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feat(search): use native tvOS keyboard - #60

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MagiqueDeveloper wants to merge 3 commits into
bobsupra:mainfrom
MagiqueDeveloper:feature/native-search-keyboard
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feat(search): use native tvOS keyboard#60
MagiqueDeveloper wants to merge 3 commits into
bobsupra:mainfrom
MagiqueDeveloper:feature/native-search-keyboard

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@MagiqueDeveloper

@MagiqueDeveloper MagiqueDeveloper commented Sep 6, 2026

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Summary

  • Replace the custom/hidden UIKit search input with real native tvOS TextField controls in both Search styles.
  • Keep the existing glass search styling while suppressing tvOS's default white focus platter.
  • Preserve the Netflix-style results split, recent searches, type filters, result focus restoration, and details-overlay behavior.
  • Remove obsolete custom-keyboard helpers from NetflixSearchViewModel.

Why the native keyboard

The native tvOS keyboard was chosen instead of rebuilding the keyboard in SwiftUI because it is the more intuitive Apple TV experience:

  • It uses the keyboard layout users already know from tvOS.
  • Siri Remote focus movement, key navigation, editing, suggestions, and dictation remain system-managed.
  • Siri Remote hold-to-talk works through the focused search field without adding a separate in-app microphone button.
  • Accessibility, localization, keyboard changes, and future tvOS improvements come from the system instead of requiring ongoing custom-keyboard maintenance.
  • A custom keyboard would require manually reproducing key layout, focus transitions, text editing, deletion, suggestions, and dictation behavior while being less familiar to users.

The app still owns the visual presentation: the real text field remains focusable and connected to the search view model, while the surrounding glass styling hides the default focus platter and keeps the search page consistent with the rest of the app.

Verification

  • xcodebuild ... build succeeded for Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) simulator, tvOS 27.0.
  • xcodebuild ... test succeeded: 279 tests, 0 failures.
  • The built app was installed and launched on the Apple TV simulator.
  • Manual simulator verification confirmed the search interaction works.
  • Physical Apple TV dictation verification remains recommended before merge.

Imagery

CleanShot 2026-09-06 at 11 05 40@2x CleanShot 2026-09-06 at 11 06 04@2x

Closes #55

The Netflix-style search screen typed through a hand-built key grid
(46x54pt keys, wrapped rows) and reached Siri dictation only through a
mic button that summoned the modal system keyboard. The query header is
now a real, focusable TextField, so the system keyboard renders as part
of the screen: full-size linear alphabet, suggestions strip, and
hold-speaker-button dictation, with no in-app mic button.

Results layout (text index + poster grid), type filters, recent
searches, and the keyboard collapse when focus enters results are
preserved. Back from the results returns to the query field, matching
the old Menu behavior. The custom keyboard, its layout engine, and the
focus-transfer workarounds are deleted. View-model consolidation is
intentionally not part of this change per maintainer direction.
@MagiqueDeveloper

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This is the basics, I may refine it with more commits.

@MagiqueDeveloper MagiqueDeveloper changed the title Embed native tvOS keyboard in Search feat(search): use native tvOS keyboard Sep 6, 2026
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[Feature]: Embed the native tvOS keyboard in Search for large keys and hold-to-talk dictation

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