Apple TV gets support for Bluetooth input devices

An upcoming iOS update will allow the Apple TV media player to work with Bluetooth input devices. This allows the device to be controlled with, for example, a wireless Bluetooth keyboard. However, output via bluetooth is not yet possible.

Currently, the user can enter text within the Apple TV interface using the onscreen keyboard of the Remote app on their iPhone or iPad. But Apple also wants to add the ability to pair other Bluetooth input devices with a firmware update to iOS 6.1, which is currently in beta testing. reports 9to5mac. This enables text input on second and third generation Apple TVs via a wireless bluetooth keyboard.

A DiNovo Mini keyboard from Logitech would already be connected to Apple’s media player via Bluetooth without any problems. In addition to text input, the Apple TV interface can also be operated via a keyboard, for example by using the arrow keys. However, output from the Apple TV via Bluetooth is not yet possible, so a connection with, for example, a wireless speaker cannot be made.