remote – Apple TV Hacks https://www.appletvhacks.net Get more from your shiny box of joy: Taking Apple TVs to the next level Sun, 22 Jan 2017 18:40:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 How to Add or Install Apps on your Apple TV https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/22/add-install-apps-apple-tv/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/22/add-install-apps-apple-tv/#respond Sun, 22 Jan 2017 18:39:50 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=111023 As a proud Apple TV user, the first thing you will want to know after you get it is how to download apps on apple tv. After all, the Apple TV is an excellent device for streaming music, movies, and...

The post How to Add or Install Apps on your Apple TV appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
As a proud Apple TV user, the first thing you will want to know after you get it is how to download apps on apple tv. After all, the Apple TV is an excellent device for streaming music, movies, and TV from the internet to your TV. Whether it’s content from Hulu, a song you found on Apple Music or a movie you rented from the iTunes Store, thanks to the Apple TV you can easily enjoy your favorite digital content on the big screen and from the comfort of your favorite armchair (or sofa).

One thing you need to know about the Apple TV is that it comes preinstalled with a lot of useful apps. Some of them include MLB.TV, YouTube, WatchESPN, HBO GO, but also PBS, Hulu, Netflix, and more. However, maybe these apps are not enough for you and you’d like to add more apps to it. If that’s the case though, then how to add apps to apple tv? Well, about that and more we’re going to tell you more below. One more thing to keep in mind: adding apps to apple tv also depends on the Apple TV model you have.

4th Gen Apple TV: Yes

Okay, so you have a 4th Gen Apple TV and you would like to add apps to apple tv. Can you do that? Fortunately, the answer is yes! The 4th Gen Apple TV was introduced in late 2015 and as Tim Cook said at the time, the TV was built around the idea that applications are the future of TV.

When it comes to installing the apps on your device, it’s as simple as installing them on your iPad or iPhone. It’s true that the operating system is a bit different and this means the installation process also differs. However, it’s not a big difference. Here’s a short guide on how you can download apps on apple tv and install them.

  1. Search for the app you want to install, highlight it and then view the detail screen for it by clicking the touchpad.
  2. At this screen, you’ll need to click the Install button. If the app is paid, you’ll see a price instead of the Install button. Begin the installation by highlighting the button and clicking the touchpad.
  3. To proceed with the installation, you may need to enter your Apple ID password. Do this by using the onscreen keyboard and the remote control.
  4. Once the installation is launched, you’ll notice an icon appearing in the button that shows how long until the installer completes.
  5. When the app is finally downloaded and installed, the button’s label will change to Open. You can open the application by selecting it or returning to your Apple TV’s home screen.

3rd Gen Apple TV and Earlier: Channels are added regularly by Apple

Can you download apps on apple tv 3rd gen? Unfortunately, the answer is no, but luckily Apple does add them on a regular basis. For instance, when the Apple TV was launched, it featured less than 10 channels of online content. Currently, there are dozens of them and what’s surprising is that Apple continues to add a lot of them as new ones appear.

It’s important to note that there isn’t a fixed schedule for new channels to be added to the Apple TV and users also have no control over whether they’re installed or not. So if you just turned on your Apple TV and noticed a new icon on the home screen, then this means that you can access new content. There are also cases when new applications are bundled together with certain updates to the Apple TV’s software. These days though, channels are added to your Apple TV as they’re ready.

3rd Gen Apple TV and earlier: No

If you want to know how to get apps on apple tv 3rd generation, well, you cannot actually do that. While it’s true that the operating system for the Apple TV 3rd Gen and earlier is similar to the one the iPad and the iPhone use, it has limited features. Most importantly, you won’t be able to download apps and install them. Fortunately, new apps do get added to it.

Adding apps via Jailbreak

Without a doubt, there are many people who aren’t happy with the idea that Apple is the only one that decides what apps make the cut and which apps do not. Therefore, if you’d like to install apps that Apple currently doesn’t allow, then you may want to jailbreak your device. Jailbreaking is a process that makes certain changes to the device’s core software in order to remove certain restrictions imposed by Apple (usually on installing software).

If you would like to actually jailbreak your device, then you can do so by using special software. Some examples include Pangu, iJailbreakPro (this is a paid tool), and Seas0nPass (free tool). Jailbreaking may not be possible on all Apple TVs (firmware version is very important as well), so be sure to keep that in mind before deciding to jailbreak your device.

Once the jailbreaking process is over, you can proceed to install tools such as XMBC or Plex so you can access content that Apple currently restricts. At this point you may be wondering “can you add apps to apple tv?”. Sure, you can install a lot more apps than before, but the apps need to be compatible with your Apple TV.

Now that you know how to get new apps on apple tv, you can start checking the most popular ones and see how you like using them with your Apple TV. Have fun!

The post How to Add or Install Apps on your Apple TV appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/22/add-install-apps-apple-tv/feed/ 0
What generation is my Apple tv? https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/18/generation-apple-tv/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/18/generation-apple-tv/#respond Wed, 18 Jan 2017 19:39:03 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=110989 One of the first things you need to know about your Apple TV is that the 3rd generation consists of 2 models, while the 4th generation consists of a single model. While they do share a lot of similarities, they...

The post What generation is my Apple tv? appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
One of the first things you need to know about your Apple TV is that the 3rd generation consists of 2 models, while the 4th generation consists of a single model. While they do share a lot of similarities, they differ quite a bit in terms of software and hardware. Therefore, if you’re asking yourself “what generation is my apple tv”, then rest assured since below we’ll tell you more about this.

Connectivity and External Differences

On the outside, the third generation Apple TV and below, but also the 4th generation models and above can be easily confused. While it’s true that they have the same footprint, the latest iteration is about 1/3 lbs heavier and about half an inch taller than the third generation Apple TV.

In terms of connectivity, the third and fourth generation Apple TVs are quite different. Whether the fourth generation is better than the third one or vice versa in this regard is all up to you.

Both generations feature a 10/100 Base-T Ethernet port and a power connect. However, in all other aspects they do vary.

3rd generation Apple TV: This Apple TV iteration features a Micro USB port, an optical out audio port, and an HDMI port. It also features support for Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and 802.11a/b/g/n wireless.

4th generation Apple TV: Compared to the previous generation, the 4th generation Apple TV features a USB-C port and an HDMI port version 1.4. While you don’t get an optical audio out port, you do get 802.11AC Wi-Fi capability (MIMO). The latest Apple TV model also supports Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.

Remote Differences

While it’s true that both Apple TVs (3rd and 4th gen) support remotes, the fourth generation is a lot more advanced.

3rd generation: The third gen Apple TV remote is silver and features dedicated Play/Pause, Menu, and directional key buttons.

4th generation: The 4th gen Apple TV remote is made of aluminum and comes in black. It sports a lot of features, including dedicated buttons for Siri, Play/Pause, Up/Down, Home, Menu, but also a gyroscope, an internal accelerometer, a Glass Touch surface (which is great for directional control) , but also features 2 microphones. Thanks to Siri Voice Command, you can control your Apple TV by issuing voice commands.

It’s true that the Apple TV 4th gen remote is a lot more advanced and comes with great features, but its build quality is not that great. On top of that, it now comes with rechargeable batteries that will last you months, instead of years as it was the case with previous generation Apple TV remotes. The remote also supports 3rd party controllers which may potentially open productivity and gaming possibilities.

Identification Differences

If you put them next to each other, the third and fourth generation Apple TVs are easy to differentiate. On the other hand, there are 2 third generation iterations, and the second generation of the Apple TV looks visually the same as the third generation. Because of that, identifying them by looks alone is not feasible.

To better identify what generation your Apple TV is, you need to check their EMC and Model Number. You can check these by turning the Apple TV upside down checking the small text there.

Apple TV Subfamily Model No. EMC No.
 4th gen 4nd Gen A1625 2907
3rd Gen, 2013 3rd Gen A1469 2633
3rd Gen, 2012 3rd Gen A1427 2528
2nd Gen 2nd Gen A1378 2411

Internal Differences

If we are to compare the hardware of the third and fourth generation Apple TV, then you’ll see there are many differences between them. For example, the Apple TV third generation features a twenty eight nanometer Apple A5 CPU (single core), 8GB of storage (flash), and 512MB RAM.

The fourth generation on the other hand features a twenty nanometer A8 CPU (dual core), between 32GB and 64GB of storage (flash), and 2GB of RAM.

While the 4th generation does have much faster and newer hardware than the previous generation, both of them do not yet support 4K video.

Software Differences

Both Apple TV generations are based on the iOS platform, but at the same time they run on different OS.

The Apple TV third generation features the 5.1 Apple TV version which offers support for selective application-like functionality and built-in channels.

The Apple TV fourth generation runs on the tvOS which allows you to connect to an app store and use fully fledged apps.

While Apple is dedicated to updating its products and software for the Apple TV third generation, we can safely assume that they won’t be doing so much longer. After all, they’re currently focused on the tvOS and working hard towards improving it.

The post What generation is my Apple tv? appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/18/generation-apple-tv/feed/ 0
What is Airplay Mirroring and why should you care? https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/14/airplay-mirroring/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/14/airplay-mirroring/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2017 21:45:30 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=111028 What is airplay mirroring? Shortly said, it’s one of the best features on iOS. As you can tell by the name, this is a feature that allows you to mirror your iPad screen to a nearby Mac or Apple TV....

The post What is Airplay Mirroring and why should you care? appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
What is airplay mirroring? Shortly said, it’s one of the best features on iOS. As you can tell by the name, this is a feature that allows you to mirror your iPad screen to a nearby Mac or Apple TV. This means that whatever you’re doing on it can now be viewed on a bigger screen. As you can imagine, this is truly a great feature for demos, screencasts, and presentations, but also for gaming and entertainment as well.

AirPlay requirements

One thing you need to know about AirPlay is that you can use it on basically any device that Apple currently sells. This important and incredible feature was introduced with iTunes 10 for the Mac. Later on, Apple decided to also add it to the iOS with version 4.2 on the iPad and version 4 on the iPhone.

To run AirPlay, you need to have the following:

  1. At least iOS 4.2
  2. A 2011 Mac or newer
  3. An Apple Watch
  4. At least an iPhone 3GS
  5. Any iPad model
  6. At least a second Gen iPod touch

Unfortunately, you cannot use AirPlay on the original iPod touch, iPhone, and on the iPhone 3G.

AirPlay for Photos, videos, and music

With AirPlay, you can stream video, music, and photos from your iOS device to Wi-Fi connected stereo components, speakers, and computers. However, they all need to be AirPlay compatible to begin with.

While that’s not possible for all components, a lot of manufacturers have begun to release products that support AirPlay.

If you do have a pair of speakers though that doesn’t support AirPlay, you can still use AirPlay with them. How? Well, with an AirPort Express of course! This is a small Wi-Fi base station that you can easily use with AirPlay. All you have to do to use your speakers with AirPlay is connect AirPort express to the Wi-Fi network and then use the appropriate cables to connect the speakers to it. Once you do that, you’ll be able to stream music to your speakers.

If you have a 2nd Gen Apple TV, you should know that it works in the same way with your home theater system or your big screen TV.

Just keep in mind that you need to make sure all devices use AirPlay and share the same Wi-Fi network. For example, you cannot use your iPhone at work in order to stream music to your car.

AirPrint: AirPlay for printing

Did you know that AirPlay also makes it easy for you to print content from your iPhone or any other compatible iOS device to Wi-Fi connected printers that support this technology? You may actually have a printer that doesn’t support AirPrint and if that’s the case, then don’t worry about it. You can easily connect it to an AirPort express (as you did with the speakers) and make it compatible.

AirPlay Mirroring

Generally speaking, AirPlay Mirroring is used in order to display content from devices with smaller screens to bigger screen devices (such as your HDTV). Thanks to AirPlay, you can show the video, game, website or any other content you’re currently watching to your friends, family, coworkers, and more. You can do this via Wi-Fi, but the good news is that you can also achieve it via wire mirroring.

Using this method, you’ll need a cable that connects the iOS device to the TV (basically, an HDMI cable). For this type of mirroring you do not need to have an Apple TV. As for the devices that support AirPlay Mirroring, they include:

  1. 2nd Gen Apple TV or newer.
  2. Mac.
  3. iPad 2 and newer.
  4. iPhone 4s and newer.

How to enable AirPlay and stream music/movies on the iPhone

To do this, the first thing you need to do is download 5KPlayer and then launch it. By doing so, you’ll enable iPhone to PC/Mac AirPlay that is otherwise not possible by using independent AirPlay.

Thanks to this connection, you’ll be able to turn your iPhone into an AirPlay sender to PC/Mac to enjoy your favorite music or video content.

Instructions:

  1. Connect the iPhone and the PC/Mac so you can activate AirPlay. Prior to turning on AirPlay, you need to ensure that your PC/Mac and iPhone are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. If your iOS version is 8, 9 or newer, you need to launch the control center and then enable AirPlay from there.
  3. Thanks to the AirPlay server 5KPlayer, you can enable AirPlay to your PC or Mac so you can then stream videos from your personal computer to your Apple TV.

To turn on AirPlay on your Mac, be sure to take the following steps:

  1. Download 5KPlayer on your Mac and install it.
  2. Tap the AirPlay icon to activate AirPlay. A user guide will appear if you click the AirPlay icon in the main interface. Please note that if 5KPlayer acts as a receiver on the Mac, the process ends here.

AirPlay supported files

AirPlay supports a lot of files, including MP3, AAC, M4A, MOV, M4V, and MP4. If you want to stream files of a different format, then you’ll need to cover them to one of the supported file formats before you can play them.

AirPlay is by far one of the best features Apple has introduced to its devices, making it a great way to share content with friends, family, and coworkers in a few simple taps. Now that you know how useful it is, how about you give it a try and let us know how you like it?

The post What is Airplay Mirroring and why should you care? appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/14/airplay-mirroring/feed/ 1
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...

The post How to charge the Apple TV remote appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
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!

The post How to charge the Apple TV remote appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/13/charge-apple-tv-remote/feed/ 0
What is Apple TV good for and why should you get one? https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/12/apple-tv-device-define/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/12/apple-tv-device-define/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2017 00:01:23 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=111073 What is apple TV good for? Well, if you’ve never used an Apple TV before and you’re wondering why you need to get one, then you’re in the right place. First of all, with an Apple TV you gain access...

The post What is Apple TV good for and why should you get one? appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
What is apple TV good for? Well, if you’ve never used an Apple TV before and you’re wondering why you need to get one, then you’re in the right place. First of all, with an Apple TV you gain access to thousands of TV shows, movies, apps, and a lot of high quality content. Secondly, many apps on the App Store are very affordably priced, so you don’t need to worry about poking your wallet to get some if you really want to. If you never had an Apple TV before, then below we’ll tell you more about it and why you may need to get one fast.

Pros

  1. The Apple TV is a stylish, easy to use and affordable set top box.
  2. It costs $149 and $199 for the 32GB and 64GB variant, respectively.

Cons

  1. The Apple TV ties in to iTunes, which some people may not really like.

What is Apple TV?

Apple TV Buy Reasons

The Apple TV is basically a set top box that give you access to a lot of content, including movies, TV shows, apps, and more. You can purchase them or rent them from iTunes and other services, including Netflix, YouTube, etc. In other words, Apple TV simply takes the content that would otherwise be tied to your Mac, iPad, and iPhone and lets you enjoy it on a bigger screen. In terms of quality, the Apple TV is capable of outputting content in Full HD resolution.

Apple TV channels

One thing you need to know is that the Apple TV doesn’t actually offer you access to free to air channels as it’s the case with a regular TV. On top of that, it’s also not a digital video recorder that can help you record your favorite movies or shows while you’re at work. On the other hand, it does offer you access to channels where you can watch a lot of content based on your preferences. You can also use OnDemand services in the same way you would on your iPad and iPhone.

If you’re in the US, then by getting an Apple TV you can gain access to a lot of useful apps and channels. Some examples include WatchESPN, Lifetime, History, but also A&E, PBS, Disney Junior, Disney XD, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, and more. The good news is that Apple adds new channels quite frequently, so the amount of content you can access greatly increases over time. This is amazing if you’re the type who wants to keep up with the latest TV shows and movies.

Can I use my current TV with it?

One of the first things you need to know if you want to get an Apple TV is whether your current TV is compatible with it. As long as your TV has an HDMI port, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to use the Apple TV with it. Keep in mind that your TV needs to also be capable of 720P or Full HD output at 50/60Hz. While the chance your TV may not meet these requirements is low, there may be expectations. This is usually the case if you have an old CRT TV. Also, in order to access content stores, including the iTunes store, you need to have a broadband connection.

What can you play on the Apple TV?

The Apple TV supports a wide range of file formats, including M-PEG, MPEG-4, and H.264. In terms of audio, it supports Audible (formats two, three, four), MP3 VBR, MP3, protected AAC, AAC, HE-AAC (V1), WAV, and Apple Lossless. In terms of image formats, the Apple TV supports TIFF, GIF, and JPEG images.Apple tv what can it play

One of the most important things you need to know about the Apple TV is that you can use it to turn your dumb TV into a smart TV. You can easily access the likes of Vimeo, YouTube, Netflix, but also iTunes movies and TV programs to enjoy the latest video content. Better yet, you can also view images on Flickr and watch Sky news live.

Verdict

As you can see, there are many things to like about the Apple TV. First of all, it’s simple to use and it’s very well built as well. On the other hand, some people may argue that they don’t really have access to as much content as they would like. If you look at the competition (we’re looking at you Roku!) you’ll notice that there are other options you may want to check out.

Truth be said, there are certain features that will only work with the Apple TV, so that’s also something you may want to bear in mind. All in all, the Apple TV is a great way to access large libraries of content and keep up with your favorite movies and TV shows. If you’re a couch potato or find yourself spending too much time looking for great content on your cable TV, then you may want to switch to the Apple TV as soon as possible. It’s definitely worth it!

The post What is Apple TV good for and why should you get one? appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/12/apple-tv-device-define/feed/ 1
How to check your Apple tv remote battery life https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/11/check-apple-tv-remote-battery-life-2/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/11/check-apple-tv-remote-battery-life-2/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2017 22:51:17 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=110969 For its Apple TV remotes and Macs, Apple has always opted for replaceable batteries, yet it seems that the new Siri or fourth gen Apple TV remote doesn’t feature a replaceable battery anymore. Apple has opted for an apple tv...

The post How to check your Apple tv remote battery life appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
For its Apple TV remotes and Macs, Apple has always opted for replaceable batteries, yet it seems that the new Siri or fourth gen Apple TV remote doesn’t feature a replaceable battery anymore. Apple has opted for an apple tv remote battery that you can recharge once the remote is out of juice. While in the past remotes sporting regular batteries could last for years, the new rechargeable battery for apple tv remote won’t last that long. The reason for this is because the new Siri remote not only features a microphone, but also a touchpad, meaning that it’s going to require a lot more power for these functions.

Power up

apple tv remote batteries

Instead of a USB port, the Siri remote features a Lightning port. It also comes with a Lightning to USB cable for charging purposes. According to Apple, the new rechargeable battery in its remote can last for months on a single charge (with normal use). While this is significantly less than the battery life touted by its past remotes that used regular apple tv remote batteries, it does help save you a trip to the local electronics store to get new batteries.

No LED battery life indicator

As we’ve gotten used by Apple, there’s no LED light to notify you about how much power is left in the battery. So instead of waiting for the batteries for apple tv remote to drain, is there another way you could check how much power you have left and how long you can use the remote until you need to replace the batteries? Well, the good news is that you can actually do that.

Charging the remote

If your apple tv remote control stopped working, then you should charge it. However, if your remote control still works, then you should turn on your Apple TV and then go to Settings.

apple tv remote

Once you’re there, navigate to Removes and devices and then click on Bluetooth. At this point, you’ll see every Bluetooth device connected to your machine. By default, the only Bluetooth connected device is the Apple TV remote.

Other Bluetooth connected devices

If you have other connected devices (such as game controllers) or remote controls, you’ll also see them displayed in this screen.

It’s here that you can finally check the apple tv remote battery life. You’ll see it displayed as an icon at the right side of its name. While the amount of power left in the batteries is not displayed in a percentage amount, the visual representation should at least give you an idea of how long you can use the remote before you need to recharge it.

The new 4th Generation Apple TV remote may not provide the same batter life as past Apple remotes, but thanks to the new design change it’s thinner, lighter and easier to use. On top of that, it can also save you a trip to the store to get new batteries. While you may not appreciate that now, you will once you have to go out on a cold, rainy or snowy day just to get a new set of batteries for your apple tv remote.

The post How to check your Apple tv remote battery life appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
https://www.appletvhacks.net/2017/01/11/check-apple-tv-remote-battery-life-2/feed/ 1
CNET: new Apple TV Remote App with Siri Remote capabilities coming “this summer” https://www.appletvhacks.net/2016/06/16/new-apple-tv-remote-app-with-siri-remote-capabilities-coming-this-summer/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2016/06/16/new-apple-tv-remote-app-with-siri-remote-capabilities-coming-this-summer/#respond Wed, 15 Jun 2016 23:23:27 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=10602   On Monday, at the WWDC 2016 opening session, Apple announced that they are working on a new version of the Remote app. The Apple TV Remote App for iPhone and iPad will get a redesigned now playing screen with playback controls...

The post CNET: new Apple TV Remote App with Siri Remote capabilities coming “this summer” appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
 

On Monday, at the WWDC 2016 opening session, Apple announced that they are working on a new version of the Remote app. The Apple TV Remote App for iPhone and iPad will get a redesigned now playing screen with playback controls and, most importantly, all the features of the Apple TV Siri Remote, including touch navigation, Siri and game play support (the app will use the accelerometer or gyroscope for game play).

During the keynote, Apple didn’t give any details on when the new version of the app will be released. CNET has today learned that the redesigned app will be available this summer:

The all-new Remote app will be available this summer, according to an Apple representative who spoke with CNET and filled us in on some of the details.

Apple’s spokesperson told CNET that the new app will feature a microphone button, just like the one on the Siri remote and will supports most of the Siri remote features.

That means you can speak into your phone to search Apple TV and use other Siri features like “What did he say?”

remote2

Like the current Remote app, the new version will have a large swiping area similar to the Siri remote’s touchpad for navigation and selection. It will also have a Now Playing window that shows artwork and playback controls.

And of course, there’s a keyboard for text entry, complete with dictation if you don’t feel like typing on your phone.

According to CNET, the new Apple TV Remote App will control both the new (2015) and the old (2012) Apple TV.

Learn more about everything Apple announced at WWDC 2016.

AP2-ER-300x250

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

The post CNET: new Apple TV Remote App with Siri Remote capabilities coming “this summer” appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
https://www.appletvhacks.net/2016/06/16/new-apple-tv-remote-app-with-siri-remote-capabilities-coming-this-summer/feed/ 0
Apple announces new version of tvOS https://www.appletvhacks.net/2016/06/14/apple-announces-new-version-of-tvos/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2016/06/14/apple-announces-new-version-of-tvos/#respond Mon, 13 Jun 2016 23:50:21 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=10586   Apple today announced a major update to its tvOS operating system for Apple TV 4. New features include expanded Siri capabilities, single sign-on for Apple TV, dark mode, HomeKit suport, redesigned Apple Music, app badging and many more. New Siri features...

The post Apple announces new version of tvOS appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
 

Apple today announced a major update to its tvOS operating system for Apple TV 4. New features include expanded Siri capabilities, single sign-on for Apple TV, dark mode, HomeKit suport, redesigned Apple Music, app badging and many more.

New Siri features and functionality

  • Topic search for movies: the ability to ask Siri for a movie by topic or theme (e.g. “Show movies about baseball”)
  • YouTube search: users can ask Siri to search YouTube (coming later this month)
  • Live tune-in: ask Siri to go directly to a live channel inside a supported app, such as “Watch CBS News” or “Watch ESPN.”
  • Manage HomeKit accessories: Apple TV gives users control of HomeKit-enabled accessories. It also allows users to control HomeKit accessories when they are away from home or use it for home automation with the Home app on their iOS device.
ATV_Pre

Single sign-on for pay-TV apps

Customers in the US will have a simplified way of enjoying pay-TV video channels by using single sign-on. Starting this fall, users only have to sign in once on Apple TV to get immediate access to their favorite video channels that are included as part of their pay-TV subscription.

Once a user is signed into one network app, any other app on Apple TV from participating pay-TV providers will automatically log the user into all other supported apps requiring authentication.

Single sign-on will be available on both Apple TV and iOS.

single-sign-on-apple-tv

New tvOS APIs and tools available for developers include:

  • ReplayKit to enable developers to record and live broadcast from their apps;
  • PhotoKit to allow third-party app access to photos and videos in iCloud Photo Library and iCloud Shared Stream;
  • HomeKit to create apps to control HomeKit devices from Apple TV;
  • App badging on the Home screen, to make it easier for users to know something new for them is available inside an app; and,
  • Game Center enhancements and support for up to four game controllers at a time.
photoso-tv-s

Additional features and updates

  • iOS users can download the new Apple TV Remote app with touch navigation, Siri and game play support.
  • Apple Music has an all-new design. The Library, For You, Browse and Radio tabs have been completely redesigned, and a Search tab has been added “to make finding music even easier.”
  • Photos for Apple TV now supports the new Memories feature.
  • Users can now select a dark background for Apple TV.
  • Universal apps will now automatically download on Apple TV and show up on the Home screen when an app has been added to a user’s iOS device.
  • When a keyboard appears on Apple TV, one will also appear on nearby iOS devices that are logged into the same iCloud account, making entering text more convenient.

The new tvOS will be available this fall as a free software update for Apple TV.

AP2-ER-300x250

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

The post Apple announces new version of tvOS appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
https://www.appletvhacks.net/2016/06/14/apple-announces-new-version-of-tvos/feed/ 0
Control your Apple TV from your iPhone with CiderTV app https://www.appletvhacks.net/2016/06/10/control-your-apple-tv-from-your-iphone-with-cidertv-app/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2016/06/10/control-your-apple-tv-from-your-iphone-with-cidertv-app/#comments Fri, 10 Jun 2016 14:11:51 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=10578   CiderTV is a great alternative for Apple’s own Remote app as well as for the Siri Remote. It works perfectly with non-jailbroken 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation Apple TVs letting you to easily navigate menus with gestures, quickly send text queries with...

The post Control your Apple TV from your iPhone with CiderTV app appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
 

CiderTV is a great alternative for Apple’s own Remote app as well as for the Siri Remote. It works perfectly with non-jailbroken 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation Apple TVs letting you to easily navigate menus with gestures, quickly send text queries with built-in keyboard and control your TV volume from your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac.

The best part is that it lets you do all of this from your iPhone’s/iPad’s Lock screen (Notification Center widget), so there is no need to unlock your device every single time you need to use the app.

Just swipe down to open the widgets pane and control Apple TV even if iPhone/iPad is locked.

cidertv

(Note: to control Apple TV box from widget you need to pair it from the CiderTV app first and then add CiderTV widget to your Notification Center.)

The app also lets you connect to more than one Apple TV and access them all from one screen.

CiderTV is also available for Mac and Apple Watch, so you can control your Apple TV from your computer or even from your wrist.

cidertv-bottomback

Some of the basic gestures include:
– TAP to Select (Play/Pause)
– DOUBLE-TAP to go back
– LONG-TAP (press for a second) – go back to Home Screen
– SWIPE LEFT/RIGHT/UP/DOWN – move between menu items
– SWIPE LEFT/RIGHT – rewind or fast-forward. Further swipes will increase rewind/fast-forward speed.

CiderTV is available from the App Store for free.

The app is also available in Google Play Store.

AP2-ER-300x250

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

The post Control your Apple TV from your iPhone with CiderTV app appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
https://www.appletvhacks.net/2016/06/10/control-your-apple-tv-from-your-iphone-with-cidertv-app/feed/ 1
Apple granted patent for a 3D Apple TV Remote https://www.appletvhacks.net/2016/05/10/apple-granted-patent-for-a-3d-apple-tv-remote/ https://www.appletvhacks.net/2016/05/10/apple-granted-patent-for-a-3d-apple-tv-remote/#respond Tue, 10 May 2016 19:02:17 +0000 https://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=10426   Patently Apple reports that Apple has been granted a series of 65 patents today. Among them is patent for a 3D Apple TV remote control that could provide users with superior pointing accuracy and speed. However, the patent was filed...

The post Apple granted patent for a 3D Apple TV Remote appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
 

Patently Apple reports that Apple has been granted a series of 65 patents today. Among them is patent for a 3D Apple TV remote control that could provide users with superior pointing accuracy and speed. However, the patent was filed in… 2008. It’s called “GUI applications for use with 3D remote controller” and describes “a remote wand for controlling the operations of a media system”:

The wand may be operative to control the movement of a cursor displayed on screen by the position and orientation at which the wand is held. As the user moves the wand, the on-screen cursor may move. The user may use the wand to control a plurality of operations and applications that may be available from the media system, including for example zoom operations, a keyboard application, an image application, an illustration application, and a media application.

patent02

Patently Apple notes that “Apple’s invention gives us hope that one day they’ll finally get the Apple TV remote just right using their 3D technology using an accelerometer or gyroscope along with infrared technologies that would also provide zooming capabilities.”

In 2012, Apple won a similar patent for “a future 3D Apple TV remote.”

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

AirServer

The post Apple granted patent for a 3D Apple TV Remote appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

]]>
https://www.appletvhacks.net/2016/05/10/apple-granted-patent-for-a-3d-apple-tv-remote/feed/ 0