
That enables your Remote to interact with any application that hooks into the media key event system.
The Mac App Store and the OS X Sandbox
SiriMote is not available from the Mac App Store, as it uses an API that does not work in the OS X sandbox to send media key events (CGEventPost).
As the Mac App Store requires the app to run in the sandbox environment, I couldn’t submit it. Either way, you will stay up-to-date as it uses Sparkle to deliver app-updates easily and quickly.
Links
Sirimote For Mac
SiriMote Website: http://eternalstorms.at/sirimote
SiriMote Direct Download: http://bit.ly/sirimotezip
SiriMote on ProductHunt: https://www.producthunt.com/tech/sirimote