Apple TV: Even More Than You’ve Expected (Exclusive Review)
In one of my earlier posts I’ve made a brief review of Apple Watch Sport, which was a gift to my wife on her birthday. In the same post I’ve mentioned also that I own some other Apple products and one of them is Apple TV, review of which is below for your consideration.
Those who have a fancy for latest updates in digital entertainments will be happy placing the modern multifunctional device near their TV sets to watch movies, shows, sing, play games, listen to music and use favorite applications at any time. In this post I’m going to talk about the Apple TV, one of the brightest novelties in nowadays technologies. Although the Apple TV that I have is the 3rd generation model, in this post I will be briefly covering the features of both the 3rd and the 4th generation models.
One of the greatest things about this appliance is that it successfully combines many functions, apps and innovative options in one device with an intuitive interface and powerful OS platform. It’s so easy to use (as usual for Apple) that in general it’ll take about 10 minutes to figure out how to use the system.
All that You’ve Ever Wanted from a TV set
Apple takes care about native library updates and there are many more applications coming out in the 3rd and 4th generation versions than in previous ones. For a comparison, the 4th generation model proudly represents App Store support (currently more than 5,000 apps and games according to Apple) and the brand new menu format.
Even though the device lacks 4K resolution compatibility, it’s still a gorgeous streaming box, especially for those users who have already owned Apple devices. Catalogued applications will help you to enjoy movies, music and TV-programs whenever you like. Visually the library reminds the huge iPad display with somewhat different looking icons. The 4th generation of the gadget (currently selling) also guarantees excitement from gaming as well (for that you can use installed games at your iPhone or iPad.)
In a word, the great feature of the device is about streaming content to your TV (feature called ‘Airplay’ in Apple devices) rather than downloading it. After buying a film or a TV show in the library you’ll have access to them and be able to rewatch them. The average cost of the video content is $7-20. Does it seem expensive? There’s an alternative solution–renting that will come rather cheap (nearly $2-5 per video in HD or SD). But please keep in mind that rented content is available for watching only once.
(In case if even $2 still seems expensive, you can actually stream any viewable content from the internets to your TV set through Apple TV from iPhone/iPad in one touch. This includes any movies, clips, or music you’ll be able to find online for free. I’m not going to discuss the moral aspects here, so above you can see The Great Gatsby movie streamed to my TV set from the internet.)
Another great feature is ‘mirroring’, which becomes available on your iPhone/iPad when Apple TV is somewhere near. Instead of streaming only the video, you can also broadcast the whole screen of your iPhone/iPad to the big TV screen. Below you can see a photo from my blog demonstration to my daughter @richkid with Airplay Mirroring function (available in both 3rd and 4th generation models.)
Meet the Stylish and Simple Design
Fans of innovative technologies will definitely adore the look of this multifunctional streaming box, which combines ergonomics, convenience and pithiness. As you turn the Apple TV on, you’ll see the active white light diode on the front. All the connections are on the backside. That’s a great design solution, as it allows hiding all the cables and leaving only the black box seen on a table or a shelf.
You can connect the box to the HDTV set (up to 1080p video quality) or other devices with HDMI, Ethernet and audio output. What else? You can opt for extended options and use Wi-Fi to control via home wireless network. For a word, the gadget is friendly to dual-band Wi-Fi. To play video streams you should use the HDMI connection only to connect the Apple TV to your TV set.
Also, the modern 4th generation box presents Siri as a personal digital helper for a user. So when you seek for a movie or a show just ask her to find the popular video, a film by the date of release or some other content by another criterion.
Who definitely needs the Device?
In spite of lacking 4K and more improved functionality of the 4th generation model, the third generation version will be a win-win buy for the people who:
- have other Apple products (you can stream your pictures or videos from iPhone or iPad);
- have a collection of videos, photos or music to share with your friends and family using big screen.
- have a modern TV set (to be completely honest I consider it a must for Apple TV);
- use TV with integrated OS, but aren’t happy enough with its functions;
- opt for iTunes and want to view its content on the TV set.
Whoever will be buying the model of 2015 (4th generation) will also additionally enjoy:
- access to all your apps including gaming experience on the big screen.
- remote with a touchpad, accelerometer and gyroscope (functions as a gamepad);
- 32GB or 64GB of internal storage;
- new stylish menu design;
- Siri voice search and support for App Store;
- Support for Bluetooth keyboards;
Pricing
Since Apple already officially discontinued the third next-generation Apple TV you can find it as cheap as $59 in online stores of resellers. So, if you don’t need games and other iPhone/iPad apps, but merely a streaming box with pre-installed apps this is clearly still a great choice.
Yet, if you want the latest product from Apple you can order Apple TV from the online store as low as $149 for 32GB model or $199 for the 64GB model and enjoy all the great features that 4th generation will bring.
Specifications
Specifications of the 3rd generation model
Specifications of the 4th generation model
Conclusion
The Apple TV will be a good choice for all the family as it offers a plenty of entertainments for people of any age, especially if you own other Apple products. So if you’ve decided to boost your TV set, be sure–that device will handle it easily!
Thank you for reading my review. Hope that the information was helpful.
If you liked this post, check out my Review of the Apple Watch Sport.
Cheers!
As an Apple employee, I get to learn all about devices like this one. I personally own the 3rd Gen version, and I drool over the capabilities of 4th Gen, particularly the Siri integration.
One thing that's really cool about the 3rd Gen, however, is that if you own an iPod, iPhone, or iPad, you can get the "Remote" app, which turns that device into the remote for your Apple TV, and will allow you to use dictation (not Siri) to type in your search, rather than have to do the oldschool hunt-and-peck style of typing with the up/down/left/right controller of the remote it comes with, which takes forever.
Thank you very much for your comment and your valuable input! I really should add some more information in my post about the features you've mentioned.
I was also so excited to hear that you work for Apple, it should be a very interesting job, indeed :D
Although I searched through your blog and wasn't able to find any reviews of Apple products... How come?
Sometimes I'll mention that I work for them on here if it's relevant to the conversation, but for the most part I like to keep my online life separate from my work life, frankly. There are also certain agreements we employees have to make when starting to work for them, so to avoid any possible gray areas, I tend to just avoid getting too much into it in the first place. ;-)
Oh, I see, but you still can make an unbiased review?
It would be pretty easy for the products you use everyday ;D
I love Apple products and have a 3rd gen and am still very happy with it. Though the iPhone is far and away my favorite Apple product and the macbook pros a close second!
So reliable, efficient, smooth, simple. They just work ;-)>
I own Android smartphone myself because of many technical reasons, but currently recommend iPhone to anyone who asks for an advice for the same reason--it just works ;D
I'm also very happy with 3G Apple TV, but currently am thinking if I need a new gen model.
Still undecided since I have Xbox also...
Tough decisions!
Though the apple tv really is quite moderately priced and if you use it a lot especially with NEW movies it would be worth it for sure especially the 4k
@richman - wowza!
Had i read your review a long time ago I would have had an apple tv.
I barely watch tv these days and I want to get rid of the tv we have since we barely use it. Hub and I play pocketball, checkers or chess or table football at home these days, we bought those kids stuff to stop us from slouching hahaha.
Both my girls have Apple devices, so I really had no options, but to buy Apple TV. It comes really handy when you have lots of pictures and vids. Enjoyable show for the whole family to watch them all with 55 inches display, I assure you ;D
@richman apple should pay you haha - this is such a great review and if you were in affiliate marketing this would have already processed clicks and gave you chaching.
Yeah! You won't believe how much much time I spent making photos ;D
@richman, i could imagine - I think we all do take so many shots and just edit the good ones, I do, too specially with the recipes. I like the cheers thing!