For the most recent apple TV update which seems to have shipped in the last couple of days, on the "whats new" screen that apple TVs display when first viewed after an update there was something about "Remote App", which on one level seems to add an Apple TV mini app to the launch screen of iOS 12.

But reading on Mac World i found this (below). Dose this mean that officially supported Apple TV IP drivers can now be made for control systems ?

([Link: macworld.co.uk])

Remote app
The Apple TV Remote app will be automatically added to Control Centre when you set up a new Apple TV.

Features for developers
Developers will also get their hands on new tools in tvOS 12 including:

TVUIKit - a new framework for common user interface items.
TVML - which will conditionally displaying elements via data binding.
Network Framework - making it easier to create network connections for sending and receiving data.
Apple is also warning developers about the following:

Removal of some APIs.
Deprecation of OpenGL ES - Apple is pushing developers to adopt Metal for games and graphics-intensive apps.

Yup!

I'm not expecting anything more than basic transport controls and a siri pass through.

I'll take it... tired of sticking IR emitters onto and inside stuff!

IP control of ATV has been around for eons.

I was aware of it previously, but didnt think it was officially supported by apple

They (Apple) published the API. Unfortunately, its basic transport control, no direct app launching.

Seems this big update is just for use of Siri, which we all know is a moot point anyways. Siri blows like the 2 cent hooker in (name your city).

The remote app has been available on iOS forever and the "mini" remote app in the control center has been there since iOS 11. I use that control center app all the time. When my Apple TV update to tvOS 12 the "Whats New" screen mentioned integration with major control systems as one of the new features. I found this article from back in June:

[Link: cepro.com]

For what it's worth, Siri actually works great on the Apple TV. It's actually the only device on which I use Siri regularly. It's good to see that they are finally at least making an effort to allow third party control systems to access Siri.

I don't even use IP any longer, 4th gen and later have CEC control

I’ve always run a mile away from CEC and it’s one of the first things I disable on any device.

I have some some pulse 8 hdbaset matrixes which utilise CEC, I think the founder of pulse 8 was also involved in creating CEC

Dose it have any use when there is a control system in a project ?

Global Caché has a new device that allows sending and receiving CEC. It’s a “T” connection. RTI will be introducing a box (real soon now) that is inserted into the CEC path. This should allow complete CEC control.

I have had 0 issues with CEC control of 4th gen apple tvs, oldest install is nearing 7 months with 5 apple tvs.