AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support is now rolling out to Insignia and Toshiba television sets produced in 2020.
The free firmware update lets you stream content from Mac, iPhone and iPad directly to your TV set. You can also control your TV using Siri voice commands and by using the Home app on Apple devices.
AirPlay 2 and HomeKit have been expanding their reach to a whole host of third-party devices in recent years. TVs and set-top devices from big brands like Samsung, Sony, and LG now support Apple’s platforms.
But you don’t necessarily need to buy big brands.
Insignia and Toshiba TVs get AirPlay 2 and HomeKit
AirPlay 2 and HomeKit are now available on some more affordable sets. Both the 2020 Toshiba 4K UHD Smart Fire TV with Dolby Vision and the 2020 Insignia 4K UHD Smart Fire TV are getting the update.
Once installed, the newest firmware lets you stream content directly from an Apple device to your TV — no additional hardware required. It also lets you add your set to the Home app for HomeKit control.
For the latter, you’ll need to add your TV as a HomeKit accessory. You can do this by entering the set’s settings menu, going to Display and Sounds, and then by selecting the AirPlay and HomeKit option.
Follow the onscreen setup instructions and you’ll then be able to control your TV using the Home app, or with Siri commands. Turning the set on and off, adjusting volume, and changing the input source are supported.
