Apple TV: What is it, how does it work and what is it for

Apple TV

There are many set-top boxes on the market. We almost always talk about Amazon’s Fire TV, Google’s Chromecast or even Xiaomi‘s Mi Stick. However, Apple has had its own device for sale for years, and without a doubt, they offer a great user experience. If the Apple TV is not as popular, it is simply because it is a less economical product than what its competitors offer. However, there are so many things you can do with Apple TV. Today we will tell you everything about these devices, their characteristics and all the services that you can enjoy through them.

Apple TV models

There are currently two different models of Apple TV for sale: Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K.

AppleTVHD

This is the cheapest model that the bitten apple brand currently has for sale. It was originally launched in 2015, although this does not mean that it is obsolete. It has an Apple A8 processor and is compatible with any television up to a maximum resolution of 1080p .

Apple TV HD features HDMI 1.4 connectivity, Wi-Fi 5, and compatibility with Bluetooth 4.0 devices. It has full support from Apple and you will be able to enjoy all the services that we will talk about a little later in this article.

Apple TV 4K

apple tv 4k

It’s known as the second-generation Apple TV 4K , and it was released in 2021. Inside is a much more powerful processor, the Apple A12 Bionic . The Apple TV 4K can be purchased in versions with 32 and 64 GB storage, although the price difference is so low between the two that it is much more interesting to get the model with more capacity.

This device is the one we should buy if we have a television with UHD resolution , since the device is capable of delivering content in 4K HDR quality without problems. It is compatible with the HDMI 2.1 standard, as well as with devices with Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6.

Both the Apple TV 4k and the HD share the same control, the Siri Remote, a small controller with which we will be able to control our television at the touch of a voice command.

tvOS, the Apple TV system

tvos15 interfaz

The operating system that drives Apple TV devices is tvOS , a spin-off of iOS that was adapted to improve the user experience as much as possible. Navigating through its menus is very easy, and if you already use an iPhone, an iPad or a Mac, its pre-installed applications will be very familiar to you.

tvOS is a very complete system. It has its own app store with which you can buy apps for your TV. However, its great attraction is the services that Apple has associated with its ecosystem, as we will tell you below:

AppleTV+

Those from Cupertino copied Amazon’s move and also plunged headlong into the audiovisual entertainment market. Apple TV+ is Apple’s streaming service , and it has high-quality content, especially the television series that are published exclusively on this platform.

Exclusive content on Apple TV+ is called ‘ Apple Originals ‘. The list is huge, but if you want to play it safe, Severance , Ted Lasso , Foundation and The Shrink Next Door are the series that have caused the most talk on this platform.

This service is priced at €4.99 per month , and you don’t really need an Apple TV device to enjoy it. If you buy any Apple device, you can try the service for free for 3 months. And if not, you have a 7-day trial period. It is also included in Apple One, the service that unifies all Apple subscriptions.

Apple Music

apple music tv

As a good multimedia device, the Apple TV is also an ideal product to use our television when listening to music, especially if we have a stereo connected to the screen. Its musical catalog is huge, and we will be able to send content to the television to play songs through AirPlay 2.

apple-arcade

apple tv arcade

This other service has the same cost as Apple TV +, and it is a subscription service with which we will be able to play quality video games . Apple Arcade is designed so that its video games can be enjoyed both on the brand’s mobiles and tablets as well as on the Apple TV. In fact, you can connect a PlayStation or Xbox controller to Apple TV for more comfortable gaming if you prefer.

AppleFitness+

The pandemic has already shown that exercising is just a matter of mentalizing. There were many who got in shape without leaving the living room, and Apple took note. Fitness+ is a very original service in which you will be able to train accompanied by a lot of trainers. If the thing that makes you laziest about going to the gym is having to go to it, with Fitness+, it is clear that you can no longer use that excuse.

This service costs about 9.99 euros per month , and although the ideal is to do the exercises in front of your television with Apple TV, you will need an Apple Watch to monitor your movements.

app store

Another strong point of Apple TV and tvOS is its app store. Inside you can find all kinds of programs to improve your television. You can also download all the apps to consume multimedia on streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney +, Prime Video and others.

iCloud and iOS compatibility

ios share play

With support for iCloud, Apple TV gives you the ability to view your photos and videos from your iPhone right on your TV at home. The system also allows you to easily share the screen of your mobile or iPad on TV .

It’s also interesting to get an Apple TV if you make FaceTime calls . Not only will you be able to use your television to watch the image in a more comfortable way —especially if you make multiple calls— but you will also be able to use SharePlay , a functionality with which you can watch content with another person at the same pace and maintain communication with him or her . As if I was next to you in the living room, come on.