Why Apple Needs to Re-think Disallowing Game Controller Requirement on Apple TV

The new Apple TV.

It's actually a really great set top box. It's probably the best one on the market, honestly. Putting an Apple powered App Store onto a streaming box was definitely a long time coming, and I'm so glad that it happened.

What's great about apps? Well, you know, apps.
No, seriously, developers being able to put their streaming services onto Apple TV without being blessed by Apple, or working out special deals, or sacrificing their first born children like they had to do before is great.

Also games - games are really great on Apple TV. In the week and a half that I've had it, I've played more than my fair share of Crossy Road, Asphalt 8, Oceanhorn, Xenowork, Galaxy on Fire, Breakneck and other games. They're excellent (you should definitely check them all out), and I want more. Game controllers, as well as the Siri remote work really well, and there's something about games being on my TV that makes them feel more serious - more real.

Games were a huge part of the Apple TV launch spiel. And they have a brilliant future. Taking mobile, casual games more seriously is a huge market that everyone has been trying to tap for a while now. Remember Ouya?

There's only one problem, though: there are games that I dreamed about playing since the rumors of an App Store on Apple TV started going around. Games like N.O.V.A, Dead Trigger, Modern Combat, Shadowgun, Lego Star Wars, Midnight Star, FIFA, Afterpulse, Minecraft, and others are excellent on iOS and would be amazing on a big screen with a controller.

Unfortunately, this is not currently possible, even though I'm sure the developers are interested. Apple requires that all apps on the Apple TV App Store be able to work with just the Siri remote. Apps can utilize game controllers, which is a really good choice, but they cannot require (or essentially require through nerfing usability without) a controller.

What this ends up meaning is that apps with more complicated control schemes, such as first person games, shooters, and 3D world based games are simply not possible. This is really unfortunate, because it means that great games on iOS that belong on the TV cannot be on Apple TV.

This would be one thing if nobody else was doing third party games on set top boxes, but Android TV is doing just that. They happen to have Modern Combat 4 in particular featured in their TV store. Apple TV is the best media streamer (unless you are 100% YouTube + Google Play or all Amazon streaming [but now that's Google and Amazon's fault, not Apple's]) but it can't be called the best mobile game on TV box on the market right now.

Yes, I understand that this adds complications to the App Store, and users are generally bad at complications. However, I still think this is something that could be dealt with for the better gaming end. Also, Apple could either pop up warnings before you purchase a game requiring a controller, or could only display controller games if you've connected a controller to the TV before.

Am I the only one bothered by this? Let me know what you think in the comments. And if any of you have connections at Apple, please send this feedback their way.

Update: Checking out Apple's TV App Store again reveals that Guitar Hero Live is actually able to require a "bluetooth accessory," which is of course their guitar controller. This can be shown is this poorly shot photo of my TV because I don't have a USB-C cable to use to take a screenshot. 

So, apparently, at least if you are a certain developer, or perhaps only if your controller is not a normal gamepad, you can require it for use of the app. But officially policy is still to not allow MFi controllers to be required to play a game. Hopefully this requirement gets lifted.

1Password Sale

How do you manage your passwords? Do you use the same password across the web? Do you write your passwords down in a post-it-note near your computer (electronic or otherwise)? Especially in light of all the recent hacks, you really shouldn't be.

Password managers are wonderfully useful utilities which store your existing passwords and can help you generate newer, more secure passwords. 

Did you know that your passwords shouldn't contain any real discernible words? Here's the infamous computer security wizard Edward Snowden explaining good passwords to John Oliver (it's also funny and worth watching for that value):

Password managers store your passwords for you, allowing you to pull them up without having to memorize them, which makes secure passwords easier to use. You really should be using one if you are not. 

I personally use an app called 1Password, which works in all popular browsers, iOS, Android, OS X, and Windows. It's extremely secure, and on Apple platforms, it's always quickly up to date with all of the latest features (I can't speak to the other platforms because I don't use them). It can sync via Dropbox or via local wi-fi if you want extra security. 

1Password is free on iOS with in app purchases for pro features that are not in any way necessary, and $50 from the Mac App Store. That's a hefty price, but the security is well worth it. It's also available for $50 from 1Password directly with a free trial available. They also offer student discounts, but buying from the Mac App Store is well worth it if you also use iOS devices, because the Mac App Store version supports iCloud syncing. 

But, wouldn't you know, today on the Mac App Store, 1Password is discounted to $30. That's a $20 discount, which means that it's even cheaper than the student discount available directly from 1Password. 

I highly recommend you give 1Password a try, and even more so, I recommend you just buy it now for the discount that it's at. It's absolutely worth it. Let me know what you think in the comments. 

In Defense of Math

In Defense of Math

Just whipped this post up on Medium.com. Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments below.

Fleksy Keyboard for iOS Review

Fleksy Keyboard for iOS Review

I just posted this on Medium, which is another blogging platform that I use. You should still check it out, though. Comment with your opinion on whether you like the embedded Medium posts or you think I should go back to re-formatting them for native Blogger posts.