Once upon a time , my iPhone and Mac dominated my covert time . I ’d use the former for texting , social medium scroll , listening to music , and so on , while the latter would manage work labor , film streaming , and long web - browsing sitting . But a few years ago , everything changed — when a less - democratic Apple product circumstantially joined my workflow .
When someone mentions the Apple TV , you immediately retrieve of Netflix , Disney+ , Hulu , Max , and the alike . All of these services offer native tvOS apps , make the cyclosis loge the consummate hub to house them . Its utility program , however , poke out beyond stream platforms , as the equipment excels at a broad chain of tasks . At this distributor point , my Apple TV wakes up the moment I do and only hibernates once I ’m in deep sleep .
Apple TV 4K (2022, 3. Gen.) 128GB WiFi + Ethernet
Fit to instruct
I ’ve been usingApple Fitness+since the service launch in late 2020 . At this point , you could meet the guide exercising TV on an iPhone or iPad — even if you do n’t own an Apple Watch . While its wandering availability makes Fitness+ more approachable , I detect it heavy to concentrate on the coaches ’ motility on the small screen .
I start my dawning with 20 - 30 minutes of high - saturation interval grooming ( HIIT)—a workout that involve a lot of jumping and dashing around the room . The Fitness app on my Apple TV make it manageable to keep up with the trainer , as no matter where I resist I can still see the capacity clearly on the big screenland .
Foundry
Tunes that fill the room
After my Apple TV completes its fitness statement duties , it moves on to euphony . According to my Replay 2024 , I spent over 97,000 minutes listening to music last yr . That ’s an average of 4 - 5 hours of continuous playback every individual 24-hour interval . Whether I ’m have coffee berry , getting house chores done , or taking a shower , I relish having medicine playing in the background .
What I specially have it away about Apple Music on tvOS is the live lyrics perk , which displays the poesy in actual time . Even if I ’m sparing my neighbor ’ ear and not singing along with the dedicated karaoke modality , have vivify lyrics on the big covert cook the hearing experience livelier .
When I go to bed , I also play ( with the television receiver CRT screen off ) the Sleep radio , which offers soothing melodies for Apple Music endorser . I ask Siri to automatically stop playback an time of day later , and I ’ve surprisingly never experienced any issues with this particular request .
So , couple with a HomePod mini stereophony couplet , the Apple TV has become my go - to twist for any kind of indoor music cyclosis .
First choice for a second screen
Beyond fitness and medicine , my Apple TV wait on me at oeuvre . Thanks to Apple ’s tight ecosystem integrations , the streaming box double up as a wireless external monitor for my MacBook Air . This lets me move specific app windows to the larger screen for character reference , while I bring with the build - in showing . No dongles , no HDMI cables , no struggles . The Apple TV also supports regular AirPlay receiving , which lets me conveniently mirror videos from my iPhone when a native tvOS app is unavailable .
Stream machine
It goes without saying that the Apple TV also serves regular TV aim . So , when I ’m eating in the evening , I tend to ascertain Apple TV+ show or picture on Mubi . I also trust on it to catch up on the latestMacworld Podcast episodes on YouTubeand to stay update on episodic tidings . With support for 4 K , HDR , Dolby Vision , and Dolby Atmos , the Apple TV genuinely delivers a cinematic viewing experience .
Playisn’t just a remote button
That ’s not all . Paired with a Sony DualSense control , my Apple TV also befall to be my game console of choice . The biz quantity and timber are sure enough limited when compared to the extensive libraries on PlayStation , Xbox , Nintendo Switch , or PC . Nevertheless , there are some upstanding titles on the App Store and Apple Arcade that are ideal for free-and-easy gamers like me .
Some of my personal favourite tvOS games includeThe Binding of Isaac , Dead Cells , Sneaky Sasquatch , andPac - Man Party Royale . Although I sometimes farseeing forrealgames , it ’s a via media I accept for the toilet facility of an all - in - one twist .
FullScreen FaceTime
My Apple TV ’s concluding responsibility is connect me to my Quaker via FaceTime , particularly when there are heap of topic to discuss . The telecasting box connects to my iPad Air ’s microphones and front - face television camera to channelize my audio recording and video recording streams . It also underpin the Center Stage feature , so I stay in skeleton even when get stuff done and walk around the room during long chat sessions .
An iPod, a TV, and a fitness coach
Growing up , boob tube did n’t represent a major role in my sprightliness — I spend most of my childhood reading novels rather . Even as an grownup , movie and series do n’t appeal to me much , as I often detect their plots repetitious . That ’s why it took me a while to justify buying an Apple TV . After all , why wouldIneed one ?
Today , the streaming boxwood has become by far my most - used Apple gadget and one of my preferred investiture in my setup . My Apple TV is now an all - day digital fellow traveller . We stir up up together , exercise , work , take heed to music , bust display , relate with friend , play video game — you name it . And when I suffer interest in play or watching movies from clock time to time , it still comes in ready to hand when performing other day-to-day tasks . It may not be the flashiest Apple product , but it never sits idly or loses its determination in my household .
