The Accountant (2016)

If you love Ben Affleck, then you may want to give The Accountant a shot. Ben plays Christian Wolff, a math savant that seems to have a great affinity for numbers compared to most other people. He has a small town CPA office, but that is just a front for the darker operations he’s conducting. Christian is actually an accountant for some of the worst criminals you can imagine. One day the Crime Enforcement Division from the Treasury Department decides to investigate Christian since his activities attract unwanted attention. In order to appear as legit as possible, he gets a legitimate client. This client is actually one of the top robotics companies in the country. However, soon enough an accounting clerk realizes there’s a massive discrepancy when Christian starts to transfer millions of dollars between various accounts.

Manchester By the Sea

This is a very moving and highly acclaimed movie that will impress you not only through its story, but also its cinematography. After working as a janitor in Boston, Casey Affleck suddenly becomes the sole guardian of his nephew who is only sixteen years old. At the same time, he is trying to accept his past and the fact that his wife (Michelle Williams) is no longer with him. This is an extraordinary story of hope, sacrifice, community, and love that you certainly need to see.

Arrival

If you love movies such as the Aliens franchise and basically any movie that involves aliens, then Arrival is a must-see. When 12 mysterious spacecraft land in various parts of the world, an elite team of scientists is summoned to enter one of these ships and investigate it. Pressure is mounting fast as the governments of the largest countries in the world feel threatened by the ships. To prevent an all-out war, the scientists need to find out what the aliens want and whether they’re a danger to Earth or not. The movie is very intense and is by far one of the best movies of the year.

Trolls

For those of you who loved the Shrek series, you will certainly love Trolls. This is a DreamWorks animation that is funny, smart, and is basically a story about how far some people are ready to go to find happiness. You will be transported to a wondrous, beautiful, and colorful world while watching Trolls. What’s funny about the trolls is that they always have a song on their lips and a dance in their steps. There’s also the Bergens who seem to only be happy once they have Trolls in their stomachs.

After Troll Village is invaded by the Bergens, the happiest troll to be born (Poppy) together with Branch go on a journey to save their friends. As you may expect, this is going to be a journey that’s full of mishaps and adventure, since the 2 characters are very different from one another and need to learn how to tolerate each other. The movie’s narrative is furthered by music produced by Gwen Stefani and Justin Timberlake, on top of the classic hits from the sixties to the eighties.

John Wick

When professional assassin John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves) is mercilessly beaten by a gang of young thugs, a very bloody war is about to begin. Wick embarks on a journey through the bullet-riddled city of NY to hunt down those who killed his dog and almost killed him in order to make them pay for their actions. It’s a very violent movie that reveals a new side of Keanu that will surprise and also impress you. Highly recommended!

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back

This is an action packed movie where Jack Reacher is back to enforce his breed of justice in this action filled sequel based on the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child. When Susan Turner (army major) is falsely accused of treason, Reacher soon finds out that she’s actually the target of a government conspiracy. With the help of a strange ally and Turner, Reacher defies deadly traps and risks his life to bring down the organization responsible for this.

Deepwater Horizon

Deepwater Horizon is actually a movie that’s inspired from real life heroes and it’s one you’ll have a hard time forgetting. For the 126 workers aboard the offshore oil right, April twentieth ’10 started like any other day. However, before the end of it, one of the largest disasters in US history was about to begin. This movie is about the courage of all the men and women on the rig who risked their life to bring everyone else to safety.

Whether it’s Friday night or any other weekday and you want to watch a movie that will impress you with its story, cinematography, and overall special effects, these are some of the best titles you should consider. Now all you have to do is make sure you have the popcorn ready and a few beers and movie night can begin. Enjoy!

The post A List Of The Top Movies You Can Watch On The ATV appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

The App Store discovery doesn’t work as it should and give the fact that you cannot link applications on the web doesn’t help boost the ATV’s popularly either. However, in the past 2 weeks we went on a download spree and got to play a wide range of games on the ATV. If you’re an Apple TV gamer and want to know more about the best titles you should check out, then you’re in the right place. Below we’ll take a better look at the Best apple TV games that we think every Apple TV owners should play. Let’s check them out!

1. Galaxy on Fire: Manticore Rising

Space shooters seem to be enjoying a lot of success on the Apple TV and Galaxy on Fire: Manticore Rising is certainly a title that deserves your attention. The game is fun to play, has great art and we believe that its shortcomings in the voiceover department can be overlooked. Why? Well, because the developers just gave us first look at how the Siri Remote may be used in the development of future Apple TV games.

In terms of control, it’s limited and your ship will automatically attack enemy ships. Using the motion controls is fun and exploring the vast space is an experience in itself given the great graphics. If you’re into space shooters and want to play a slick title that perfectly fits the genre, then you may want to give Manticore Rising a shot.

2. Oceanhorn

Do you love The Legend of Zelda and think it’s an amazing game? Well, we also think the same. Even more, we want to let you know about Oceanhorn which is a sort of Zelda clone. What we love about this title, aside from its resemblance to Zelda, are the top notch graphics. These actually give you a glimpse of the ATV’s capability as a gaming console for less derivative games. Overall, the game is really fun to play, yet it’s not a masterpiece by any means. However, it does prove that titles such as it may be a convincing leap to a bigger screen.

3. Alto’s Adventure

If you have an iPad or an iPhone, chances are that you may have already played Alto’s Adventure. This is a very fun and interesting game to say the least. Not only that, but it features smooth animations, stark colors, amazing environments, and minimal artwork. All of these combined result in a world that captivates you and makes you want to play more. As you’ll zip down the slopes, all you have to do is jump. You can also hold the button to perform backflips, so playing the game is very simple. If you’re into very simple games that you can play either on the subway or at home while having a cup of tea, then Alto’s Adventure is a title you should certainly not miss.

4. Bean Dreams

Bean Dreams is probably one of the funniest games we’ve ever played on the Apple TV. In the game you’ll play as a Mexican bean that simply can’t stop itself from jumping. This means that you just need to use your thumb to move the character right or left. When playing it on the Apple TV, you can either use a controller or the Siri Remote to enjoy it. Overall, Bean Dreams resembles Mario a lot and it’s a fresh take on the game that we think you’ll love. We’ve also had a lot more fun playing it with the Siri Remote rather than a third party controller, but your mileage may vary.

5. Skylanders: Superchargers

If you never thought that cramming a 10 GB game on a console is impossible, then you’re wrong. Skylanders Superchargers managed to do just that and you can now play it on the Apple TV. What makes this game special is the fact that it uses the app thinning technique on the tvOS to stream various parts of the game on the fly. Better yet, since it also features iCloud Saves, you can literally play this game anytime and anywhere as long as you’re connected to the internet.

If you want to play the game, you also have the option to purchase a 75-dollar starter pack, a vehicle, 2 figurines, and a controller. If you don’t want that, then rest assured. You can have just as much fun by opting for the in-app purchases. Have fun!

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1. Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved

The Apple TV has great potential for gamers and it’s no wonder why there are so many gaming geared apps available for it. Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved is by far one of the first games you should play on your Apple TV. With its amazing three dimensional vector graphics and awesome electronica soundtrack, this shooter will keep you up for days. What’s great about it is that you can also play it on other iOS devices. With Geometry Wars the fun never stops no matter where you are. You can easily have your saved games uploaded to the cloud so you can therefore play the game wherever and whenever you want.

2. Lumino City

If you like to play more relaxing games, then State of Play’s Lumino City will blow you away. Excellent gameplay, a jaw-dropping visual style and a dreamy soundtrack make this an irresistible title. Unlike other games these days, Lumino City was made with motors, lights, cards, and paper. The backdrops are ultra realistic and overall the game is extremely exciting, creative, and fun to play. You play as Lumi, a little girl whose grandfather was kidnapped and now she has to find him at all cost. Overall, this is a great game and given the fact you can also play it on iOS devices makes it even better!

3. Shoot The Zombirds

Shoot The Zombirds is a classic iOS shooter that will make for a great experience if you play it at night or on Halloween. The game is available on tvOS for a very modest price, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get it. Better yet, it looks gorgeous on larger screens and works on both tvOS and iOS devices. In Shoot The Zombirds you play as pumpkin header archer who needs to do his best to make sure that his baby pumpkins are protected from the spooky birds flying around them. Of course as you may have gauged, you need to practice your archery skills. It will take a while until you get used to the controls. Other than that, this is no doubt a game you absolutely need to try!

4. 7 Minute TV Workout

Do you want to get in shape, but don’t really want to leave the living room? Well then, it sounds like you need to get your hands on Roman Shevtsov’s 7 Minute TV Workout. As the name suggests, this is an app that basically helps you get back in shape. 7 Minute TV Workout helps you cycle through twelve exercises that they claim to be scientifically proven. By the end of the workout, you’ll have lost quite a few calories. The app includes explanations for each workout, how it helps you get in shape, its benefits etc. You also get a Progress Calendar that allows you to see how much impact your workouts have had on your body since you started training. There aren’t too many apps of the kind available on the Apple TV. However, 7 Minute TV Workout is breaking the ice by helping people get in shape from the comfort of their own home.

5. Netflix

As you may already know, this is by far one of the best apps you can use with your Apple TV to access millions of videos, movies, TV shows, you name it. On day 1, the app looks a bit underdeveloped, yet over time it’s certainly going to include pretty much every other feature currently available on other platforms.

6. Rayman Adventures

Excellent gameplay and jaw-dropping production values make this action filled game a must for any gamer. What stands out about it is that you can only play it by using the Siri Remote. All you have to do is control the interactions, punches, and jumps in order to complete each area and advance to the next. If you want, then you can even use an analog stick or D-pad to gain control of Rayman’s movements. If we are to judge by looks alone, this title looks very much like a console game. Just keep in mind that if you want to play it, you can only play it on the Apple TV. Rayman Adventures has been exclusively released for the tvOS platform.

7. Jetpack Joyride

Ever since it was released on the iOS, JetPack Joyride has seen great support and updates. In fact, the Apple TV version is probably the best so far. When you first start playing the game, you’ll start to slowly appreciate the soundtrack which in our opinion is excellent. For this purpose you’d better have some good quality TV speakers or maybe some good headphones. With a Back to the Future theme, JetPack Joyride lets you live your Delorean fantasies and step into a world where adventure and fun is your only cup of tea.

8. YouTube

If we judge it by interface alone, YouTube on the Apple TV is visually sparing. On the other hand, it’s packed with free and high quality video content. While in the early days of YouTube there wasn’t too much content to enjoy, things have now changed dramatically. In fact, there’s a lot of professional content you can watch on the platform. From movies to professional quality videos, YouTube is certainly an app that you definitely need to install on your Apple TV.

9. Asphalt 8: Airborne

Are you into car games? If the answer is yes, then you have to give Asphalt 8: Airborne a shot. Developed by Gameloft, this is a sharp looking 3D driving game that you can enjoy playing on your Apple TV. The game not only looks great, but also has an impressive soundtrack, a lot of unlockable content, and it’s overall very fun to play. What we didn’t quite like about it are the long loading times. If you’re willing to put up with that, then Asphalt 8: Airborne is definitely a keeper!

These are the top Apple TV apps you should download on your Apple TV 4th generation. Try them and don’t forget to let us know more about your favorite one in the comment section below!

The post 9 Apps You Should Download On Your ATV4 appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

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!

The post Can You Control Your Apple TV Without The Remote? appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

1. tvProximity

If you’re an app developer and work with beacons, then you will absolutely love this app. If you don’t know what a beacon is, well, beacons are basically a small Bluetooth emitter that makes it possible for you to track people’s phones and based on their location, send them real time updates. Beacons are actually used in a wide range of industries, mainly for the purpose of helping people find great deals on products and also use coupons. Once you install tvProximity, your TV will act as a beacon which you’ll find very useful for application testing.

2. Bitcoin Monitor

Those who trade Bitcoin need to have this app installed on their Apple TV right away. Thanks to Bitcoin Monitor, you can view the real time price of Bitcoin, but also its price across different exchanges. The current rate is displayed in a very large font, meaning you can easily see it from across the room. You’ll also be able to gain access to a graph that details BTC volatility over the past thirty days. BTC rates are updated every 5 seconds or so.

3. Real Kick Soccer Pro

Who doesn’t love football? If you’re also a football fan, then you may want to get Real Kick Soccer Pro from the apple tv app store as soon as possible. This is a great app if you want to practice your freekick and penalty skills in the comfort of your own home. Swinging towards the goal to shoot low, high, hard, chip shots, and curve balls is simple and you do that by using the Siri Remote. Sure enough, this is not FIFA 2017, but it’s the closest to experiencing a match of football in the comfort of your own home. Give it a shot and we guarantee you’ll love it!

4. iBooks StoryTime

Have you ever wanted to bring iBooks to the big screen? Well, now you can! We’re not saying that you can now use your TV to read books off of it. However, you can give your friends and family a new way to experience books. The Read-Aloud function features excellent illustrations and narration that makes for a very unique experience. Use it once and we guarantee you won’t go back to simply reading books anymore.

5. Lara Croft GO

Square Enix Montreal is probably one of the most popular game developers in recent history. In fact, if you played the Hitman franchise, then you know for sure who these guys are. Thanks to the massive success they had with Hitman, Square Enix decided to also start working on the latest Lara Croft title. Lara Croft GO is currently available on the Apple TV and it’s very much fun to play. You’ll play the famous Tomb Raider who explores forgotten and lost worlds in a very fun, creative, yet also addictive turn based puzzler.

6. Minecraft: Apple TV Edition

The Apple TV edition of the building block sensation has just reached your living room. You can now play Minecraft on your Apple TV and boy is it so much fun! Discover amazing things, build new worlds and put your creativity to the test with the latest Minecraft edition for your Apple TV. You can get unlimited resources if you play in creative mode or if you want to put your Minecraft skills to the test, then go for the survival mode. Fend off the dangerous mobs by crafting armor and weapons and show your might in one of the most played games of the decade!

7. Tiny Wings TV

Check out the apple tv apps store for the Tiny Wings TV app and start having fun! This is a very engaging game that features twenty five hand designed levels, a split screen multiplayer function, but also a Flight School mode. Better yet, thanks to iCloud, you can easily sync your progress across the iOS and Apple TV. How great is that?

8. Amazon

The Amazon app is one of those apple tv 3rd generation apps that will give the competition a run for its money. Well, at least when it comes to reach. Amazon is simply everywhere, including on your tablet, mobile phone and now it’s in your home as well. With the Apple TV version, you can now shop directly from your Apple TV. Browsing Amazon can be easily done by using Siri voice search. However, if you’d like to enable 1 touch purchasing, then you’ll have to use your Prime login details. Those who don’t have Prime won’t be able to purchase products, yet you can still browse Amazon by using the Apple TV app version.

9. Tinder

If you had it on your mobile phone, but thought that wasn’t enough, rest assured. You can now download and use Tinder on your Apple TV as well. This is one of those apps on apple tv that you’ll certainly be surprised to find you can use it on your Apple TV. After all, we’re used to using it on a mobile device. Even so, with Tinder you no longer need to worry about going out to meet people since you can do so by using the app. You can use the touch surface of your Apple TV remote to swipe left or right which is rather fun. Just give it a try and you won’t be disappointed!

10. Zova

If you gained a few pounds in the last few weeks and would like to get in shape fast, then you may want to download Zova. This is one app on our apple tv apps list that you don’t want to miss, since it helps you burn off extra calories like crazy. One of the things you’ll love about it is that it helps tailor workouts to meet your specific fitness goals. On top of that, it will only suggest workouts that you can do in front of your TV from the comfort of your own home. Talk about customer satisfaction!

These are the hottest Apps for the Apple TV that you absolutely need to have. Download them now to take your Apple TV experience to the next level!

The post 10 Apps On Apple TV You Should Download Right Now appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

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.

Build quality, hardware, size, and price

Even though it’s a few years old, no one can deny that the apple tv 3rd gen looks amazing. It measures 23 millimeters in height, and 100 millimeters square. In fact, it’s has such a small form factor that you can easily place it on your TV without worrying about it taking too much space. If you check the back of the device, you’ll notice there are several ports. These include optical S/PDIF, HDMI, Ethernet (10/100 Megabits), and a micro USB port. However, according to Apple, this port is for diagnostics only.

The Apple TV also features a dual band 802.11n Wi-Fi, meaning that it can effectively connect to 2.4 GHz and also 5GHz networks. If you’re curious about the apple tv 3rd generation price, you can currently get it for as little as $59. The apple tv 3rd generation Amazon may be cheaper, so be sure to check its price on Amazon as well.

Setup and control

You can easily control the Apple TV via its sleek and small, yet very thin aluminum remote. Even better, the remote is very simple to use, features a central Select button, but also a 4 way cursor pad that you can use to navigate through menus.

It’s possible to also use the Remote application for your iPad or iPhone. With it, you can control your Apple TV from your tablet or phone. What’s great about the app is that you don’t require line of sight, since it works over Wi-Fi.

To set up the Apple TV, you just have to plug in the soft-touch power cable and then hook it up to the HDMI port of your TV. Keep in mind that Apple doesn’t provide an HDMI cable, so you should get one separately. Next, all you have to do is enter your Apple ID and password. Once you do that you’ll be taken to the home screen.

Interface

What many will love about the Apple TV is the fact it has one of the simplest interfaces you’ll ever find on a media streamer. The icons on the home screen are large, therefore easy to navigate through. It’s important to mention that the top row is dedicated to Apple Services. You cannot delete them, but you can reorder them. The Apple TV runs on TVOS which works very smoothly. Even though it’s a bit old, the Apple TV 3rd gen has hands down one of the best operating systems ever put in a streaming device.

Content and AirPlay

The reason why people get an Apple TV is to consume content and there are many ways for them to do that. You can use apps, but you can also use AirPlay. AirPlay allows you to beam content from your Mac, tablet or smartphone to your Apple TV. This means that almost any content you can watch on your smartphone can also be beamed to your Apple TV.

If you want, you can also use AirPlay’s Mirroring function. As the name suggests, you’ll be able to send what you see on your laptop, tablet or smartphone to your TV. This can be very useful if you want to watch a movie with your friends or someone else.

Apple movies and TV

One of the best things about the Apple TV is that you can rent and also purchase TV shows and HD movies from Apple’s collection. In fact, Apple has the second largest collection of content (Sky Now ranks first) you can choose from, so no matter what TV show or movie you want to see, there’s a good chance Apple has it.

If you want, then you can also watch content you purchased from another device. Dolby Digital surround tracks are also supported by Apple (where available). Therefore, if you’re into surround sound, then just plug your Apple TV into an audio video receiver and enjoy it! One thing to bear in mind when purchasing live shows from Apple is that its version is usually a day behind the live broadcast.

Photos and iCloud

With photographs from your Mac, iPad, and iPhone going into iCloud, you can easily view them on your Apple TV at any given time. Not only that, but all the content you uploaded, such as your shared streams, photo stream, movies, etc can be accessed from the interface. Based on your internet connection, the content can be viewed pretty fast.

You may also have photographs that have yet to be uploaded to iCloud. If that’s the case, then you can use AirPlay to view on them your Apple TV.

Apple music

By using the music app, you can easily browse through the music store to play any songs that you may have purchased. If you have an iTunes Match subscription, then the songs you ripped from CDs are also made available.

Summary

If you’re the type who wants to have access to all his favorite TV shows and movies at any given them, time you certainly need to buy apple tv 3rd generation. Its impressively simple interface, great functionality, amazing build quality, but also low price make it a solid choice for anybody looking for an affordable, yet top quality streaming device.

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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.

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.

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.

The post How to Factory Reset your Apple TV in just a few steps appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Requirements for installing the chromecast extension

One of the first things you need to keep in mind when it comes to installing the extension is that it’s currently supported only by Chrome and Opera. If you don’t know what Google Chrome is, well, this is a free browser that competes with Apple’s Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and IE.

The operating systems the browser is available for include Mac, Linux, and Windows. Right now we’re going to tell you how to install the chromecast extension on your Chromecast. If you don’t have Chrome installed yet, be sure to download and install it first.

Installing chrome with the Chromecast Extension

You can skip this step if you already have Google Chrome installed. It’s also important to mention that if you want, then you can also install Chrome for iOS and Android devices. Now, in order to download and install Google Chrome, you’ll need to take the following steps:

1. Download Google Chrome from here. Once the link loads, you should click on Download Chrome and the download will start.
2. Once the installation is complete, the installer will launch automatically. If it doesn’t, then you need to locate where the file was downloaded and start the installation manually.
3. At this point the installation process will begin. Be patient as your computer installs Google Chrome. Once Chrome is installed, you can proceed to installing the chromecast extension.

Chromecast extension installation

Open up Chrome on your PC and head over to the following link. Once you’re there, you’ll have to add it to Chrome by clicking the button. Your computer will not start to download and install the chromecast plug-in. Once complete, you’ll notice a small icon if you look at the top right corner of your browser.

Cast videos

At this point you’ll finally be able to cast videos from your computer to your Chromecast. To do that, you have to open any website that you want to cast in Chrome. Once you open it, click on the Chromecast icon in the top right corner. You’ll also have to choose which Chromecast you want to cast to. To stop the casting, you just need to click the cast icon again. The process is very simple, but we guarantee that you’re going to have a lot of fun using this amazingly useful extension.

Installing the Google Chrome extension in Opera

While in the past the chromecast plugin was only available for the Chrome browser, it seems that now it can also be used with Opera. As you may very well know, Opera is one of the most popular browsers in the world and not only is it fast, but it also offers you a lot of options to make the most of it. Being able to install the Google extension on it is one of them. Here’s a guide on how you can do that.

How to install the chromecast extension in Opera?

As you may have imagined, installing the extension in Opera is rather simple. You will need to be a bit patient and thorough though. In our example, we chose to use the Google Cast extension so we can make the most of Chromecast. Here are the steps you should take to install the chromecast extension in Opera:

1. Go online and download Opera.
2. Next, you need to download the Chrome extension that you can find in the add-on galley in Opera.
3. Go to the Google cast extension page in Chrome.
4. Click on Download Chrome Extension and then click to add it to Opera.
5. Once you do that, you’ll be greeted with a message saying that the extension was disabled since it comes from a source they cannot verify. Here you just have to click on Go.
6. You’re now in the Extensions page in Opera where you should click on Install in the Google Cast extension.
7. You’ll be asked once again by Opera to confirm that you want to do this, so please do so.

Once you do that, you’ll have managed to install the chromecast extension for Opera. Enjoy using it in the same way you’d use it in Chrome!

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Apple announced that app developers can now submit apps to its Apple TV App Store of sizes ranging anywhere from 200 MB to 4 GB. This is very good news for millions of developers, since it makes it easier for them to create more feature rich apps, including games. For a number of years the limit imposed by Apple sat at 200 MB, but the latest change in policy seems to bode well for both the company and the developers. Apple said that the increased size limit should provide a rich and full user experience upon installation. Apple also said that just like before, applications can host up to 20 gigabytes of extra content from the App Store.

With such a great announcement made by the Cupertino based company, many have started to speculate that Apple is paving the way for the 5th Generation of their popular Apple TV. The storage options for it may also be doubled, since the current 32 GB and 64 GB are too small. With the new changes, downloading a few large applications would easily fill up the device. However, a 256GB version of the Apple TV would easily accommodate several such apps.

According to developer Steve Troughton Smith, apps that are a few GB in size are usually games, so there is a possibility that the future Apple TV may double as a gaming console. Steve continued to say that if Apple wishes to, they could easily fit a modern GPU and CPU into their upcoming Apple TV and make it a lot more powerful than many of the gaming consoles currently on the market. Steve specifically referred to the Switch, which is Nintendo’s newest gaming console.

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