We know that sometimes merchandise and religious service names can be confusing , andApple TVis a arrant illustration . The company ’s home entertainment spunk center is n’t just astreaming deviceor an app — it ’s an entire ecosystem encompassing ironware , software , and even a premium cyclosis overhaul .

Apple TV — the hardware — is a low cyclosis gimmick that you could put in your life elbow room , sleeping room , or wherever . The Apple TV app works on your mobile twist or smart telly and gives you access to much of the same message you ’d find on the strong-arm Apple TV box .

Meanwhile , Apple TV+is a bounty cyclosis service . You pay for it to get at mellow - quality video content , including films , TV shows , sports , and more .

Are you still upset ? Do n’t be . Let ’s take a feel .

Apple TV hardware

Generally verbalise , when you sing about Apple TV , you ’re let the cat out of the bag about hardware , or what commonly is denote to as a set - top loge , which plugs into your television via HDMI . The prescribed name of the current hardware isApple TV 4 kibibyte , which is now in its third generation .

The box seat itself is about the size of a couple of decks of cards . And in distinctive Apple mode , it ’s a fairly stark design . Matte fateful plastic , with just the Apple logotype on top , and some ports on the back .

There now are a couplet of versions of Apple TV 4 G , which was last refreshed in October 2022 and sportmostly nonaged improvementson the old edition . They deal the same parts and feature for the most part . Apple refers to them as the “ Wi - Fi exemplar , ” and the “ Wi - Fi + Ethernet model . ”

As the name calling imply , one only has wireless networking , and the other has a gigabit Ethernet port . That ’s not the only distinction , though . The model with Ethernet has repeat the onboard storage at 128 GB , and support for theThread networking criterion , which will make smart nursing home support even more seamless .

Both models are power by Apple ’s A15 Bionic processor , which stand for both are very overmaster for what they presently do . That ’s not a bad thing , though .

And both share the same Siri Remote . It ’s still the sleek silver deal we ’ve enjoy for a while now ( and it ’s still perhaps a little lowly and boxier than you ’d like ) . It still has a combination directional / clickable button / inking pad affair that sounds weird on theme but run fine in actuality , with a minimum smattering of buttons . And it has proper power and volume controls , so there ’s a pretty good chance it ’ll be the only remote control you take .

And it now recharges via USB - one C alternatively of Apple ’s proprietary Lightning cable .

The Wi - Fi - only Apple TV 4 chiliad cost $ 130 , while the one with more computer memory , plus Ethernet and Thread support , cost $ 150 . In case you need us to spell it out , you should just go ahead and drop the supererogatory money . Because if you’re able to plug in into your connection , you should . and if you ever want support for Thread , this is how you get it . And nobody has ever enjoin , “ Welp , I wish I did n’t have this much repositing for apps and material . ” Just do it .

The Siri Remote for Apple TV has undergone several design looping since its introduction . As noted , the latest 3rd generation model , relinquish in 2022 , features a satiny silvery aluminum casing and a touch - enable clickpad for nonrational seafaring . This clickpad permit users to pick out claim , swipe through playlists , and utilize a circular motion on the taboo ring for precise scene seeking . A build - in microphone enables voice control via Siri , make it easy to find content and control playback .

The remote connects to the Apple TV 4 K via Bluetooth 5.0 and admit an IR vector for curb other devices like TVs and soundbars . It is rechargeable through a USB - century port , offer months of shelling lifetime on a exclusive charge . The design is intended to be ergonomic and easy to use , provide a well-heeled and efficient way to interact with the Apple TV interface .

And then there ’s the official Apple TV Remote app .

The functionality of the “ Apple TV Remote app ” is mainly integrate into the Control Center of iPhones and iPads . This feature allow you control your Apple TV directly from your iOS equipment without needing a disjoined app . By adding the “ Apple idiot box Remote ” to your Control Center , you clear approach to controls such as navigation ( swiping ) , selection ( tapping ) , menu and home buttons , playback dominance ( intermission / play , omission ) , volume adjustment ( if your Apple tv set is set up with a HomePod or AirPlay - compatible verbaliser ) , and even Siri voice control ( by pressing and throw the Siri button ) .

This Control Center remote works with Apple TV 4 kilobyte , Apple TV HD , and Apple TV ( 3rd generation ) , as well as AirPlay - compatible voguish TVs . To use it , your iPhone or iPad postulate to be on the same Wi - Fi web as your Apple TV or smart TV . On iPhones with iOS 12 or afterwards and iPads with iPadOS 13 or later , this distant functionality is often mechanically activated when the twist link up to the same Wi - Fi internet as the Apple TV . you’re able to also manually add the “ Apple TV Remote ” release in the Control Center preferences .

Apple TV software

The original Apple TV hardware was born in January 2007 and run a modified version of Mac OS tenner Tiger . Things have change quite a bit since then , of course . Apple tvOS is a dedicated branch of Apple software that finger a piffling scrap like if you told someone to take the iPhone or iPad experience and stay it on a living elbow room - sized showing .

The home screenland is as simple as it gets —   icons for apps . And those apps all come from the Apple TV app store .

And … that ’s it . Mostly . you could hold down the TV button on the remote control to slide undetermined a Control Center that very much looks like what you ’ll find on iPhone , iPad , or a Mac . Or click it twice to see thumbnail of your candid apps , which you’re able to then swipe away to close manually .

useable apps execute the gamut . There are all the stream services , of course , likeYouTube TV or Hulu With hot television receiver . And utilities . And euphony and other picture . And if you ’re a gamer , Apple TV has a clump at the quick , too , via Apple Arcade .

There ’s also support for multiple user bill , so you may have a completely different experience from a family member , be it apps or telling or whatever . And tvOS persist an first-class weapons platform for thing like AirPlay , where you’re able to mirror your headphone or practice the feature to watch out any depicted object from a handheld machine or Mac on your television set instead .

And if you ’re the owner of anApple Watch , Apple TV is abrilliant way to use Apple Fitness+ .

For those who are into Apple ’s voguish nursing home ecosystem , Apple TV ( the hardware ) allows you to use HomeKit ( the package ) to control supported gadget . That ecosystem should grow exponentially once Thread keep is mainstream , so that ’s a reason to get the more expensive of the two current Apple TV 4 K options .

Like other Apple product , tvOS will see updates alongside Apple ’s other software .

The TV app on Apple TV

We ’ve mentioned the TV button on the Siri Remote . Press it , and it conduct you to the TV app . This is where things commence to get a good bit more confusing .

The unretentive version is that Apple is trying , with various degrees of winner , to make the TV app the one place to go for all idiot box on Apple telecasting . Except it ’s not .

A bit of major video apps permit their substance to be surfaced in the television app . That ’s how you might see an on - need movie from , say , HBO Max , alongside something from Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video . There are more than 130 services that can pipe content into the TV app . But not take part , still , is Netflix . So for as good as the TV app is in helping you figure out what you want to watch without having to deal about which app you ’ll be able to watch it on , it ’s not all - encompassing .

The Apple television receiver app also is where you ’ll findMLS Season Pass . It ’s a separate subscription that pay off you every MLS game , plus playoffs , without any blackouts . In addition to the live games themselves , you ’ll also get replay , interviews , and feature film on every team .

The cool thing , though , is that the boob tube app is available on iOS , iPad OS , Mac OS , and Apple TV .

But it in spades tends to make things a little more perplexing , and we would n’t fault you for ignoring it .

What’s new in tvOS 18

The tvOS 18 update launched in fall 2024 , introducing a notable feature called InSight for Apple TV+ . This vista affair similarly to Amazon ’s X - Ray , presenting veridical - fourth dimension details about actors , reference , and music in Apple Original movies and shows . Users can also get at this information through the Apple TV Remote on their iPhone .

Enhanced Dialogue undergoes a significant upgrade with machine learning , bid clearer voice lucidity against background sounds . It now confirm HDMI - connected speakers , AirPods , and other Bluetooth devices , in addition to HomePod . subtitle are now sassy , activating automatically when the audio is muted or when rewinding .

For projector users , tvOS 18 adds reenforcement for the 21:9 aspect proportion . In the Apple Fitness+ app for Apple TV , a redesign feature a more personalized “ For You ” division , better “ Explore ” and “ Library ” sections , and enhanced search capabilities . FaceTime on Apple television receiver now includes Live Captions via Continuity Camera for English user in the U.S. and Canada .

New cover savers , such as “ Portraits “ , showcase your pic with a clock , alongside options featuring content from Apple TV+ show , with a Snoopy screenland saver predict later . The home base app receives updates too , offering guest access code controls for smart dwelling house devices and brainwave into home electrical energy usage with join forces utilities .

Apple TV+ streaming

Then there’sApple TV+ . It ’s Apple ’s own agiotage streaming service that is all about scoop . If you ’re watching it on Apple TV+ , be ita movie or series , you ca n’t watch it anywhere else .

orchard apple tree TV+ also is required if you ’re going to watch Friday Night Baseball . Apple used to show games for free . But starting with the 2023 season , you’ll require a subscription .

But there ’s nothing especially exclusive about Apple TV+ itself . While , yes , you’re able to see Apple TV+ in the TV app on your Apple TV , you also can watch it moderately much anywhere else , be it on hardware from Roku or Amazon , or even Google . Or in a web web browser . And that create sense , because what trade good is a streaming Robert William Service that ’s only available on sure ironware ?

Apple TV+ ’s exclusivity is not particularly unique . Although you’re able to watch out it on the Apple TV app , you’re able to also access it on other platform such as Roku , Amazon , Google , and web browsers . This far-flung accessibility makes mother wit because a cyclosis service would n’t be beneficial if it were only approachable on specific machine .

orchard apple tree TV+ can be purchased for as little as $ 9.99 per month after a 30 - mean solar day trial run or $ 99 for an full class . It ’s also available through any of theApple One bundles , which start at $ 19.95 and let in other Apple service like Apple Music , Apple Arcade , iCloud storage , and more .

In some caseful , you’re able to get an Apple TV+ subscription for costless when you buy a Modern Apple product . However , that go is n’t available very often .

When will there be a new Apple TV model? What about tvOS 19?

It ’s anyone ’s guessing when Apple will release a new physical Apple TV . However , it ’s probably going to occur sooner , rather than after .

The first Apple TV 4 honey oil version was introduced in 2017 . This was come after by a 2d - genesis adaptation four years later in 2021 . A third - generation example arrive only a yr later in 2022 . Therefore , we can probably expect a new model this twelvemonth or next .

Although it ’s unsealed when a new physical Apple television set will arrive , we know with much more certainty when a young version of tvOS will be found . That interlingual rendition , tvOS 19 , will likely be annunciate at Apple ’s Worldwide Developers Conference ( WWDC ) in June , followed by a public release this fall . So far , there arefew rumorsabout this software update .