Previous versions of watchOS allowed the Apple Watch to be used as a remote control for an Apple TV, with limited functionality. With watchOS 11, the smartwatch can potentially completely replace the Siri Remote that now ships with Apple’s streaming box, with new capabilities spotted by 9to5Mac.

The watchOS 11 update is available for the Apple Watch Series 6 and subsequent Apple Watch models. An Apple TV update is not required for Remote control functionality, though discontinued Apple TV models tend to be a bit flakey when it comes to Remote functionality.

O ne of the cool features of the Apple Watch that I never ever use is the Remote app, which you can use to control your Apple TV 4K. And the reason I never ever use it is because

But the discourse around too many streamers is no reason to dismiss Apple TV+, which has stealthily become one of the hubs for science fiction and similar genre programming. It’s also very easy to get access to,