Apple TV is a line of digital media players, with Apple TV 4K the latest. Despite the name, these are not actually televisions, but a set-top box that connects to a TV to stream digital content. The devices run tvOS.
It supports popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
There’s also deep integration with Apple services, including the Apple TV+ streaming service, Apple Music, Apple Arcade (gaming), Siri and iCloud Photos. And there are thousands of apps and games specifically designed for the Apple TV.
The latest Apple TV 4K is powered by an A12 Bionic chip and supports high frame rate HDR playback. A redesigned Siri Remote is also bundled with the box. Unlike the previous iteration of the remote, the new Siri Remote features a clickable wheel reminiscent of the iPod.
Apple’s tvOS 27 brings a few new features, but it also will leave two Apple TV models behind. According to Apple’s developer website, the tvOS 27 beta is compatible with “Apple TV 4K (2nd generation or later).”
That would mean the Apple TV HD and the Apple TV 4K (1st generation) won’t get the update. If you own either of those set-top boxes, you’re probably stuck on tvOS 26, with no new features coming.
Rumors point to an updated version of the HomePod mini and a new Apple TV 4K coming this year. What’s holding them up? The same thing that’s been giving Apple problems for years: AI.
Here’s what to expect from these two smart home accessories, and why Apple’s struggles with artificial intelligence have kept them off the market.
The MacBook Neo runs macOS on an Apple A-series processor with excellent performance, which has caused people to suggest that the Apple TV 4K could be hacked to run macOS and create a full-featured desktop computer for $129.
Or they propose Apple itself port macOS onto the video streamer and release it as a desktop that costs $200 or less.
Neither one is likely at all. Here’s why.
Apple released no fewer than seven products last week, including the MacBook Neo, the M5 MacBook Air, the iPhone 17e and much more. But there are still three more products likely to be coming out of Cupertino this spring — and one of them is among Apple’s most popular offerings.
Here’s what new Apple products we can look forward to in the next few months across multiple categories.
You can set up your Apple TV’s Siri Remote to control the volume levels of a separate sound system. It might not work out of the box. But with a little poking around in Settings, you can set it up so you can use the convenient volume buttons built into the Siri Remote to control sound bars, etc.
That means you won’t need to keep two or three remotes lying around — you can make it all work from just one. It just takes a little setup.
There are three Apple TV settings I always tell people to change as soon as they set theirs up. While I heartily recommend the Apple TV over the clunky and ad-infested experience of Roku and other smart TVs, it’s not perfect. You’ll want to change a few things to make it right.
First of all, you can put one of the Siri Remote buttons to better use. The TV button, by default, opens the Apple TV app — but you can have it take you to the Home Screen instead. Also, you’ll want to change the Home Screen to show your Continue Watching list, not its recommendations. And finally, you can turn off those annoying Apple TV sports notifications to stop the interruptions while you’re watching your shows.
Change these three annoying default settings, and you’ll be in for a far better viewing experience. Keep reading or watch our video to find out how.
Apple isn’t done launching new products this fall. Rumors point to the much-anticipated HomePod mini 2 finally coming soon, along with a next-gen Apple TV 4K.
Here’s everything we know about these upcoming home-entertainment devices.
Dolby unveiled Dolby Vision 2 Tuesday with big changes to the industry-leading HDR picture quality technology — and the timing couldn’t be better for Apple users. With Apple expected to announce next-gen Apple TV 4K at its September 9 Awe dropping event or shortly thereafter, the streaming device could be perfectly positioned to support the updated display standard as Dolby Vision 2 arrives, from day one or soon.
And Dolby Vision 2 could even solve users’ “too dark” complaint about Apple TV content.
The 2026 version of the budget iPad will be able to use Apple Intelligence thanks to an A18 processor, according to information leaking out of Apple. And the next Apple TV 4K refresh could feature Apple’s A17 Pro chip. The company is working on an iPad mini update with an A19 Pro chip, too.
Internal code accidentally shared by Apple revealed key details about these upcoming devices and their processor upgrades.
With the launch of a new Webex app designed for Apple TV 4K, you can now use Continuity Camera on your iPhone or iPad to join in Webex calls on your biggest screen with up to 25 participants, Webex owner Cisco said Wednesday.
Major League Soccer’s 29th season kicks off February 21 on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app, but fans can subscribe to the service starting Monday, Apple said.
International superstar Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami CF late last season, so 2024 will see his first full season with the club, and fans can also check out a variety of exclusive content.
From the “better late than never” category, a version of the Zoom video conferencing app has launched for Apple TV. This means it’s now easier to make Zoom calls using a TV’s large display.
Turns out the long wait was actually Apple’s fault.
Apple TV 4K became a more versatile living room device with Monday’s launch of FaceTime on tvOS 17, Apple said, referring to it as “a powerful integration of hardware and software.”
“Users can make calls directly from Apple TV 4K, or start calls on iPhone or iPad, and hand them off to Apple TV 4K,” Apple noted. “FaceTime on Apple TV 4K takes advantage of Continuity Camera support to wirelessly connect to iPhone or iPad, and leverages the devices’ cameras and microphones to bring participants together on the TV.”
Always wondering where you left the Apple TV remote? Maybe you should always put it in the same place when you’re done with it. And Elago makes that easy with its updated magnetic Metal Plate R1.
Just stick it to a surface on or near your TV and your R1 remote sticks to it. And viola, once you get in the habit of putting it back there, your remote is always where it’s supposed to be.
Apple said Monday in the WWDC23 Keynote that tvOS 17 brings FaceTime to Apple TV 4K for the first time. So you can put your calls with family, friends and colleagues on the biggest screen you have.
“tvOS 17 transforms the biggest screen in the home with FaceTime and new video conferencing capabilities, giving Apple TV 4K users the ability to easily connect with anyone right from their living room,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.
“New features and enhancements make Apple TV simpler to use and even more enjoyable, reinforcing it as the absolute best option in the living room for Apple customers,” he added.
Apple rolled out its new multiview feature on Apple TV 4K Thursday. It lets sports fans watch four streams at once, mixing and matching programming in a choice of layouts.
And that programming can include not just Major League Soccer matches and Friday Night Baseball games, but also selected MLS and MLB live shows with commentators.
Announced in mid-October, Apple’s latest streaming box—the 2022 Apple TV 4K—is now on sale. Pre-order customers are also receiving their units today.
The newest Apple TV 4K is faster and cheaper than its predecessor and has Thread support to control your smart home devices.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: For once, Apple’s new products leave us scratching our heads more than reaching for our wallets. We let loose our first impressions of this week’s new iPads, the surprisingly affordable Apple TV 4K, that ridiculous Apple Pencil dongle and more.
Also on The CultCast:
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
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Apple has unveiled the 2022 Apple TV 4K with significantly faster internals and a lower price. It features the same A15 Bionic chip found inside the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 series.
The 2022 Apple TV carries a lower starting price of $129, making it $50 cheaper than the previous model.
In the market for a new streaming device? The 2021 Apple TV 4K is once again down to its lowest price on Amazon, making it the perfect time to pick one up.
Apple’s streaming box retails for $179, but you can get it for $119.99 after a massive 33% discount.
A major Thread networking standard update Tuesday brings the Matter home automation technology standard a step closer for those who already own certain devices. Namely, gear that can act as a border router in the smart home — like Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini.
Thread 1.3.0 lets Thread devices work with any other Thread border router. That’s big because Thread will be Matter’s main wireless protocol, along with Wi-Fi.
Amazon Prime Day runs officially on Tuesday and Wednesday, but many deals, including bargains on Apple gear, tend to creep in early.
Earlier today it was Apple Watch 7 hitting a new low price, and now it’s Apple TV 4K — now at its lowest price ever on Amazon.
When Apple TV 4K launched last year, it had fans salivating. But not for the sharper picture or faster processor. It was the new Siri Remote that caught everyone’s eye. Had Cupertino finally made a TV remote control that didn’t suck?
With its iPod-style scroll wheel, the second-generation Siri Remote promised to make scrolling through content effortless. In reality, the scroll wheel turned out to be hard to use, and lacked support from third-party apps like YouTube.
But don’t throw your remote at the TV just yet. When you get the hang of its quirks, the Siri Remote scroll wheel works surprisingly well. And you can use it with loads of essential apps, including Netflix, HBO Max and, of course, Apple TV+.
Looking to buy the Apple TV 4K? Amazon currently has an irresistible deal that drops the streaming box to its lowest-ever price of $129.99. That’s a massive $49.01 discount off its MSRP.
The deal is unlikely to last for long, so pull the trigger on it as soon as possible.
Looking to buy the fantastic Apple TV 4K? Amazon has a sweet $29 discount that brings its price down to $149.99.
This is the lowest Apple’s streaming box has been available on Amazon in the last 30 days.