Apple TV 4K will get higher yearly by means of common software program updates and even the occasional {hardware} bump. However it really shines when paired with different Apple gadgets. Listed here are 4 Apple TV 4K options you’ll acquire when utilizing the system alongside Apple’s different merchandise.
Arms-free playback controls with HomePod
Certainly one of my favourite demonstrations of Apple’s ecosystem ‘magic moments’ entails the Apple TV 4K and HomePod.
When a HomePod and Apple TV 4K are in the identical residence, you’ll be able to management playback in your Apple TV just by talking to your HomePod.
Simply ask Siri in your HomePod to play, pause, skip again or ahead, or different customary playback controls. No must press the Siri button in your Siri Distant.
Siri will know that you simply’re referring to what’s taking part in in your Apple TV, and act accordingly.
Distant app on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch
One other handy approach to management your Apple TV 4K by way of one other Apple system is with the Distant app.
Apple’s Distant app is offered for iPhone, iPad, and even Apple Watch.
It offers the identical fundamental performance discovered with the bodily Siri Distant, however utilizing one in all your different gadgets.
The Distant app can go even additional although. When you’ve used the app in your iPhone, for instance, you’ll be capable to observe playback of what you’re watching by way of the iPhone’s Lock Display. That is particularly nice on fashionable gadgets with an always-on show.
I like with the ability to look at my iPhone to shortly see how for much longer a given present or film has left. It’s a simple approach to observe runtime with out messing with the Apple TV 4K itself.
InSight on iPhone, proper the place you need it
InSight is a new tvOS 18 function that works particularly properly when used from an iPhone.
InSight offers related performance to Prime Video’s X-Ray function. It’s going to present you data for the actors on-screen at any given time, and no matter music is taking part in.
You need to use InSight on the Apple TV 4K itself, however I discover it’s rather more handy and fewer distracting on the iPhone. InSight is offered when utilizing the iPhone’s Distant app, and means that you can examine the related data with out overlaying your TV display with the InSight overlay.
HomePod speaker expertise
Lastly, Apple TV 4K can’t solely be managed by way of HomePod requests. It could possibly additionally make HomePods your designated audio system—and get a bonus function consequently.
In your Apple TV 4K, open the Settings app, then Video and Audio ⇾ Audio Output and choose your HomePod or HomePod stereo pair as your Default Audio Output.
You may get Dolby Atmos help this fashion, and in addition profit from a model new tvOS 18.2 function:
Improve Dialogue on HomePod (2nd technology) when paired with Apple TV 4K offers you the choice to listen to speech extra clearly over background sounds utilizing real-time audio processing and machine studying.
I like the usual Improve Dialogue function supplied by tvOS 18, however with the HomePod 2nd technology that function will get even higher in tvOS 18.2.
Apple TV 4K options: wrap-up
Apple’s {hardware} and software program ecosystem has lengthy been on the core of the corporate’s success. And Apple TV 4K is a superb demonstration of why that ecosystem may be so compelling. It’s a stable product by itself, however when paired with different Apple gadgets, it’s really at its finest.
Which of those Apple TV 4K ecosystem options do you want most? Tell us within the feedback.
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