Originally released in January 2007, the Apple TV has remained a hobby device focused primarily on streaming and AirPlay throughout its first three iterations.
The arrival of the fourth-generation Apple TV in October 2015 has changed many things for the better, chiefly thanks to its ability to download and run locally third-party applications and games. Apple believes dedicated apps represent the future of television so developers can now submit third-party applications and games for the Apple TV.
And with games being the most popular app category in the Apple TV App Store, the device could change the gaming landscape just like the App Store for iPhone apps did when it launched in the summer of 2008. Companies are also creating dedicating controllers for gameplay on the big screen.
Available in 32 and 64GB varieties, the device ships with the vastly improved Siri Remote. It features six buttons and includes a non-user replaceable lithium-ion battery and Lightning connector for charging, accelerometer and gyroscope sensors for gaming and a trackpad-like area for efficient navigation throughout the user interface by way of swiping over its touch-sensitive, clickable Touch surface.
Communicating with the Apple TV over Bluetooth 4.0, the Siri Remote also packs in an infrared blaster for TV volume control. And since the Apple TV itself supports the HDMI Consumer Electronics Control standard (HDMI-CEC), users can easily control power and switch inputs of other HDMI-CEC devices using their Siri Remote.
Another big change is the inclusion of Siri-powered voice navigation, courtesy of the Siri Remote’s dual microphones. Using the remote, users can search movies and television shows across multiple built-in content sources such as iTunes, Netflix, HBO NOW and Hulu. In addition, third-party developers are permitted to expose their own content for searching through Siri.
Despite its lack of a built-in TV tuner, a dedicated personal video recorder or 4K video output, the fourth-generation Apple TV is a vast improvement over the previous models.
While there’s still work left to be done on revolutionizing the outdated television experience, the new Apple TV does many things right and is all about future potential. And since the box runs Apple’s new operating system called tvOS and based on iOS 9, the new Apple TV is at long last a true platform that will only get better with each new software update.
There are currently no known modifications or jailbreaks for the Apple TV 4.
The basics
- How to control your TV or receiver volume using the Apple TV remote
- How to restart or put your Apple TV into sleep or standby mode
- How to adjust streaming resolution for iTunes movies and TV shows
- How to stop your Apple TV from going to sleep
Managing apps
- How to rearrange apps on the Apple TV
- How to quickly switch between apps
- How to force-quit apps
- How to delete apps on the Apple TV
- How to play classic Nintendo and Sega games on Apple TV
- How to check how much storage space apps and games are taking up
- How to redeem an Apple TV app promo code
- How to access changelog for Apple TV app updates
Accessories
- How to pair a Bluetooth controller with the Apple TV
- How to pair Bluetooth headphones with the Apple TV
- How to check battery level of Siri Remote and game controllers
- How to adjust Siri Remote’s Touch surface sensitivity
- How to program a universal remote to control your Apple TV
- How to quickly go back where you were after accidentally scrubbing on Apple TV remote
Security
Misc. tips
- How to take an Apple TV screenshot
- How to rename your Apple TV
- How to update your Apple TV software
- How to check Wi-Fi signal strength on Apple TV
- How to enable high-contrast cursor on Apple TV
- If your new Apple TV is messing up your TV or receiver
- How to silence Apple Watch with a simple gesture
- How to record Apple TV video output on Mac
- How to check Apple TV storage space
- How to set up Apple TV screensaver with photos from your computer
- Disable explicit music and podcasts on Apple TV
- How to put the Apple TV into retail Demo Mode
- How to access tvOS’ hidden ‘Advanced Settings’ menu on Apple TV
- How to use the Apple Watch to answer incoming calls on iPhone