Rumors of a new Apple TV 2021 with a revamped remote control are gaining momentum. The latest information reinforces claims that the next-generation Apple TV will feature a new remote control with changes beyond aesthetic tweaks.

9to5Mac reports that a new Apple TV remote control is in the works that could launch with the new Apple TV 2021. The current Siri remote boasts a glass top, aluminum back, and Touch surface. The lack of physical buttons and the fragility of the remote control have been a source of controversy among some users.

The next-generation Apple TV is expected to launch this year, and the magazine reports that one of its sources has confirmed that a new remote control will also be available; it appears to be being developed under the code name B519. The internal reference for the current model is B439, so this is quite a jump in terms of numbers. Whether this large discrepancy is taken as an indicator of a series of changes or just a tweak, no one knows.

Possible further evidence of the new remote was unearthed by MacRumors last week. The site noted that in the latest beta version of tvOS 14.5, "Siri Remote" has been replaced with "Apple TV Remote." This designation is not new; it has been used in areas where Siri functionality is not available on Apple TV. This could mean that Apple will unify the name across regions prior to rolling out the new remote.

The last update to Siri Remote was in 2017, when the Apple TV 4K was released. At that time, the remote was equipped with a gyroscope and the home button was highlighted with a white ring. If Apple has incorporated user feedback, the addition of physical buttons to the remote and the change in materials may make the remote feel less like an expensive craft and more like a simpler TV interface device.