Apple TV Vs Your Smart TV: What’s The Difference
Pretty much all new TVs are smart TVs these days, meaning that they come with one of a variety of operating systems that allow you to stream movies and shows from your favorite apps without having a separate dongle. But if you have an iPhone users or other Apple devices that are extra advantages of an Apple TV.
If you have an iPhone, an Apple TV allows you to easily cast music or a move/show to your TV. It gives you access to Apple’s gaming and fitness services . And it allows you to use your HomePod or HomePod mini as TV speakers .
Does Apple TV Work With Homekit
Apple TV also gives you access to Siri and can become a base station for HomeKit. The remote includes a Siri button, allowing you to control your TV by voice. You can also use the Siri-like functionality for requests such as telling you the actors in a specific movie or asking it to display movies from a specific genre, actor, or director.
HomeKit works as the headquarters for your smart home. If you have smart appliances like a thermostat or lights, you can use HomeKit to control them. You can even use your iPhone away from home to communicate with Apple TV in your home to control your smart devices.
Apple TV 4k Vs Apple TV 4k
Apple just updated the Apple TV 4K so now you might see 2017 and 2021 models. So, what’s the difference? And if you have a 2017 model, is it worth upgrading to a 2021 model?
The Apple TV 4K is very similar to the older version. In fact, they look identical and have most of the same capabilities, including access to Apple Arcade and Fitness+, and support for immersive video and audio technologies, such as 4K HDR, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
The difference is that Apple TV 4K has a faster processor , as well support for HDMI 2.1 and Wi-Fi 6. This also allows the Apple TV 4K to support 4K TVs with higher frame rates : 4K at up to 60fps. Basically, if you’ve bought a new 4K TV within the last year or two, the Apple TV 4K will likely be able to get the most out of it.
Maybe the most obvious difference is that the Apple TV 4K comes with redesigned Siri Remote. It scrapes the old touchpad in favor of a more traditional D-pad controller, and it has dedicated buttons for power and Siri. Also, it’s a little thicker, more ergonomic and not as symmetrical .
If you have an older Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, you can purchase the new Siri Remote for $59. If you buy any new Apple TV from Apple, you’ll get the new Siri Remote .
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What Can It Do
Obviously, you can watch all kinds of shows on Apple TV 4K. It’ll even suggest things based on how often you use certain apps. The Home Screen is easily navigable and provides ready access to your apps, shows, games, Apple Fitness+ and smart home.
If you want to play Apple Arcade games on your TV, Apple TV 4K is the best way to do it. With native support for the same games you play on your other devices and controller support, it’s a bit like an Apple gaming console… but you’ll need to hunt a bit to find games that play well on the big screen. Grindstone is brilliant for instance, but it’s meant for quick games on my iPhone, not long sessions on my couch. Something like Cozy Grove is perfect though. .
The Apple TV 4K is also a smart home hub, allowing you to access the Home app to see all the smart devices in your home . You can control lights, locks and view video from HomeKit-enabled cameras.
What Is Apple TV
Apple TV streams movies and TV shows to your HDTV, similar to Roku and Google’s Chromecast, but that is only one feature. You can also listen to and watch podcasts on it, play games, stream music, and much more. It all depends on the apps you install. Some programs are free, some cost money, and some are free to download but have a service you have to buy to use it .
The only two things you will need to set up Apple TV are an HDMI cable and an internet connection. Apple TV includes an Ethernet port for a hardwired Internet connection and also supports Wi-Fi. It also comes with a remote control.
Once you hook it up to your TV via the HDMI cable and turn it on, you’ll run through a short setup program. This process includes entering your Apple ID, which is the same ID you use to sign in to iTunes and to download apps on your iPad. You’ll also need to type in your Wi-Fi information if you’re connecting wirelessly.
If you have an iPhone, you can use it to speed up this process. Apple TV and the iPhone will share some of this information for you, avoiding the painful process of inputting information using a remote.
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What Else Can I Watch On The Apple TV App
As well as its own original series, the Apple TV app gives you access to UK streaming services including BBC iPlayer, All 4 and ITV Hub, plus a dedicated kids section and, according to Apple, thousands of films, including the latest blockbusters from iTunes. Now you can buy, rent and watch, all from inside the app.
Apple has also partnered with networks including Starz, aiming to act as a gateway to their content via a new service known as Apple TV Channels, which appears to be a similar service to that already offered by Amazon as part of its
Apple TV Vs Fire TV Stick
Unless you come from generational wealth, its difficult to recommend the Apple TV over Fire TV Stick. At $29.99, the entry level Fire TV Stick Lite provides the exact same 1080p HD picture as the $149 Apple device. For $39.99 the Fire TV Stick come with 1080p, HDR support, and a bluetooth remote that can control your TV.
If youd like a 4K model, Apple starts at $170 for a 32GB version and tops out at $199 for the 64GB edition. Meanwhile, the jump to 4K with the Fire TV Stick 4K is just $49.99. If youre loaded or simply have your entire digital library purchased through iTunes, we understand. Otherwise, Apples streaming device is just too expensive.
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How Do Apple TV Channels Work
One of the features of the TV app is Channels – and this includes the Apple TV+ service.
In the US, channels include HBO, Starz, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, EPIX and Tastemade, and more will be added over time, including CBS All-Access and MTV Hits.
In the UK Channels include BFIPlayer, StarzPlay, Arrow TV, Arrow Video Channel, MUBI, Smithsonian and Tastemade.
What Apple TV+ Shows And Movies Are There
The first wave of programming available on the service when it launched showed that Apple TV was going to be a contender when it comes to original programming with some huge names attached to several of their projects.
From The Morning Show starring Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Anniston and Steve Carrell, to Ted Lasso starring Jason Sudeikis, there are a number of big shows on Apple TV+, with the streamers collection only growing.
Dickinson starring Hailee Steinfeld is now in its second series, while Physical with Rose Byrne, Mythic Quest and Schmigadoon are all relatively new shows on the platform.
Other projects that the streamer now has include:
Other projects in the pipeline are:
- Dolly, a courtroom drama with the twist of having Florence Pugh signed up to play a robot
- Foundation, a sci-fi series starring Jared Harris
- Invasion, a sci-fi series about an alien invasion
- The Shrink Next Door, a dark comedy starring Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell as a charismatic therapist and his patient
- Mr Corman, comedy-drama starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a teacher
- Luck, animated comedy starring Jane Fonda and Whoopi Goldberg
- Ben Stiller thriller Severance, starring Adam Scott and Patricia Arquette
- In with the Devil, drama starring Taron Egerton
- TheAfterparty, comedy starring Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson and Ben Schwartz
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Analytics Terms And Conditions
As with any Apple device, you have to say whether you’re happy for Apple to gather information about your use of apps on the Apple TV HD. It’s really meant for when things go wrong as an app can send much more specific and precise information about a crash than any of us can.
It’s up to you whether you choose Send to Apple or Don’t Send. We recommend that you choose to send, though, and that’s because this information can help Apple TV app developers.
There aren’t enough of those. It’s likely that the reason we can’t find an app showing us local movie theater listings is that there isn’t one. Apple TV’s App Store is a minute fraction of that for iOS so let’s at least give developers what help we can.
Whichever you decide, you’re next taken to a Terms and Conditions page. Here your choices are Agree or Disagree and, to be frank, we’ve no idea what happens if you choose the latter. Most likely you’ll get to sit there in front of a costly Apple TV HD which never shows you anything.
How Does Apple TV Work
Like all streaming media centers, Apple TV streams over your internet network. Simply connect the device to your TV through its HDMI port and the device will automatically walk you through its setup process.
Once youve finished set-up, its time to log into your favorite apps. Apple TV comes pre-loaded with days major services like Disney Plus, Netflix, , Hulu, and HBO Max . Theres a good chance your favorite service is already there.
Users control the Apple TV with a special touch/voice remote. Navigation is controlled by swiping on the touch pad on the top of the remote. Theres also voice search available by pressing the microphone button.
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How Much Does Apple Fitness+ Cost
There are two different ways to pay for the program: Users can choose between paying a fee of $9.99 per month, or purchasing an annual subscription for $79.99. All existing Apple Watch users will get a free month’s subscription to the program.
Apple users who purchase an Apple Watch Series 3 or later will receive three free months for Apple Fitness+.
The program can be shared among up to six family members without increasing the price.
How Much Does Apple TV+ Cost
Apple TV+ costs only $4.99 per month, and that includes Family Sharing. That makes it one of the least expensive streaming services on the market. You can renew your subscription for one year for $49.99.
Apple TV+ is included in all three tiers of the Apple One services bundle, which ranges from $14.95 per month to $29.95 per month.
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What Smart Home Devices Work With Apple Homekit
Here are a few highlights from Apple’s full list of HomeKit-compatible devices:
HomeKit works with a number of smart lighting devices, including those from Philips Hue, Eve, Lifx, Koogeek, Nanoleaf and Sylvania. To control temperature at home, try the Ecobee and Honeywell thermostats.
To keep your home safe, HomeKit works with Schlage deadbolts Elgato Eve Door & Window sensors D-Link’s Omna security camera Fibaro door, window, motion and flood sensors and Netatmo’s facial-recognition security system.
Think of Apple Home as an app that turns your phone into a universal remote control for smart home devices that you could potentially use anywhere in the world.
HomeKit can also control many of the best smart plugs such as those from iHome and Lutron, the Hunter Apache Wi-Fi Ceiling Fan, Netgear’s Arlo baby monitor Brilliant’s full-home controller and even a Wi-Fi smoke and carbon monoxide alarm from First Alert.
Foundation Finale Swagger Shrink Next Door: Wtf Actually Is Apple TV Plus
Apple TV Plus spends top dollar on A-list stars and big budgets, but it’s a little different than other streaming services. Here’s what to know.
Apple TV Plus launched in late 2019 with just nine titles to watch. It’s widened its catalog to more than five dozen.
Apple TV Plus, Apple’s subscription video service, spends a fortune on prestige, original TV shows and movies, including Ted Lasso, the comedy that won a stack of Emmys this year Foundation, the sci-fi show based on Isaac Asimov’s classic book series Swagger, a series about youth basketball based on NBA star Kevin Durant’s experiences and The Shrink Next Door, a comedy starring Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd.
But originals are pretty much all Apple TV Plus has.
Apple TV Plus lacks a deep library of licensed shows and movies to dive into. The service has original programming almost exclusively. Its lineup of high-end originals has grown to more than five dozen titles since it launched two years ago, including the ones listed above as well as See, a fantasy starring Jason Momoa Finch, a postapocalyptic Tom Hanks movie about a man, his dog and a robot and Invasion, a drama series about an alien… invasion The Problem With Jon Stewart, the comedy host’s return to current-affairs TV and The Morning Show, its drama series starring A-listers Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.
Apple TV Plus also doesn’t have its own dedicated app . Its shows are inside the Apple TV app.
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Why I No Longer Recommend The Apple TV Streaming Player
The Apple TV streaming player is a small box that connects to your TV via its HDMI port. It gives you the ability to watch streaming services from the Internet on your TV, and it allows you to mirror the screen from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to your TV.
To use Apple TV, you need to have Internet access, and youll have to connect your Apple TV to your home Wi-Fi network or router via Ethernet cable. Connection to Wi-Fi is pretty easy as long as you know your Wi-Fi password.
What About Apple TV+
As we’ve mentioned in several places, Apple’s streaming TV service – Apple TV+ – is integrated into the Apple TV app. Whether you’re viewing on an iPad or a Roku device, everyone gets access to Apple TV+ through the Apple TV app.
As mentioned above, you’ll find Apple TV+ in the Originals tab, but it’s also liberally promoted in the Watch Now section of the app, so as soon as you open it up you’ll see either an Apple TV+ show or an invitation to try it out. There’s a seven-day trial period to get you started, but then it’s £4.99 or $4.99 a month.
The Apple TV+ experience is presented very much the same whether you’re using the app on an iOS device or a third-party device. You can find out a lot more about Apple TV+ right here.
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Health & Wellnesseasing Back Into Exercise This 30
“I love that Fitness+ syncs seamlessly with the Apple Watch,” Todd Haselton wrote in a review of the product for CNBC. “You just pick the workout you want and then hit start. Your heart rate, the time elapsed and your Apple Watch Fitness rings appear on the screen and close as you continue to work out.”
No, all of the classes are pre-recorded, though the “burn bar” allows you to compare your performance to others who have taken the same class.
How Do I Change The Streaming Quality So I Dont Burn Through My Data
A single episode of an Apple TV+ show like See can use over 2GB of your mobile data. You can prevent Apples service from hogging so much data on your iPhone or iPad by going to Settings > TV. Youll see options to use cellular data or not, can change between Automatic and High Quality streaming, and can change the quality of downloads over cellular.
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How Do I Sign Up
Apple TV Plus is associated with Apple ID, which is the same log-in you’d use for iCloud or downloading apps from its App Store. If you don’t already have an Apple ID, you can create one here.
If you already have Apple’s TV app on an iPhone, iPad or Apple TV, you simply need to open the app and navigate to any of the places where Apple is prominently promoting its original shows. On newly purchased iPhones, for example, the app already knows you’ve purchased a new gadget to qualify for the deal. Whether you’re starting Apple TV Plus with a year free or just the standard one-week trial, the shows start playing in the app after a few taps.
You can also sign up and watch online with a web browser at the Apple TV Plus site.
How Does Homekit Communicate
Some HomeKit devices are connected to your hub via your Wi-Fi connection. Others need to be in Bluetooth range of your hub, which can be tricky if you want to control devices that are more than 30 or so feet away. In that case, you may want to get a Bluetooth range extender, such as the Elgato Eve Extend or the ConnectSense Bluetooth Extender, which act as Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi bridges to broaden your devices’ Bluetooth range.
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