If you are the type of user who mainly consumes YouTube content on their third-generation Apple TV , then you should consider the possibility of renewing it for a more recent generation or opting for another type of set top box.
YouTube will stop supporting Apple TV 3G
The 3rd generation Apple TV arrived in the Apple product catalog in 2012 and was the last to include an operating system version that did not offer the ability to install native applications. Until the arrival of Apple TV HD (4th generation) and the current 4K model (5th generation) what there were were channels.
Among all these channels, one of the most used since then by millions of users who got hold of this Apple set top box has been YouTube. But sadly, although it is not surprising today, Google’s video service will stop working shortly.
It will be at the beginning of March when the YouTube application (better said channel) will no longer be available on the 3rd generation Apple TV. Therefore, the only option to continue enjoying said content on your television will be to send the videos through AirPlay . The problem is that this option is no longer as comfortable as being able to have a product completely independent of the phone.
Should I change the Apple TV 3rd Gen?
If you’re wondering whether or not it’s time to change your 3rd Gen Apple TV, the answer will depend a lot on the type of use you make of it. It is true that they have been going for more than eight years since its launch, so there are aspects such as power and support for new functions that are not on a par with what is required today.
However, if your use is occasional and you can manage with AirPlay, do not do it. But if you already felt that it was time to take over, then there are many and interesting options that you can choose today. We ourselves have analyzed proposals of all kinds that, due to price and capabilities, are usually even more attractive despite not being within the Apple ecosystem.
Chromecast with Google TV
The new Chromecast with Google TV is one of the more interesting options. Power what we already knew and liked about the original Chromecast thanks to an independence that was already needed. Now you only need to connect it to your WiFi network, enter your user account and start using a multitude of applications and services available.
Amazon Fire TV
Amazon Fire TVs are great options to connect to your television. They use an operating system based on Android, so the number of applications available is also very large. Without forgetting the great integration with the company’s own services.
With a wide variety of Fire TV models available, you can find everything from the inexpensive Fire TV Lite to the all-in-one Fire TV Cube. It is a matter of seeing which one gives you the most advantages and betting on it.
Xiaomi Mi TV Stick
Finally, the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is another of those proposals that for very little money offer a great experience. It is basically a mix between the Chromecast with Google TV and the Fire TV, its operating system is Android and you can access applications and video-on-demand platforms that are essential today. Recommended purchase.
I bet on the Apple TV 4K?
If the previous options do not interest you at all and you prefer to have products from the brand to maintain that Apple ecosystem, think about it beforehand. The Apple TV HD or even the most recent with support for 4K content are still good products and offer interesting options such as being able to be used as a switchboard for HomeKit and home automation, but the current price is too much for the global calculation.
In addition, although the company goes at its own pace with the issue of updates to this product, the truth is that sooner rather than later there should be a renewal. And of course, taking into account the steps that Apple is taking in the manufacture of its own chips, its commitment to Apple Arcade, etc., it is likely that it will compensate you much more to endure with an alternative such as the ones before seen to invest already in a model That doesn’t add much.
So, as we said, before opting for a new Apple TV to replace your current 3rd generation model, think carefully about it. So that the investment really pays off.
