1. Apple Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard

You can use this sleek, completely cable-free aluminum Apple Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard anywhere within 30 feet of your Apple TV. Its compact design takes up 24 percent less space on your desktop than full-size keyboards, so you have extra room to move the keyboard around. You’ll also feel a difference when you type on its low-profile anodized aluminum enclosure with crisp, responsive keys. The Apple Wireless Keyboard requires just two AA batteries, and its intelligent power management system conserves battery life. So when you’re not using the keyboard, it automatically powers down. The instant you start typing, it turns back on.

Get it now for just $64.12.

2. Anker Bluetooth Ultra-Slim Keyboard

• Lightweight & compact: A third smaller than traditional keyboards 
• Comfortable keys: Type quietly and effortlessly on comfortable, low-profile keys
• Low ­power consumption: Lasts over three months (based on two hours use per day) with power-saving mode and space for two AAA batteries.

Get it now for just $16.99.

3. AmazonBasics Bluetooth Keyboard

• Slim, compact design features low-profile, scissor-switch keys
• Keyboard shortcuts enable easy access to home screen, media and volume control
• Uses 2 AAA batteries (included)
• Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging

Get it now for just $25.99.

4. Logitech Bluetooth Easy-Switch K811 Keyboard 

Logitech K811A is a beautifully designed illuminated keyboard with one touch easy-switching between all your Apple devices. No battery hassles – you can use the USB cable to recharge, even while you type. Unique Logitech keycap is designed for comfortable, whisper-quiet typing.

Get in now for $97.45.

5. iPazzPort Mini Keyboard with a sleeve for Apple TV remote control

This little but fully functional Bluetotth keyboard comes wrapped with a snug silicone case creating a sleeve for the Apple TV remote to be secured to the back of the keyboard
You can use the keyboard on top for text entry or flip it over for the convenient use of the traditional Apple TV functions of your existing remote control. The best of both worlds.

Get it now for just $19.99. 

6. Logitech diNovo Mini Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard

• Navigates and scrolls easily with combination touch pad/D-pad
• Entertainment-system controls like Play, Pause, Rewind, and Fast Forward
• Changes backlighting depending on functionality
• Also compatible with Logitech Revue

Get it now for just $51.95. 

7. iKross IKKB10 Flexible Bluetooth Wireless Silicone Keyboard

• Ultra portable, lightweight and flexible keyboard can be rolled up for easy storage and carry.
• Easy to clean spill-resistant silicone keys
• Powered by a built-in rechargeable battery
• Recharges through USB power source via mini-USB port
• QWERTY keyboard layout
• Dimensions: 8.50 x 3.35 x 0.12 inch (216 x 85 x 3 mm)

Get it now for just $22.99.

8. Jelly Comb Backlit 7-Colors Ultra Light & Slim Keyboard

• Multiple backlight color options.
• Ultra thin, sleek profile.
• Scissor-Switch keyboard provides you with very comfortable and pleasing typing experience.

Get it now for just $18.99.

9. Logitech Keys-To-Go Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Keyboard  

• Ultra-slim and light
• Durable and spill-resistant: Wipe able Fabric Skin protects the keyboard from spills, dirt and drops
• Comfortable typing: Well-spaced, full-size keys with iOS shortcuts for fast, familiar, accurate typing 
• Long-life rechargeable battery: Type for up to 3 months between charges (Based on 2 hours average usage per day)
• Simple setup: Pairs quickly and easily with iPad via Bluetooth connection

 Get it now for $74.95.

10. Microsoft Universal Foldable Keyboard

• Ultra-thin and lightweight: Only 5mm thin
• Bluetooth 4.0 technology, consuming less power
• Easy on/Easy off: Open the keyboard to connect to your device. Simply close the keyboard to shut it down.
• Full-size keyset: The full-size keyset provides fast, accurate typing.
• Spill-resistant design: Water repellent keyset and fabric helps protect against accidents.
• Rechargeable battery: The built-in rechargeable battery provides up to three months of usage on a single charge.

To be released on July 20, 2015. Pre-order now.

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I have a YouTube channel where I upload gameplay videos of the games I find interesting. But it has been a bit idle recently thanks to the dearth of good screen capturing softwares. I have been researching to find an ideal one, but most of them are directed towards Mac. As a PC user, I finally got the desired results with AirServer.

I had heard about AirServer before, but it filled the headlines some time ago when it gained Miracast support and enhanced performance features on PC. This is why I decided to give it a try.

AirServer is now called AirServer Universal and it turns your Windows PC into a universal mirroring receiver, allowing you to mirror using AirPlay and Miracast simultaneously to the same screen.

Setting up AirServer

As with most mirroring softwares, the setting up was pretty smooth. Once I downloaded a seven megabyte file, I was ready to start streaming in less than a minutes.

Those who have a firewall enabled will however need to exempt AirServer from its settings, which might be the only hiccup you’ll come across. Don’t worry, the instructions for the same come bundled with the software and will pop up during the setup. Just follow them and you will do just fine.

Mirroring to PC

As for my use, how my iOS screen gets recorded is more important than how it shows up on the PC screen. And that is why I have been coping with the subpar mirroring quality and occasional flickering I’ve had with other softwares, because the final recordings looked good with them. Or somewhere deep within, I believed that there was a limit of clarity one could achieve in such situations.

But the belief was blown to pieces by AirServer as I have been getting excellent results, even with the live stream. The lag is almost negligible and the least of all the apps I have tried.

So if your requirement involves you showing off your app or a mobile website directly on a PC, AirServer should do the trick for you.

Miracast with AirServer

AirServer Universan can simultaneously mirror both AirPlay and Miracast.

The best part is that there is no setup needed from the Android device. Just like you connect your iPhone or iPad to an Apple TV, you can Miracast your WP or Android device directly from the Settings.

As it turns out, not every PC is supported: the Miracast services in AirServer will work on all computers with WiFi adapter which has NDIS6,4 drivers (Windows 8.1). This is not a hardware limitation but a software (driver) limitation.

Check out system requirements for AirServer Universal.

iOS screen recording with AirServer

For me, this is the very reason I bought AirServer in the first place and, fortunately, it din’t disappoint. Unlike other softwares I’ve used in the past, I have more control over how the recording is stored, its resolution, type of audio output, refresh rates, contrast and sharpness, and much more.

I remember turning off 1080p streaming with other clients, but AirServer manages full HD easily even on my ULV processor. The results were stunning and I never experienced any loss of connection, glitches or bugs while recording.

Conclusion

AirServer is undoubtedly the best at what it does.

It can mirror multiple iOS devices simultaneously to your PC screen with ease and elegance. Though I am converting my free trial into a paid license only for its powerful recording features, I am sure its excellence in mirroring makes the possibilities endless for professionals. Especially if you can connect your PC to a projector, thanks to the bring-your-own-device feature, anybody can show off his screen with just a tap.

If you’re looking for the Miracast function, you might want to make sure you have a reasonably recent PC and a supported phone to make use of it. You can just drop in a mail to the ever-friendly AirServer support team to find out if your configuration supports casting feature.

You can check the AirServer website to read more about the features.

AirServer Universal is sold at $14.99 (consumer license), $7,99-$11.99 (educational license) or $19,99 (business license) and you can get it from here.

A free 7 day trial of a fully featured version is also available.

The post AirServer Universal – AirPlay and Miracast receiver for PC [Review] appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Microsoft Xim, launched back in October, brings a very useful concept to life – sharing photos across devices, just for viewing. Instead of a dozen friends hurling around to see the party pics on my phone or mailing the vacation photos to all my family members, I could just stream it to all of their phones at once and view them together.

ALSO CHECK OUT: The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Apple TV users

All connected users can pan, zoom and swipe together and add messages for a synchronised experience. It is available on iOS, Android and Windows, and fortunately, only one of the users in the group needs to have Microsoft Xim installed. The Xim photos expire after sometime, in case you’re wondering.

The app today received its biggest update yet, bringing support for streaming photos to various media devices and of course, Apple TV also gets a bite.

Now you can share the photos directly to the HDTV via Apple TV and enjoy with your family, even if it’s being shared to you by your brother miles away. Or you can slideshow the pictures shared with you by your client, for your colleagues over AirPlay on the over-the-head display.

Here is the complete changelog for the Microsoft Xim update 1.3:

• Now playing on the big screen! Display support for browser, Xbox One, Google Chromecast, AppleTV, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick
• Xim expiration set to one hour
• Bug fixes

Download Microsoft Xim for iOS for free.

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PC version of AirServer, one of the most advanced AirPlay receivers out there, just got a huge update: it’s now called AirServer Universal and it features full Miracast support.

Developed in partnership with Intel and Microsoft, AirServer Universal turns your Windows PC into a universal mirroring receiver, allowing you to mirror using AirPlay and Miracast simultaneously to the same screen.

It means that using AirServer Universal you can now wirelessly share the screen of any device that supports AirPlay mirroring (iPhone, iPad) or Miracast (Surface, Windows Phone or Android devices) to your computer, and from there, to your projector, smartboard or HDTV.

There is obviously no need to install anything on a AirPlay or Miracast compatible devices. Even projecting from Windows 8.1 based tablet or PC without installing any 3rd party utility is fully supported.

According to the developers, AirServer Universal is the “world’s first and only” BYOD (bring your own device) solution that enables collaboration across different apps across platforms.

We achieve this by sending the entire display over AirPlay or Miracast. For the first time you can exercise the freedom of your device choice.

AirServer Universal is fully compatible with the built-in “Project” feature in Windows 8.1 based tablets and PCs such as Microsoft Surface and “project my screen” feature in Miracast enabled Windows Phones.

The new AirServer can be installed on WIndows 8.1 based PC/tablets with latest updates and a WiFi adapters running Windows 8.1 specific drivers (NDIS 6.4). These include:

• Surface Pro
• Surface Pro 2
• Surface Pro 3
• Intel 7260 based machines

AirServer Universal is sold at $14.99 (consumer license), $7,99-$11.99 (educational license) or $19,99 (business license) and you can get it from here. A free 7 day trial of a fully featured version is also available.

The update is free for all existing users.

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

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Thanks to the latest courtroom war between Apple and Samsung, a lot of private mails and documents shared between Steve Jobs and his top employees has be made public. iPhone for normal people, Samsung’s marketing strategy, and a Holy war with Google are some of the most discussed ones. But what is significant for us Apple TV lovers is this excerpt from a mail Jobs sent in 2010 regarding the Apple TV 2.

” Apple TV 2 – David Moody, Jeff Robbin
– Strategy: stay in the living room game and make a great “must have” accessory for iOS devices
– sales so far, projections for this holiday
– add content:
– NBS, CBS, Viacom, HBO, …
– TV subscription?
– where do we go from here?
– apps, browser, magic wand? “

The first two clauses are purely official and sales-related while the rest of’em sheds bright light on what Jobs wanted for Apple TV in the coming years and maybe even forms a part of what he meant when he said he’d “finally cracked the code” for the perfect television.

The next couple of suggestions has indeed been made into reality during or after Jobs’ reign. Apple has been adding channels regularly to their set top box and was said to be in talks with Time Warner for a deal too. Even speculations of a Comcast subscription-based next gen Apple TV loomed around for a bit.

The last strategy of apps and browsers is the one raising the most eyebrows now as it perfectly lines up with the latest reports on Apple TV 4. The next Apple TV is said to come with a support for games, third party apps, custom channels and even game controllers. A revamped and easy-to-use interface is also said to be in the pipeline. You can read all about the Apple TV 4 here.

Now to my favorite and the most mysterious part of the mail, the last word – the magic wand. Though we have no official confirmation on what that is, we can read it closely with some of the latest patents (pic above) registered by Apple, its acquisition of motion-detection firm PrimeSense and listen to what our gut says. The said magic wand is probably a Microsoft Kinect-like device which will enable controlling of Apple TV with a stick-remote, via simple gestures and clicks.

This sort of reminds us of one unique and interesting accessory we tried out earlier: it is called the Kymera Magic Wand Remote Control.

It pairs with your existing infrared remotes and learns the patterns for various functions, which in turn can be converted into gestures. In short, you have a magic wand which you can swish in front of your Apple TV and control it. Looking somewhat like the Elder Wand from Harry Potter, this is literally what we can make of Job’s reference. In case you’re curious, you can get the magic wand for your Apple TV here.

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

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Apple has always had this thing for acqui-hiring established companies for their future products and patents, rather than starting things from scratch. They did it with Siri and countless others till the recent taking over of flash storage maker Anobit in Israel.

Now, the same source which reported the latter news, have some info on Apple’s latest venture. According to the Israeli media Calcalist, Apple has acquired PrimeSense, the 3D sensor providers for Microsoft Kinect. You might remember one of our earlier posts where we discussed a similar rumor in July. Though the news was later declined by the representatives, official declarations in such secret deals often doesn’t carry much truth. This is proved by the more compelling reports flowing in now. As per the new reports, PrimeSense was acquired by Cupertino for about $345M as opposed to the previously speculated $280M.

Apple has already patented their own 3D sensing and imaging platform as seen in the above picture and this PrimeSense acquisition is probably aimed at boosting or hastening their plans. On the other hand, age old rumors of Apple’s own television set are getting hotter and hotter. Reading things together, we can expect/hope Apple to release the speculated iTV soon. And that too, with gesture controls and movement tracking like in Kinect or something entirely different with Apple’s own charm, one can never tell!

As expected, PrimeSense has again decided to keep us in the dark with the below reply to TheNextWeb’s query.

PrimeSense is the leading 3D technology in the market. We are focused on building a prosperous company while bringing 3D sensing and Natural Interaction to the mass market in a variety of markets such as interactive living room and mobile devices. We do not comment on what any of our partners, customers or potential customers are doing and we do not relate to rumors or re-cycled rumors.

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Granted, you may be thinking to yourself that all keyboards are the same but the fact is that there are a wide verity of options out there. Each options is designed with your preferences in mind. So, ask yourself if you like minimal design or the busy looking? Do like small keyboards or large keyboards? Do you love official Apple gear or do you prefer other brands? Whatever your preference is, we have found the keyboard for you.

Let’s start with the actual choices provided to us from Apple themselves, and move on from there:

APPLE WIRELESS KEYBOARD – From $51

For use with your Mac, iOS devices, and now your Apple TV, this sleek, completely cable-free aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard uses Bluetooth technology, so you’re free to move the keyboard just about anywhere within range and wirelessly type away. Use the Apple Wireless Keyboard on your desk, on your lap, or anywhere within 30 feet of your Apple TV. Also, worth mentioning, this compact design takes up 24 percent less space on your desktop than full-size keyboards.

ANKER ULTRA SLIM KEYBOARD – From $18.68

For those of you who love the look and feel of the Apple Keyboards, but are not fans of the prices, this is the best option for you. This device offers all the functionality of the smaller Apple OEM keyboard at a fraction of the price. This keyboard offers great battery life and great performance for your Apple TV.

ANKER ULTRA SLIM KEYBOARD (BLACK) – From $18.39

If you love the Apple look, but wish they had a keyboard to match your Apple TV, this is the best option for you. Notice one key difference with this device, this keyboard comes in a beautiful matte black finish. This device offers all the functionality of the smaller Apple OEM keyboard at a fraction of the price. This keyboard offers great battery life and great performance for your Apple TV.

LOGITECH BLUETOOTH ILLUMINATED KEYBOARD – From $67.63

Stylish sleek innovative nearly-full-size portable Bluetooth keyboard easily switches between 3 devices. This can include your Apple TV, your tablet, and even your phone, no matter what the operating system. The best feature here is likely the use of backlighting. Now you can see what you are typing in the dark.

LOGITECH WIRELESS SOLAR KEYBOARD – From $44.99

The keyboard is continually powered and charged by any light—even the one on your desk. Fully powered, you can type on it for at least three months—even in complete darkness. You get a familiar layout with all the keys you expect—Command, Brightness, Eject keys and more.

MICROSOFT CURVED BLUETOOTH KEYBOARD – From $18.67

Compact comfort. Clean lines. Stay comfortable and productive with this sleek Bluetooth keyboard. Exclusively for Bluetooth computers and devices – no transceivers to connect or lose. This device has a unique design with a winged, or curved, keyboard. For those of you looking for an ergonomic approach to typing from your lap, this may be the keyboard for you.

MICROSOFT WEDGE BLUETOOTH KEYBOARD – From $39.95

The new, ultra-slim Wedge Mobile Keyboard was designed for Windows 7 and Windows 8 tablet users who are constantly on the go, but it also works with iPads, iPhones, iPods, and of course your Apple TV. Its thin, lightweight design makes it easy to carry, while the full-sized, soft-touch keyset provides a comfortable, efficient typing experience that makes using it a breeze.

PERIXX PERIBOARD-804 BLUETOOTH KEYBOARD – From $31.57

Compatible and mapping with your Apple TV, Microsoft OS, iOS, and Android devices. PERIBOARD-804 is an ideal Bluetooth keyboard for your tablet PC and Smart Phone. With its portable size and light weight, you can easily carry it together with your tablet or smart phone on the go. Works within a 30ft range.

iKROSS BLUETOOTH WIRELESS SILICONE KEYBOARD – From $25.99

Brand new bluetooth wireless keyboard with a foldable design allows you to carry your device anywhere. It is small, light, and easy to store, waterproof and easy to clean. The keyboard is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery. Recharge your battery by connecting the provided USB cable to PC or laptop. This support Bluetooth v2.0 and will work great with your Apple TV. Note: this is best for hard surfaces, not a great option for lap type’rs.

SATECHI MINI KEYBOARD – From $39.99

Satechi ST-K100 is a wireless Bluetooth mini keyboard and integrated mouse. Sleek and slim design fits comfortably in your hands and allows for easy typing with its precise keys. Designed to work with your Bluetooth-HID-enabled iOS or Android SmartPhone, Tablet, HTPC or PS3 – no software installation – no cables to keep track of, simply turn on the Bluetooth on your device and connect via Bluetooth.

(This article is also available in Spanish / Este artículo también está disponible en español)

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