Why Your Smart Home Needs the Apple TV
Core to the ecosystem that is the Smart Home lies a central point of processing. It could be a smartphone, a wireless hub like Apple’s HomePod, or even an Apple TV. These hubs serve as a starting point for control and command of the Smart Home and allow users to personalise input depending on their schedules and routines. For many, the Apple TV has become the core choice for a central hub, especially because it doubles up as a source of entertainment. Unlike the HomePod or an external tablet, the Apple TV functions in a myriad of ways in both maintaining the Smart Home while still providing value as a television.
1. Casting Functionalities
One of the main draws of an Apple TV is the casting functionalities, which refers to the ability for users to “project” music, movies, or any sort of content from their Apple devices to the Apple TV. When paired with other devices within the Apple ecosystem, such as an iPhone or a MacBook, the Apple TV now becomes an extension of both the workspace and an entertainment hub. Crucially, this process occurs through wireless means and cuts down on the additional logistics of having to set up an HDMI cable as you would normally do with any other Smart TV. Given that the design language for most Smart Homes defers to a clean, minimalist, and integrated approach, the cross-platform casting functionalities become an even bigger boon.
For those who already have a subscription to Apple Arcade or Fitness+, the Apple TV now becomes a hub for gaming and lifestyle as well. The variety of content on both platforms cast to the central entertainment hub that is the Apple TV makes gaming and exercise a lot simpler. No longer do users have to squint and focus their attention on tiny screens as they compete over various video games, or get their daily dose of exercise in.
2. The Apple’s Dolby Atmos Experience
Speaking of the Apple ecosystem, Smart Homes that already integrated a HomePod or HomePod mini do not have to worry about their device being relegated to mere decoration. Strategic placement of HomePods results in a surround sound experience as Apple TVs allows the former to be used as TV speakers. Again, a wireless and all-encapsulating entertainment experience within the Apple network.
If you’re one of those with the luxury of living in a house with plenty of square footage, having multiple HomePods or HomePod Minis allow you to take advantage of Apple’s Dolby Atmos audio. Combined with the high-fidelity streaming capabilities of iTunes, the Apple TV 4K works hand in hand with these HomePods to provide a cinema-quality viewing experience in the comfort of your home.
3. Multi-User Experience
Like many streaming platforms on the market, the Apple TV accounts for the multi-user experience well ahead of time. Those with an Apple TV can create different accounts for different family members to tailor their content and viewing preferences. Utilising AI-based algorithms, each account will receive personalised suggestions based on the content commonly viewed.
Parents that are concerned about the type of activity their children might get up to online can also set strict parental restrictions on the respective accounts of their young ones. These restrictions extend to any sort of cross-platform interaction one might have with the Apple TV, which further limits any applications one might cast to the Apple TV or search enquiries curious minds might have on the device. All in all, parents can take solace in knowing that the restrictions imposed are comprehensive enough to keep their children protected.
4. Privacy
In a world where internet behaviour is constantly monitored and your data might not be as private as you think, Apple circumvents this with their stringent privacy policies. Taking protection of personal information seriously, Apple keeps all streaming activity and personal information encrypted
All information stored on their servers expire after a fixed time, and Apple openly states that such information is only used to provide services and improve the Apple TV application for users. For consumers that want to go a step further, Apple also offers the option to opt-out of any data collection across devices and will never collect data without permission.
Besides fulfilling its potential role as a central hub for a Smart Home, the Apple TV can be used in as many ways as the mind can imagine. Paired with other Apple devices, the sky’s the limit for those with an Apple TV. For those on the fence looking for a new Smart TV? Consider the all-in-one potential of the Apple TV next time you go shopping.
Posted : June 14, 2022
A large part of what makes the iPad Mini so popular is its tiny frame combined with insane processing power. Apple knew their target demographic well when tweaking the specs for this recent release, and it really shows. Catered towards people working on the go, and creatives who spend a lot of time drawing and sketching for work, this 6th generation iPad Mini checks all the boxes for a powerful and portable tablet suited for work and play.
Apart from the changes to case material, the new design language of the iPad Mini 6 features a larger edge-to-edge screen, along with narrow borders and minimum bezel space. Although we’ve seen bezel-less devices from Apple for the better half of a decade, this is the first time the iPad Mini has gotten such an upgrade. In addition to looking much sleeker, this change is felt even more coupled with the new 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone, P3 wide colour, and ultra-low reflectivity.
The end result is a gorgeous dynamic screen that makes the iPad Mini 6 a practical choice indoors and outdoors. Not to mention the support of Apple Pencil 2, which feels amazing on the low latency screen. All these facets add up to make a difference larger than the sum of each individual part, resulting in the new iPad Mini feeling like the perfect device for anyone wanting a portable and adaptable workhorse tablet.
Apart from the changes to case material, the new design language of the iPad Mini 6 features a larger edge-to-edge screen, along with narrow borders and minimum bezel space. Although we’ve seen bezel-less devices from Apple for the better half of a decade, this is the first time the iPad Mini has gotten such an upgrade. In addition to looking much sleeker, this change is felt even more coupled with the new 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone, P3 wide colour, and ultra-low reflectivity.
The end result is a gorgeous dynamic screen that makes the iPad Mini 6 a practical choice indoors and outdoors. Not to mention the support of Apple Pencil 2, which feels amazing on the low latency screen. All these facets add up to make a difference larger than the sum of each individual part, resulting in the new iPad Mini feeling like the perfect device for anyone wanting a portable and adaptable workhorse tablet.
It wouldn’t be an Apple upgrade if they didn’t improve the camera capabilities on the device. If anything, that’s the least we expect from the tech giant’s annual keynote events. This time, the iPad Mini has received blessings in both the front and back cameras on the device. Boasting a 12MP camera on both the front and back of the 6th-Gen iPad Mini, this is a massive boon compared to the relatively sub-par 7 and 8-megapixel cameras on the respective front and back of the 5th-Gen iPad Mini. The newer Mini also has the ability to record in 4k and capture higher-quality images, courtesy of the new Smart HDR 3 function in the A15 Bionic chip.
Knowing that video calls are also more popular now than even in the time of COVID-19, Apple’s implementation of CentreStage for a more natural video call experience also feels like a natural feature to have as well.
A ton of well-deserved updates to the iPad Mini makes it feel right at home alongside Apple’s latest generation of tablets. If you’re still wondering if you should still get the new iPad, the make or break factor here really is the size and portability of the iPad Mini 6.
Historically, the Mini was always viewed as the cheaper and lower-spec cousin of the flagship iPad. Not this time – the iPad Mini 6 proves a worthy contender for the individual who’s constantly on the move, looking for an all in one device that fits comfortably in the palm of their hand.
