The Steelseries Nimbus gamepad is a universal gaming controller for Apple TV and other Apple devices. Horipad Ultimate game controller released for Apple TV and iOS devices Game controller for apple TV

Apple TV 4 is primarily a set-top box, specialized in watching movies, cartoons and TV series. However, you can also play games on it, since there are a large number of them in the App store.

Some users are even convinced that Apple TV will replace their Xbox game console. But no, he can't. However, if you are going to use the set-top box as a game console, be sure to buy a joystick, I recommend Nimbus Steelseries.

Joysticks are universal accessories. As a rule, all the differences are in the shape of the case and its quality of materials, and this fact is quite simple to explain. It's all about convenience. Game developers make the controls the same on all consoles and users do not have to relearn. When he moved from PlayStation 4 to Xbox or Apple TV, so no adaptation time is required.

If you compare the Nimbus Steelseries with, it looks more like a joystick for XBOX. It's healthy and can kill. Whether this is good or bad, everyone decides for themselves. I personally like it, it fits very well in the hand.

In Nimbus Steelseries, the buttons are conveniently located. However, there were some downsides. The “triggers”, which are located at the end of the joystick, are placed high and it is completely inconvenient to reach the top row with your finger; you have to intercept it. However, habit can solve everything.

Joystick all Apple devices including: Apple TV 4, iPad Pro, or iPod. It connects via Bluetooth 4.0 and I did not find any connection failures. The gamepad charges via Lightning and the developer claims that it holds a charge for up to 40 hours. Enough to play.

If you are using a Nimbus Steelseries gamepad with Apple TV, then this is the best option. The large “Menu” button makes it possible to navigate tvOS and forget about Siri Remote. It’s very convenient and Nimbus has no competitors in this area. Please note that you cannot connect more than 2 joysticks to Apple TV at the same time. If you add a remote control to them, then only three players can play. It's a pity, but you can't play two-on-two with him.

By purchasing a joystick, your Apple TV really turns into a game console. Games and , differ from the versions for PlayStation 4 and Xbox. Actually, this is what you need to use Apple TV to its fullest.

You can buy the Nimbus Steelseries wireless game controller in the official Apple online store. Price 6,709 rubles.

Steelseries Nimbus is the latest gamepad for set-top box from Steelseries. After the release of the Apple TV set-top box, many users found it more convenient to use more familiar, standard-looking joysticks, so Apple made support for third-party devices. Nimbus is equipped with a Lightning connector to recharge the built-in lithium-ion battery and, according to the manufacturer, will work for up to 40 hours without additional recharging.

Appearance

The gamepad operates wirelessly via Bluetooth version 4.1. The appearance of the device is reminiscent of the design of Xbox joysticks, but with a classic cross-pad arrangement. Also, a nice feature is the pressure sensitive buttons. In order to find games compatible with the gamepad, you can use a special application. It contains an up-to-date database of paid and free programs with Nimbus support. The joystick firmware is also updated through this application.

Peculiarities:

Wireless joystick
Compatible with most iPhone, iPad, iPod and Mac devices
Classic arrangement of control elements
Ability to update device firmware

Creators of games for Apple TV need to implement support for the standard Apple TV remote control, according to Apple requirements published on the website for developers. The user does not have to purchase a special game controller to use game projects for tvOS.

The fourth generation Apple TV was released along with the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus smartphones, as well as the new iPad Pro and iPad mini 4 tablets. The set-top box is equipped with an A8 processor with 64-bit architecture, 32/64 GB of flash memory, and a Wi-Fi 802.11ac adapter with MIMO technology, Bluetooth 4.0 controller, HDMI 1.4 and USB-C interfaces, IR receiver and 10/100 Ethernet network controller. The kit includes a remote control with a touch panel, accelerometer and gyroscope.

The set-top box allows you not only to watch TV channels, but also to install various applications from the App Store and play games on the TV. Apple today released a list of requirements for gaming apps for Apple TV. By default, each game should support control using a standard remote control, which is equipped with motion sensors and a touchpad. You don't need much more for Angry Birds or Crossy Road, but replacing a gamepad in shooters, platformers and MMORPGs will be very difficult.

Your game must support the Apple TV remote. The user does not have to purchase additional controllers.
tvOS games that support controllers must support the extended control pattern.
Games should support simple controllers. If you support dedicated controllers, the game should work without them.
Games should support a Pause button. All controllers have a Pause button. During the game it should stop the game process. At moments when the player is not playing, for example when navigating through the menu, the “Pause” button returns to the previous screen.

Manufacturers are already working on third-party controllers for Apple TV, the first one was announced by SteelSeries. The manipulator, called Nimbus, is equipped with pressure-sensitive buttons, a set of gaming controls and a menu access button. Data exchange is carried out via Bluetooth 4.0, and the stated battery life on a single battery charge reaches 40 hours.

Apple emphasizes that third-party controllers are only an addition to the Apple TV; any game can be played using a standard remote control with a touch panel. If the developers of a particular tvOS game cannot solve the problem with control on Apple TV without a controller, they will not be able to transfer their project to the new platform.

In addition to the remote control, if you wish, you can “command” Apple TV with your voice - tvOS includes the Siri voice assistant. The new product will be available for purchase in October at a price of $149 for the 32 GB version and $199 for the modification with 64 GB of memory.

The new generation of the Apple TV 4 set-top box is very different from the previous one; the capabilities have been significantly expanded: support for Siri, a separate application store and the ability to use the device as a game console.

In order to play games, Apple has changed its proprietary remote control, equipping it with a touchpad and additional buttons. This is quite enough for simple games, but Apple TV 4 also has the ability to connect third-party MFi controllers for more convenient control in complex arcade games.

In September, the first Nimbus joystick from SteelSeries with support for Apple TV 4 and other iOS gadgets was already presented, this time another wireless controller appeared in the Apple Store - Horipad Ultimate. Both devices are Mfi controllers, which means Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad, i.e. Specially designed for Apple products, so they are fully compatible and easily connect to your devices.

Horipad Ultimate is no different in appearance from other joysticks, and resembles the branded controller from the Xbox One console. The controller has a proprietary Lightning connector for recharging the built-in batteries and connecting via a wire to a set-top box or other iOS gadgets. In wireless mode, data exchange occurs via the Bluetooth 4.0 standard, the Horipad Ultimate operating time on a single charge is about 80 hours, and can be charged using Lightning cables from an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Joystick dimensions - 152.4 × 106.7 × 61 mm, weight - 255 g.

The Horipad Ultimate can be purchased from the Apple Store online for $49.95.

It is worth noting that with Apple TV 4 you can use not only proprietary Nimbus and Horipad Ultimate joysticks, but also from third-party manufacturers, connecting them yourself via the Bluetooth interface.

Instructions on how to connect a joystick to Apple TV 4

Open your Apple TV settings.
Go to the "Connecting external devices" section.
Select the connection method via Bluetooth.
Turn on your controller (it must support Bluetooth).
The Apple TV set-top box will scan devices and should find the device, select it from the list.

It is worth noting that this scheme may not work for everyone, for example, problems may arise with the PS DualShock. The connected game controller can be used not only in games, but also for simple control in other sections of the Apple TV 4. Share in the comments which models of game controllers you managed or failed to connect to the TV set-top box.

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