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.

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.

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!

The post Apple TV 4 vs. Roku Ultra: Which is better? appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

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.

The post Apple tv remote app not working? Here’s how you can fix it! appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Redbooth has released a new Apple TV app, bringing the productivity tool to the big screen. The app is specifically designed to make group tasks such as presentations, assignments, etc, more easier to share with people. 

Ever since Apple opened up its Apple TV app store to the developers, we’ve been seeing plenty of cool apps. The Redbooth Apple TV app is the first of its kind coming to the platform.

Instead of using the screen-sharing feature to show your Redbooth files on the TV, you can now use the Apple TV app. With the app, you can do much more than just show your presentations at a meeting.

The app has been designed for the Apple TV, which means it works better on bigger screens. If you have a Redbooth account, then you just have to log in to the Apple TV app, and you get access to everything. All your projects, tasks, lists, assignments, are available in the app. It also includes tips, training instructions, and other content.

Redbooth CEO Dan Schoenbaum stated;

As a collaboration app designed specifically for Apple TV, we’re delivering a groundbreaking, streamlined experience that allows you to skip the screen-sharing, ditch the dongles and start planning quickly and beautifully in the living room or the board room.

The Redbooth App is available under a Business section in the tvOS app store, which clearly shows that more business related apps are coming. The company hopes that people who use their app on the desktop will also use their Apple TV app to work from home, or at the office.

It will certainly make it easier to do a presentation in the meeting room and even plan a trip in the living room. The app can do it all. It is also available on the iPhone and the Apple Watch, making it a handy on the move app.

If you’re interested in trying out this productivity and project management app, head over to the App Store on your Apple TV and download it.

The post Redbooth Apple TV App for Project Management and Collaboration Released appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Nuvyyo’s new Tablo app is the first real live TV app on the Apple TV 4. The app is free but it requires you purchase additional hardware (Tablo DVR), antenna and TV guide service, because, obviously, Apple TV doesn’t have a coaxial connection in the back that you can hook up an antenna.

Tablo is not an IPTV app. It’s a hardware and service that gives you major networks over the air, like NBC, ABC, Fox, CBS, PBS, and as many channels as the antenna in or on your house can pick up.

You get a grid-style Program Guide and the ability to record single and multiple recordings. You also can manage recordings right from the app.

This is the best way to stop paying a monthly subscription to your cable provider and cut the cord for good.

Last year Apple stated: “The future of television is apps”. And they are correct.

Watch the video and tell me if you agree.

Learn more about Tablo.

Search for “Tablo” on your Apple TV’s App Store to download the free app.

Also check out:

• Infuse 4 for Apple TV 4: first look (video)
• Plex on Apple TV 4 explained (video)
• How to save media files to your Apple TV 4 ‘hard drive’ for offline viewing (video)

You can find more videos on my YouTube channel AskUncleDave.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

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Apple has quietly implemented a change to the way Top Charts work on the Apple TV App Store. The charts are now hiding any apps a user has installed on their device, instead of simply showing a list of the Top Paid, Top Free and Top Grossing tvOS apps.

The change was initially noticed by German app developer @equinux:

In turns out, Apple now hides an app in the charts once you’ve installed it. Give it a try: Go install TV Pro Mediathek (VOD for German TV content) from the App Store (currently #3 Top Grossing in Germany) and then go back in to the App Store: boom — it’s gone from the charts and the next-placed app has moved up.

This tvOS top charts algorithm change even affects featured apps on the start page: TV Pro Mediathek no longer shows up in its featured slot on the start page of the German App Store once you’ve installed it.

Apple’s intention with the change is presumably to make the charts appear ‘fresher’ and users see more apps that they haven’t installed yet.

As noted by @equinux, “the downside is that the charts don’t really show an accurate picture of what the ‘Top’ apps are, instead they show ‘Top apps that you haven’t installed yet’.”

Earlier in the year, tvOS App Store also received a new ‘Not on This Apple TV’ section within the Purchased section.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

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Apple has released the retail build of tvOS that include the long-awaited Apple TV App Store. Developers and first customers have now access to houndred (if not thousands) of apps and games designed specifically for a big screen.

Among the first, more interesting apps are:

• Simplex (a third party Plex client)
• Alto’s Adventure
• Asphalt 8: Airborne
• Crossy Road
• Shadowmatic
• Oceanhorn
• Withings Home
• Pangea’s games with 3D support: Air Wings, Bugdom 2, Nanosaur 2, Nucleus, Otto Matic;
• Airbnb
• Mr Jump
• SketchParty TV
• Streaks Workout
• Ookla
• BBC iPlayer

Giveaway: Win a brand new Apple TV 4!

More on Apple TV 4:

• MAME emulator running on Apple TV 4
• Official Plex app for Apple TV 4 available from day one
• VLC coming to the new Apple TV
• tvOS not coming to Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3
• How Apple is fixing what’s wrong with console gaming today

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post Apple TV App Store goes live as Apple releases final version of tvOS appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

As announced by Tim Cook last week, the 4th generation Apple TV went on sale today and is now available to order from the Apple Online Store. First deliveries begin later this week.

Giveaway: Win a brand new Apple TV 4!

Apple TV 4 is available in two storage options: 32GB model for $149 and 64GB model for $199.

HDMI cable is sold separately and Apple is offering it for $19. AppleCare Protection Plan for Apple TV is priced at $29.

Also available are a replacement Siri Remote for $79 and Remote Loop for $12.99.

4th gen. Apple TV runs the all-new tvOS operating system enabling iOS developers to create new apps and games specifically for Apple TV. Users will be able to download apps directly through the new Apple TV App Store.

The new Apple TV features Apple’s 64-bit A8 chip and supports Bluetooth 4.0 and fast 802.11ac Wi-Fi..

It comes with a completely redesigned Bluetooth “Siri Remote” that lets you navigate through your content by using Siri or a glass touchpad. It also sports built-in accelerometer, gyroscope and a Lightning port.

Siri allows you to search TV shows, movies and offers playback control and on-screen navigation, as well as quick access to sports, stock and weather information.

More on Apple TV 4:

• MAME emulator running on Apple TV 4
• Official Plex app for Apple TV 4 available from day one
• VLC coming to the new Apple TV
• tvOS not coming to Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3
• How Apple is fixing what’s wrong with console gaming today

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post Apple TV 4 now available to order appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Although it wasn’t officially announced yesterday, it looks that the 2nd and 3rd generation Apple TV won’t be compatible with the new Apple TV operating system – tvOS. Older devices won’t be getting the App Store, Siri and third-part controllers. Basically, they probably won’t get any of the cool features announced yesterday for the “all-new Apple TV”.

The first beta of tvOS, that was released for the developers yesterday, will not run on older Apple TVs.

Apple’s comparison page for the new and older Apple TV models clearly shows that none of the new features is coming to older devices.

It also appears that Apple Music will not be supported on older devices.

If you were wondering why all the new features are absent from the Apple TV 3, scroll down a little bit more on the comparison site.

It is yet to be confirmed if the Apple’s subscription TV service (rumored to be due for release sometimes next year) will be supported on older devices. 9to5Mac’s Mark Gurman reported last month that “the software update that enables Apple’s cable-replacement service is currently planned to also become available for the third-generation Apple TV”.

The revamped Apple TV will be available at the end of October starting at $149 for a 32GB model and $199 for a 64GB model.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post tvOS not coming to Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3, older devices not getting App Store, Siri and Apple Music appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

As expected, Apple has toady announced the next generation Apple TV with big focus on apps and gaming. It runs the all-new tvOS operating system, based on Apple’s iOS, enabling iOS developers to create new apps and games specifically for Apple TV. Users will be able to download apps directly through the new Apple TV App Store.

The 4th gen. Apple TV features Apple’s 64-bit A8 chip and supports Bluetooth 4.0 and fast 802.11ac Wi-Fi..

It comes with a completely redesigned Bluetooth “Siri Remote” that lets you navigate through your content by using Siri or a glass touchpad. It also sports built-in accelerometer, gyroscope and a Lightning port.

You can search with your voice for TV shows and movies across multiple content providers simultaneously. Siri allows you to search TV shows and movies by title, genre, cast, crew, rating or popularity. Apple TV will search iTunes and apps from Netflix, Hulu, HBO and Showtime.

Siri also offers playback control and on-screen navigation, as well as quick access to sports, stock and weather information.

The new operating system – tvOS, supports key iOS technologies including Metal, for detailed graphics, complex visual effects and Game Center.

Crossy Road and Beat Sports are among the first games that we will see on the new Apple TV.

The revamped Apple TV will be available at the end of October starting at $149 for a 32GB model and $199 for a 64GB model.

A new Xcode beta that includes the tvOS SDK is available for developers today at developer.apple.com/xcode/downloads.

Developers can also request an Apple TV developer kit at developer.apple.com/tvos/.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post Apple announces the all-new Apple TV with App Store, Siri, tvOS and redesigned Bluetooth remote appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

It appears that the time has come for the little black box to grow up and become a significant player in Apple’s ecosystem. Some reports even speculate that the Apple TV will be THE center of the Apple ecosystem in homes; connecting Internet of Things devices via HomeKit, showcasing iCloud & Photos content, playing games and eventually streaming broadcast television. While the iPhone 6s will undoubtedly take center stage at this Wednesday’s event, all signs point to the new Apple TV being the real star of the show.

First, the raw details that first leaked at 9to5Mac and have been quoted through out the web since. The device will run iOS 9 and include an updated remote, likely with an integrated touchpad and accelerometers for rough gesture based input.

The internal hardware will be significantly upgraded from the prior iteration with the inclusion of an A8 processor, 2GB of RAM, Bluetooth 4.2 and 802.11ac wireless capabilities resulting in a $149 price point. It appears the price may be tied to the internal storage space with several variants being considered, likely 8 and 16GB models.

While this will create a very formidable little box, the current rumor is that it will not support 4k video.

One of the biggest improvements with the new device is said to be the interface. While initially ‘clean and simple,’ the grid based icon layout of the current Apple TVs has become a sea of never ending icons and is far from pleasant to use. Frankly I have all but ditched mine as the speed to arrive at an application and then load it is easily surpassed by competitors such as the Roku 3.

Thankfully, iOS 9’s new Proactive Spotlight Search capabilities provide a handy tool for eliminating the need for endless icons. With so many options for streaming, the ability to ‘deep search’ into applications and immediately get to the content you want will be key for TVs of the future. This improved search along with upgraded Siri functionality is said to make the new Apple TV interface really shine.

In the past, this is where the updates would have stopped, a spec and UI bump. Sure there were people that had heard rumors or seen ‘Apple TV’ show up in Flurry results, but a true native App Store for the device never materialized… until now.

Finally, after many years of speculation, desire and even dedicated gamepad support in iOS, the new Apple TV version will have apps! Why now, why not years ago?  Only Mr. Cook knows the truth but I have several theories we can discuss over beers at WWDC next year.

What is most surprising to me is that until now, there has been NO visibility of this in the development tools. None. Apple isn’t about to release an App Store without apps, so what gives? This is complete speculation, but I believe this will be very similar to the iPad launch in that the new Apple TV will support much of the current App Store catalogue with few if any tweaks needed in the code base.

However, for those that have the resources, there will be a 30 day window in which to develop an Apple TV-‘optimized’ build of your application. Much like the iPad launch, these will get special billing in the store.

This actually brings me to one of my theories on the delay, I believe the remote was a big factor and this new remote enables the backward compatibility to fill the store from day one.

Either way, we will see for sure on Wednesday September 9th starting at 10am PST.

Rob Witman (@robwitman)

Read more about Apple TV 4: 

• Apple TV 4 specs and price revealed
• Apple TV 4: big focus on gaming and Siri, support for Bluetooth game controllers
• Apple TV 4 will cost $149-$199, available in October

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

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