apple tv set – Apple TV Hacks https://www.appletvhacks.net Get more from your shiny box of joy: Taking Apple TVs to the next level Mon, 06 Feb 2017 20:20:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Can You Control Your Apple TV Without The Remote? https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/02/06/control-apple-tv-remote/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/02/06/control-apple-tv-remote/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2017 20:12:32 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=111185 “Can you use apple tv without remote?” Sure you can! In fact, Apple has made it easy for you to enjoy the Apple TV with or without their remote control. Setting up your Apple TV is generally a breeze, but...

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“Can you use apple tv without remote?” Sure you can! In fact, Apple has made it easy for you to enjoy the Apple TV with or without their remote control. Setting up your Apple TV is generally a breeze, but not so if you want to set up apple tv without remote. However, did you know that you can actually use your Bluetooth keyboard, iPhone, and iPad to set up your Apple TV? That’s right! Many people simply don’t like to turn on tv with apple tv remote or basically use the Apple TV remote. So if you’re currently wondering how to use other devices with your Apple TV, then you’re in the right place. In today’s article we’ll tell you exactly how to do that.

Use an iPhone or iPod Touch to set up your Apple TV

If you’re wondering how to turn on apple tv without remote or how to control apple tv without remote, wonder no more! You can easily use your iPod Touch or iPhone to control your Apple TV. To wirelessly set up your device to use them, you’ll need to boot your Apple TV until the language screen pops up. Turn on Bluetooth on your device and place it on your Apple TV. Once you do that, a screen will appear where you have to sign in to your iTunes account.

Note: If you plan on buying content from iTunes, then you may want your Apple TV to remember your sign in credentials. This way, the next time you want to buy something you won’t have to enter your Apple ID and password again.

At this screen you also have the option to choose whether you’d like to help Apple improve user support and products. You can help them by agreeing to send info to Apple about how you use your Apple TV. If you don’t wish to do that, then just select No Thanks.

The setup process will then continue on the Apple TV. The device will use your access point to connect to the internet. The access point is provided automatically by your iPhone or iPad (whichever you’re using). Also, entering your router’s access point isn’t necessary, since the iOS device will handle that for you. At this point, your Apple television is fully activated. To access the iTunes Store, you’ll now just have to use your account information and login. Once you do that, you’ll see the home menu and can proceed to using iphone as apple tv remote. You can also use your iPad, depending on which device you paired with the Apple TV.

Note: In case your apple tv siri remote not working or you lost it, then you may wonder how to turn on apple tv without a remote. Well, doing so is simple and you just have to use a Bluetooth keyboard. This way, you don’t have to worry about ordering a replacement remote for apple tv anytime soon.

Setting up your Bluetooth keyboard

If you want, then while here you may also go to Settings, General, and then navigate to Bluetooth. By doing so, you can pair a Bluetooth keyboard to your Apple TV. It’s certainly going to come in handy whenever you need to type in any text.

Set up your Apple TV by using a Bluetooth keyboard

To do this, you’ll first of all need to turn on apple tv. At the language screen, you’ll also be informed that you can use a Bluetooth keyboard with your Apple TV. Pairing it is simple and all you have to do is turn on the keyboard and bring it close to the Apple TV.

A pairing code will appear on the screen. Enter it on the keyboard and then hit Enter. Your attempt may not be successful at first, so if that’s the case, be sure to try again. Once you manage to pair your keyboard with the Apple TV, you can use it to step through your menus. You’ll find it to be a lot more convenient, especially when searching for things online.

If you’d like to advance to the next screen, hit Enter. Now when it comes to the Wi-Fi screen, selecting your desired Wi-Fi access point is easier than ever and can be done by using the arrow keys. Once you select your desired Wi-Fi, you have to enter the password for it. Since you have a keyboard, doing so is a lot easier.

Again, you’ll be asked whether you want to send info to Apple to helps improve its user support or products. Click OK if you agree or No Thanks if you don’t want to send such data to Apple. Once you do that, you’ll be taken to the home screen menu.

Note: You still have to set up your iTunes account. To do that, go to Settings and then navigate to iTunes Store.

Controlling your Apple TV with an Android device

If you’d like to use your Android device to control your Apple TV, then you need to download an android apple tv remote app. This app is called Air Remote and you can easily download it through the Google Play Store. The interface is easy-to-use interface and the app works great.

Now that you know how to connect to apple tv without remote, you don’t have to worry about buying a new remote if you damaged or lost yours. Just follow our simple tips and you’ll be able to enjoy your Apple TV just as much with or without its original remote!

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Apple TV 4 vs. Roku Ultra: Which is better? https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/27/apple-tv-4-vs-roku-ultra-better/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/27/apple-tv-4-vs-roku-ultra-better/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2017 13:06:55 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=111061 Roku has been long in the game of set top boxes and now with its latest release, the Roku Ultra, it’s hoping to meet everyone’s needs. This is their best set top box yet and it’s one that many people...

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Roku has been long in the game of set top boxes and now with its latest release, the Roku Ultra, it’s hoping to meet everyone’s needs. This is their best set top box yet and it’s one that many people have already bought and enjoy. As expected, it has the most features compared to all other models in its lineup. That’s not all though: the Roku Ultra also has 4K support. However, a lot of people seem to think that the Apple TV 4th Gen is better than the Roku Ultra. If you’re currently looking to buy a set top box, then stay tuned. Below we’ll compare the apple tv vs roku to see which of them is the absolute best set top box. Let’s see!

Specs and Design

Apple TV:

  1. A8 CPU (dual core)
  2. HDMI output.
  3. 2GB of RAM.
  4. 1080 output resolution.
  5. 32GB or 64GB storage.
  6. 425 grams.
  7. Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi‑Fi, 10/100BASE‑T Ethernet.

Roku Ultra:

  1. 900 MHz Broadcom BCM2836 CPU (quad-core).
  2. Optical audio, HDMI output.
  3. RAM: Unknown
  4. 256MB of built in storage (unconfirmed).
  5. USB port and MicroSD card slot for extra storage.
  6. 4K UHD resolution with High Dynamic Range support (60hz).
  7. Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, 10/100BASE‑T Ethernet.

Specs breakdown

One thing you need to keep in mind is that specs don’t really matter that much. After all, the devices need to stream content and they have to do it well. They may have a powerful CPU and a lot of memory, but if the stream quality is not there, that beefed up CPU and memory don’t really matter that much.

Now, the Roku Ultra does have a more powerful CPU compared to the Apple TV. That’s because it needs extra juice for the 4K content. In terms of memory, 1GB should be enough. The Apple TV has 2GB, while the Roku may have about 1.5GB.

apple tv vs roku

The difference in storage between the 2 is massive. The Apple TV can have up to 64GB of memory, while the Roku only has 256MB. This is because the Roku focuses on streaming everything.

The Roku supports 4K HDR, while the Apple TV can only handle Full HD. There isn’t too much 4K HDR content out there yet, but it’s good to know that the Roku is future proof in this regard.

Remote control comparison

First of all, the Roku Ultra features a physical remote that you can also use as a game controller. Even better, it features a built-in headphone jack, too. This means you can plug in your headphones in the remote (the Roku comes with a free pair) and the sound will be directed directly to your ears (through the remote).

The Roku remote comes with a speaker as well. If you can’t find it, then you need to press a button on the Roku Ultra and the remote will play a sound that allows you to find it easier. Quite useful, don’t you think? Lastly, the Roku offers voice search as well, making it easier to search for your favorite movies, shows, etc.

When it comes to the Apple Remote, you can use Siri, speak into the remote and look for content. As expected, the Siri remote can also be used to command your Apple TV. The Apple TV remote also has a touchpad which is quite useful if you don’t like to press buttons all the time. Better yet, you can easily use it to adjust the volume as well. As such, no longer will you need to worry about having a separate remote for adjusting the volume.

OS and content

The OS on the Apple TV (tvOS) has been updated and revamped. It’s fluid, smooth and it’s very pleasing to the eye. Not only does it have HD screensavers, but it also has a very useful Search feature. You can now use it in order to search through channels, even if you don’t yet have them. This can be pretty useful. This means that if you search for movies with Leonardo DiCaprio, you’ll get results not only from the iTunes store, but also from HBO Go, Netflix, and any other app you may have installed.remote control comparison apple tv roku

The Roku Ultra’s operating system is called Roku OS7. You get about twenty five hundred channels, but that’s not the best part. The best part is the Roku Feed which makes it a breeze to bookmark your favorite movies and TV shows. What happens next is that when one of the channels Roku offers has that movie in it, you’ll be notified. How great is that? This sounds very much like the Apple TV’s universal search, but it’s certainly a lot more useful since it tracks your favorite content and then notifies you when you can watch it.

Apple TV vs Roku: Price and verdict

Trying to come to a conclusion on which of these players is the best is very difficult. In terms of price, the 4th gen Apple TV with 32GB of memory is $149, with the 64GB version costing $199. In comparison, the Roku Ultra costs only $129 which is much cheaper.

For the asking price, you get the amazing Siri remote that has a lot of functionality and can help you enjoy your Apple TV a lot more than the traditional remote. If you love games, then you can safely go with the Apple TV. You can download thousands of games from the App Store and many of them are quite affordable as well. Then again, with the Apple TV you don’t get 4K HDR support, while the Roku Ultra offers it. This year, the popular streaming services, including Amazon Instant Video and Netflix are focusing on 4K content, including HDR, so if you’re into it, then the Roku may be a great choice to consider. If you opt for the Apple TV, then you’ll need to settle with Full HD resolution.

Calling a winner in this battle is definitely very difficult. Our take is that if you want the highest quality content, then go for the Roku. On the other hand, if you’re into games and apps, then go for the Apple TV!

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How to Factory Reset your Apple TV in just a few steps https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/24/factory-reset-apple-tv-steps/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/24/factory-reset-apple-tv-steps/#respond Tue, 24 Jan 2017 12:42:08 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=111046 Sooner or later you may want to sell your apple TV or maybe even gift it to one of your friends. Or, you’ve tried to jailbreak your TV and in the process bricked it. Whichever the case though, the good...

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Sooner or later you may want to sell your apple TV or maybe even gift it to one of your friends. Or, you’ve tried to jailbreak your TV and in the process bricked it. Whichever the case though, the good news is that you don’t need to worry about getting another one. How come? Well, if you know how to reset apple tv then you can once again enjoy watching your favorite content on it in no time.

If this is the first time you’re trying to reset your Apple TV, it’s important to know that there are 2 ways you can do this. The first method involves resetting the TV from the Settings menu. This assumes that you can boot up the TV and use the menus. If you can do this, then way to go!

On the other hand, if you haven’t really used your TV in a while and you don’t think you’re ever going to use it anytime soon, then you may want to donate or sell it. Before you do that, you need to wipe off any sensitive data on it. Doing so is simple and you just have to use iTunes to complete the process.

There’s also the case when your TV doesn’t work anymore because you tried to update the firmware and accidentally lost power to the device. Or maybe you did something else that bricked it. With that in mind below we’ll take a closer look at your options.

You can boot your Apple TV

If your Apple TV boots, then you can use the console in order to reset it. To do that, you should access the main menu and then go to Settings. Here, make sure to click on General. After you access this menu, you should scroll to the bottom. There you’ll see that you can actually reset your Apple TV without unplugging it and then proceeding to plug it back in. Choose the Reset option.

how to reset apple tv

At this point, you’ll be able to cancel or restore your device to the original settings it shipped with. You can also reset your configuration and account. The option for doing so is called Reset All Settings.

Keep in mind that if you click Restore, then you’ll not only wipe the data on your Apple TV, but you’ll also download and install the latest software updates for it.

You can’t boot your Apple TV

If something bad happened and you cannot boot your Apple TV or maybe your Apple TV doesn’t operate properly, then don’t worry. This can be easily fixed by restoring it. Just connect it to your personal computer or laptop and factory reset it by using iTunes.

The first step you have to take though is to unplug the Apple TV. Next, get a mini USB cable and plug it into the back of the Apple TV. The USB port can be found below the HDMI port. The other end of the USB cable should be plugged into your laptop or personal computer.

At this point, your Apple TV should be connected, so be sure to plug it back in. If it’s not already running, iTunes will be launched automatically to recognize the Apple TV. There are 2 options you can choose from now, but remember that we want to fix the Apple TV. Therefore, we’ll click on Restore Apple TV.

can't boot Apple TV

Once you do that, you’ll be requested to confirm that you want to restore your Apple TV. Click on Restore and Update. You will need to wait a while, depending on your internet connection, for the Apple TV software to be installed. When the installation is complete, you’ll be able to boot the Apple TV and reconnect it to your TV.

Protect your privacy

Knowing how to factory reset your Apple TV goes a long way into helping you enjoy it once again. Once Apple will release a new Apple TV, a lot of people who currently own one may decide to sell it. Knowing how to reset it in order to wipe out sensitive data is very important to protect your privacy. Therefore, we certainly hope that this guide has helped you reset your device to the default factory settings. If there’s anything you’d like to add, please let us know about it in the comments section below.

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How to charge the Apple TV remote https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/13/charge-apple-tv-remote/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/13/charge-apple-tv-remote/#respond Fri, 13 Jan 2017 15:01:50 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=111013 Previous Apple TV Remotes featured a coin cell battery which could provide power to your remote for years without having to replace it. The reason this was possible though is because at that time the Apple TV remote had limited...

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Previous Apple TV Remotes featured a coin cell battery which could provide power to your remote for years without having to replace it. The reason this was possible though is because at that time the Apple TV remote had limited functionality. Users would also use the remote in order to select media, play and that’s about it.

Currently though, the Apple TV remote is not what it used to be in terms of battery life. While in the past you would need to replace the battery after a year or two (sometimes even less often than that), now you need to recharge it once every few months. So why did this happen? The answer is quite simple: Apple decided to add more functionality to the Apple TV remote. Right now, the Apple TV includes an App Store where you can download a lot of games, but also a  remote packed with a trackpad, sensors and Siri. Speaking of which, Siri can be controlled via voice commands. As you can imagine, this has a massive impact on the battery, draining it much faster than before.

Apple TV remote charge level

According to Apple, under normal use, you will need to recharge the battery once every 90 days or so. On the other hand, if you’re a gamer and you use the remote for gaming, then you will need to charge it more often.

The good news about this is that no longer will you need to visit your local electronics store in order to get batteries for your Apple TV remote. The latest generation Apple TV remote features a lithium ion rechargeable battery that charges in the same way as your other iOS devices, including your iPad, iPod, and iPhone. So with that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how this new remote works and how to charge apple tv remote.

How to check the charge level on your Apple TV remote

Checking the charge level on your Apple TV remote is simple.

  1. To do this, you’ll first of all need to go to the Bluetooth menu since that’s where the charge level is displayed. If you want to check the charge level manually, then from the home screen, you need to go to the Settings menu.
  2. Here, you’ll need to go to Remotes and Devices.
  3. While you’re in this menu, look for Bluetooth and access this menu.
  4. It’s in this menu that you will see an entry for the default remote. This entry is called Remote and it features a battery indicator that displays how much charge your remote has left before it needs to be recharged.

Recharging the Apple TV remote

Let’s say that you found out your Apple TV remote is low on battery. How do you recharge it? Well, compared to the previous generation of Apple TV remote controls where you had to open the remote to replace the battery, the latest generation requires that you charge it in the same way you would charge any other iOS device.

If you take a close look at the bottom of the remote control, you’ll notice a small lightning port. It’s the same type of port that you can usually find on an iPad or iPhone (latest generation). If you’re not an Apple user that already had a few other Apple devices, don’t worry. Your Apple TV will ship with a lightning cable that you can use in order to charge your Apple TV remote. Be sure to plug the cable into the remote’s Lighting port and the other end into a USB wall charger or port (either from your desktop PC or laptop).

Even if you do actually have a USC-C to lightning cable lying around, hijacking the USB-C port on the back of your Apple TV for the purpose of charging your Apple TV remote isn’t possible. This may be very practical, but it’s simply not possible. That’s because the USB-C port on the Apple TV can only be used for troubleshooting and diagnostic purposes.

Charging time

Now that you know how to charge apple tv remote, you may be wondering how long it takes for the Apple TV remote to actually charge. In our tests, the Siri remote needed about 2 hours and 30 minutes to charge. What we also liked on top of the short charging time is the fact that while the remote is charging, you can still use it.

Apple TV remote charge time

Charging your Apple TV remote may be something you’ll be doing a lot more often with a Siri Remote, but we also cannot disregard that  this minor annoyance comes with a lot of pros as well. First of all, the new and improved Apple TV remote is packed with a lot of useful features. Secondly, you no longer have to worry about going to your local electronics store to get new batteries. Just plug your remote into a USB wall charger and in 2 and a half hours the remote is fully charged!

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Apple tv remote app not working? Here’s how you can fix it! https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/06/apple-remote-app-working-heres-fix/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/06/apple-remote-app-working-heres-fix/#comments Sat, 07 Jan 2017 01:27:31 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=110950 Connecting your iPod touch or iPhone to iTunes, your Apple TV or computer is very simple and can be easily done with the apple tv remote app. Sometimes though, even if you follow all the installation steps, you just can’t...

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Connecting your iPod touch or iPhone to iTunes, your Apple TV or computer is very simple and can be easily done with the apple tv remote app. Sometimes though, even if you follow all the installation steps, you just can’t establish the connection. If you find yourself in this situation, rest assured, since we have the solution for you.

Install The Latest Software

Generally speaking, updated software fixes a lot of bugs and new and useful features, but there are cases when updates can actually cause a lot of problems, including compatibility issues. If you can’t get Remote to work, then you may want to first of all update your software and see whether the problem is fixed.

What you need to do is ensure your Remote app’s version and your iPhone’s OS are the same. Moreover, you also need to have the latest version of iTunes and the Apple TV operating system installed, depending on the one you want to use.

Connect Them To The Same Wi-Fi Network

If your software is updated, but you still can’t establish a connection, then you need to ensure your iTunes library or Apple TV, and iPhone share the same Wi-Fi network. This is crucial if you want them to properly communicate with each other. Here’s how to check if your devices are all on the same Wi-Fi network:

  1. iPhone: Go to settings, then Wi-Fi and see what Wi-Fi network the device is connected to.
  2. Mac: Just click the Wi-Fi icon and check the network you’re connected to.
  3. Apple TV: Go to Settings, then General, Network and then go to Wi-Fi and check the network you’re connected to.

Restart Router

Now, if your devices are indeed connected to the same network and you also have the latest software installed, then your issue may be simple to fix. If you use a router, then there might be a problem with the software. To make sure that’s not the case, try to update the router’s software. If this doesn’t work, then simply unplug the router. Give it a minute before plugging in the power cord and see whether your problem is solved or not.

Turn on Home Sharing

To effectively communicate with the devices it controls, Remote needs to use the Home Sharing Technology developed by Apple. What this means is that if you want Remote to work, then you need to ensure Home Sharing is enabled on all devices. To check whether Home Sharing is turned on or not, you can do this:

iPhone: If you’re yet to enable Home Sharing on the iPhone, just open the Remote application and you’ll be promoted to install it. To log in though, you’ll need to register for an Apple account (if you don’t have one yet).

Mac: Before enabling Home Sharing, all your iOS devices need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. To enable Home sharing, you need to have iTunes 9 or higher installed. Now, click on the File menu, click on Home Sharing and then click Turn On Home Sharing. To enable, you need to use your Apple ID to log in.

Apple TV: Go to Settings, then General, and finally to Computers. To enable Home Sharing, just follow the onscreen instructions.

Set Up Remote Again

If you got this far, but are yet to make Remote work, then you should try setting it up again. To do so, you need to:

 

  1. Remove the Remote app from your mobile device.
  2. Download Remote.
  3. Launch it.
  4. Enable Home Sharing and log in to the same account as on your Apple TV or Mac.
  5. Pair Remote with your devices (for this you may also need to enter a four digit PIN).

At this point you should be able to use Remote again.

Upgrade Time Capsule or AirPort

If that failed to fix your problem, then this means you may have a problem with your AirPort or Time Capsule or simply said, your wireless networking hardware. To check whether this is the problem, you should update your AirPort and Time Capsule software. Old software may interfere with the Remote app, your Mac or your Apple TV communicating with one another.

Installing the latest firmware for your AirPort base station:

  1. Double check to see whether you’re connected to the internet.
  2. If you’re sharing a HDD on your network by using the base station, be sure there’s no device on the network using that drive.
  3. Open the AirPort utility.
  4. If you’re on a Mac, you can find the AirPort utility by accessing the Applications folder and then the Utilities folder. If you want, then you can also use Spotlight to find it.
  5. If you use an iPod touch, iPad or iPhone, you can just go to the App Store in order to get the AirPort utility.
  6. If you see a red badge next to the base station’s name, click it for more details. You may not see a badge if the base station’s protected by a device password. If so, then click it and enter the password. In case you already have the latest firmware installed for your base station, then you won’t see any firmware updates in the AirPort Utility.

Reconfigure Your Firewall

If everything we recommended so far yielded no results and your apple tv remote app not working, then you may want to check your firewall. As the name implies, it can prevent programs and devices from connecting to your machine without permission. This means that the firewall can also be responsible for your iPhone failing to connect to your Mac.

If you get the error where Remote says it cannot find your library, then open your firewall (for Mac you have to go to System Preferences, then Security and there you’ll find Firewall).

Here you just have to create a new rule that allows incoming connections to iTunes. At this point you should be able to use the Apple TV remote app. If you’re still having issues, then you may have a hardware failure or complex problem. Call Apple for support.

 

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Why Apple wanted us to know they are not working on a TV set https://www.appletvhacks.net/2015/05/20/apple-not-working-on-apple-tv-set/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2015/05/20/apple-not-working-on-apple-tv-set/#respond Wed, 20 May 2015 16:34:58 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=9039 Here is Daring Fireball’s John Gruber’s take on yesterday’s speculations on whether Apple is working on a standalone TV set or not: Carl Icahn in his open letter to Tim Cook: Apple Television Set – after many years of rumors...

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appletv_set

Here is Daring Fireball’s John Gruber’s take on yesterday’s speculations on whether Apple is working on a standalone TV set or not:

Carl Icahn in his open letter to Tim Cook:

Apple Television Set – after many years of rumors as part of Apple’s push into television and as we referenced previously, we expect in FY 2016 Apple will sell 55” and 65” ultra high definition television sets.

In addition to an Ultra High Definition television set, we expect Apple to launch a related suite of tiered products and services, including a “skinny bundle” of pay-tv channels (partnered with various media companies) and an updated Apple TV microconsole.

Daisuke Wakabayashi for WSJ:

Investor Carl Icahn said he expects Apple Inc. to introduce an ultra-high-definition television in 2016. But after nearly a decade of research, Apple quietly shelved plans to make such a set more than a year ago, according to people familiar with the matter.

John Gruber on his blog:

One way to read it is that Apple gave Wakabayashi this scoop in order to throw cold water on Icahn’s speculation — they’re not doing a TV set and they want everyone know it, so that when they announce a new Apple TV box at WWDC next month (I know nothing about that other than that it’s widely rumored) everyone will understand that there is no TV set coming next year to wait for.

Making boxes that connect to TVs — like Apple TV as it stands today — that makes sense to me. Making actual TV sets, though, I’ve long been skeptical about. Years ago, I thought, “Why should Apple settle for selling a $100 box connected to a $2000 TV instead of just selling the $2000 TV set with the box built in?” The problem, though, is that TV set prices have dropped dramatically, and people don’t replace their TV sets that frequently. The only way to build a large TV-based platform is to make boxes that connect to the TV sets people already own. There has to be a standalone Apple TV box. In theory, Apple could make an actual TV set, too, but I’m unconvinced that makes strategic sense.

Also read: Everything you want to know about Apple TV 4

AirServer

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WSJ: Apple’s HDTV project dropped a year ago in favour of Apple TV 4 https://www.appletvhacks.net/2015/05/20/apple-hdtv-dropped-for-apple-tv-4/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2015/05/20/apple-hdtv-dropped-for-apple-tv-4/#respond Wed, 20 May 2015 09:38:43 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=9026 As Apple TV users, we are always excited to hear rumours on Apple’s own television set. The latest one is the open letter which Carl Icahn sent today to Apple, where he predicts the company to release an Ultra HDTV next...

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As Apple TV users, we are always excited to hear rumours on Apple’s own television set. The latest one is the open letter which Carl Icahn sent today to Apple, where he predicts the company to release an Ultra HDTV next year. However, The Wall Street Journal confirmed hours later that Apple has no plans to enter the television market anytime soon.

WSJ says that Apple had been working on a television set for nearly a decade. The HDTV market was very competitive and hence, they were looking for a real “breakthrough” feature that would set them apart and convince users to switch. And as it seems, they never found any.

They tried adding a front camera to the television helping with FaceTime and video calling. They also experimented with different types of displays, but none were compelling enough.

As such, Apple dropped its TV project a year ago. They didn’t dissolve the team working on it but just reallotted them to work on other devices, probably the Apple TV 4. Apple plans to reform the team and continue its television plans as soon as the company comes up with that breakthrough feature.

So for the time being, Apple is focused solely on its next set-top box for media consumption, which is expected to be announced next month at WWDC 2015.

Read more on the Apple TV 4 release date, hardware, software and apps.

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Apple TV 4 with gaming and HomeKit integration coming this fall? https://www.appletvhacks.net/2015/02/14/apple-tv-4-gaming-homekit-coming-2015/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2015/02/14/apple-tv-4-gaming-homekit-coming-2015/#comments Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:58:33 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=8528 There is no doubt Apple will release a new Apple TV model sooner or later, the only question is when. According to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, the Apple TV 4 could be launched this fall: With WWDC just four months...

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There is no doubt Apple will release a new Apple TV model sooner or later, the only question is when. According to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, the Apple TV 4 could be launched this fall:

With WWDC just four months away (likely June 2015), we believe talk about an update to Apple TV (not a television) could pick up over the next few months. Despite our belief in an actual television being unrealized so far, we continue to believe that TV is an area of focus for Apple and the most likely area for innovation now that the Apple Watch has been announced. We believe the most likely path to a TV would be an update to the Apple TV hardware and software that potentially integrates content, gaming, and HomeKit in the fall of 2015 and a television at least a year later. As we move toward the Apple Watch launch in April, we believe investors will be looking for the next big new product for Apple, which we believe will be focused around the TV.

Gene Munster is known for his predictions on Apple’s television set. Well, failed predictions, to be exact. But reading together with other rumors we’ve been hearing about the new Apple TV, we can be sure of one thing – the Apple TV 4 is real and is coming out for sure.

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Also read:

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Carl Icahn calls for an UltraHD Apple TV set in 2016 https://www.appletvhacks.net/2014/10/09/carl-icahn-calls-for-an-ultrahd-tv-from-apple-in-2016/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2014/10/09/carl-icahn-calls-for-an-ultrahd-tv-from-apple-in-2016/#respond Thu, 09 Oct 2014 19:21:52 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=7768 Popular activist investor Carl Icahn recently published an open letter to Tim Cook, asking for an increased share buyback from the company. And among other products mentioned in the letter, he points to an earlier discussion regarding the possibility of...

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Popular activist investor Carl Icahn recently published an open letter to Tim Cook, asking for an increased share buyback from the company. And among other products mentioned in the letter, he points to an earlier discussion regarding the possibility of Apple releasing its own television set in 2016.

Apple has long time ago stated that they weren’t interested in a HDTV lineup since their upgrade cycles are pretty long. But Icahn says that the ultraHD TV will replace the normal HDTV by 2016, and this upgrade cycle would be a huge opportunity for Apple to step into the television business.

[..]we believe UltraHD’s (ultra-high-definition television) superior picture quality in comparison to regular HD will drive a major TV replacement cycle as the price gap between them narrows.

It should also be noted that Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix, has referenced UltraHD as a major catalyst for Netflix going forward, and while this is true for Netflix, we believe it is also true for Apple.

Against the backdrop of this replacement cycle, FY 2016 represents an opportune time to introduce an UltraHD TV set.

Icahn forecasts that the Apple TV set would be sized between 55 and 65 inches, and be priced around $1500 (remember this Best Buy survey from 2012?). He even predicts that the TV set will sell about 12 million units in 2016 and more than double that in 2017.

He also tries to persuade Cook into the idea by citing the huge success of iTunes Store and how users would be able to enjoy UltraHD movies from iTunes through such high resolution screens.

We have been hearing rumors about the Apple standalone TV set for more than four years now, and earlier this year we received some contrasting reports on its development status. You can read all about the Apple’s HDTV here.

It is also worth remembering that rumors of an UltraHD TV from Apple filled the news in early 2013.

AirParrot for Apple TV

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Apple’s plans for its own HDTV are on halt, says analyst https://www.appletvhacks.net/2014/05/28/apples-plans-for-its-own-hdtv-are-on-halt-says-analyst/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2014/05/28/apples-plans-for-its-own-hdtv-are-on-halt-says-analyst/#respond Wed, 28 May 2014 22:09:42 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=6993 In 2013, rumors about Apple-branded TV set were circulating day by day, but after some point, the spike just flattened out. Well, now we have a reason worth believing: Brian Blair, an analyst at Rosenblatt Securities, has told Business Insider...

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In 2013, rumors about Apple-branded TV set were circulating day by day, but after some point, the spike just flattened out. Well, now we have a reason worth believing: Brian Blair, an analyst at Rosenblatt Securities, has told Business Insider that Apple indeed had plans to release their own standalone television set, but it was shelved in the mid-2013.

With Steve Jobs’ biography mentioning that he had “cracked” the code for an “integrated television set” and Tim Cook calling the TV market “an area of intense interest”, readers were already hinted of an Apple HDTV in the oven. Many concept designs and speculated unique features in relation to patent filings and acquisitions were flooding the web.

However, after his recent tour to Asia, Blair claims to have learned a lot on Apple’s television dreams. According to him, Apple was actively working on a prototype HDTV and even reached a stage where they started connecting with display panel makers. But at some point in 2013, Apple decided to put a halt on the project. The reasons being:

Some of the concerns around a TV are believed to revolve around 1) the unique logistics that surround the TV business (you can’t easily bring one into a store for repair, for example) and 2) features that would differentiate it from competitive offerings. It is believed in the supply chain that Apple is still trying to find a way to make the product work, though timing remains uncertain. We believe that Apple is focused on building up content and establishing differentiated media relationships before reconsidering TV plans again.

AirParrot for Apple TV

At the end of the day, we can only speculate that Apple will be concentrating more on the Apple TV set-top box for the time being and try to dominate the living room via the black box, rather than lighting up a couple million pixels. Maybe the long delay in the next Apple TV indicates great things are coming. Fingers crossed!

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