Monthly archives: August, 2021

Reload your Navigo pass, itineraries, real-time schedules, traffic info. Vianavigo is evolving and becoming Île-de-France Mobilités to better accompany you on a daily basis: train, RER, metro, tramway, bus, coach, bicycle, Vélib’, carpooling… Find the tools and information essential to the organization of your trips in Île-de-France. Together, let’s travel with ease.

Avoid queues at stations: recharge your Navigo pass from your phone!
– Recharge your Navigo pass by simply placing it on the back of your iPhone.
– When vibrating, your pass is detected and ready to be recharged.
– You also have the possibility to pay for your titles with Apple Pay

This service is compatible from an iPhone 7, with at least the iOS 13 version. XR and XS iPhones are not yet compatible and will be very soon.

You can prepare and plan your trips :
– Find the bus stops, train and subway stations near you
– Search in real time for your public transportation, carpooling and cycling routes
– Consult the next passages of your lines in real time and all the timetables.
– View maps of public transit systems (accessible even offline)
– Follow the pedestrian itinerary for the walking sections

Be the first to know and anticipate disruptions:
– Consult the Twitter feed of your lines to know the traffic info in real time.
– Be alerted in case of disruptions on your favorite lines and routes
– Stay informed on the status of the elevators in the stations used

Personalize your trips :
– Save your destinations (work, home, gym…), stations and train stations as favorites.
– Personalize your profile (fast walker, with difficulties, reduced mobility…)
– Select the lines or stations to avoid

Favour gentle modes of transport :
– Opt for the bike routes proposed during your trips
– Book your carpooling trips, in partnership with the main French players

—
You already use the Île-de-France Mobilités application and appreciate its services? Let us know with 5 stars!
Any bugs or remarks to report? Help us to improve by sending us your suggestions from the contact form available via the menu.

And don’t hesitate to join our community of Labtesteurs to imagine together tomorrow’s mobility on the Île-de-France Mobilités Lab application.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vianavigo/id484527651
AppleTV 4 Jailbreak (appletv4jailbreak.com)

Apple TV Plus launched in late 2019, offering a yearlong free trial to people who purchased Apple gadgets — a free period that Apple kept extending (until now). 

Sarah Tew/CNET

Apple TV Plus — Apple’s subscription video service aimed at competing with the likes of Netflix, Disney Plus and HBO Max — features original TV shows and movies … and only original shows and movies. Unlike its main competitors, it doesn’t have a deep library for you to dive into. Instead, Apple TV Plus has a relatively small (but growing) lineup of high-end originals like Ted Lasso, Sundance Film Festival award-winner CODA. 

It also doesn’t have its own dedicated app (or channel). Apple TV Plus‘ shows live inside the Apple TV app. (And the Apple TV app is different from the Apple TV streaming device. Yeah, it’s confusing.)

In addition, Apple TV Plus recently shook up the deals that let most of its subscribers watch its original shows and movies free. This month, many existing customers were charged for the first time, and Apple also has phased out a longtime offer for a yearlong free trial. So to watch Ted Lasso’s new episodes, many members are paying for the service for the first time. 

What is Ted Lasso’s season 2 release schedule? 

Ted Lasso‘s second season premiere became available to stream on Apple TV Plus early on July 23, with a single episode available to stream. The show is expected to have 12 episodes, with each new one dropping every Friday. That would set its season finale on Oct. 8. 

So where exactly do I watch Ted Lasso (or CODA, The Morning Show, Physical, etc.)?

Unlike Netflix and other subscription streaming services, Apple TV Plus doesn’t have its own dedicated app. The Apple TV Plus programming resides inside Apple’s TV app, which overall serves as a hub to watch programming from other video subscriptions and to rent or buy movies and shows a la carte. That can be a little confusing, but the TV app has a tab dedicated just to Apple TV Plus originals, so you can find them in one place without other kinds of programming you need to pay for separately. 

Apple’s TV app (and, by extension, Apple TV Plus) is available for: 

• Apple devices that can stream video including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV streaming boxes, iPod Touch and Macs
• Roku
• Amazon Fire TV
• Android TV
• Google TV
• Xbox
• PlayStation
• Samsung smart TVs
• LG smart TVs
• Vizio smart TVs
• Sony smart TVs

Apple TV Plus is also available to watch on the web at tv.apple.com.

However, if you want to watch on an Android phone, or any mobile device besides an iPhone or iPad, you’ll have to watch in a web browser. Apple’s TV app isn’t available on any mobile devices except the ones the company makes itself.

How much does Apple TV Plus cost?

Apple TV Plus costs $5 a month, or $50 for an annual subscription. By comparison, Disney Plus is $8 a month, with a library of movies and shows that dwarfs Apples. And Netflix, the world’s biggest subscription streaming service, prices its most popular plan at $13 a month in the US; it offers other tiers at $9 and $16 a month.

Apple TV Plus talent gathers with CEO Tim Cook in the lobby of the Steve Jobs Theater.

Art Streiber/Apple

Apple is also including Apple TV Plus with its Apple Music student-discount plan, now offering both streaming services in the $5-a-month deal at no extra cost.

Apple TV Plus is also available as part of a discount bundle of services called Apple One. Long expected since Apple began making subscription services a bigger strategy, Apple One ranges in price from $15 to $30 a month for different combinations of subscriptions. Apple TV Plus is included in all tiers of Apple One; depending on the tier, Apple One bundles may also include Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple News Plus, storage service iCloud and the coming guided-workout service Apple Fitness Plus. (Disney Plus had offered something similar by packaging that service with both Hulu and ESPN Plus.) 

Stay up-to-date on the latest news, reviews and advice on iPhones, iPads, Macs, services and software.

Does Apple TV Plus offer a free trial? 

Apple TV Plus has a seven-day free trial standard for any new subscriber. 

Starting July 1, Apple TV Plus offers an extended, three-month free trial to people who buy an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod Touch or Mac. 

The extended free trial applies to both new and refurbished models, including devices from the iPhone Upgrade Program, and it’s not restricted to any specific sales channel, so it applies to both Apple Store purchases and those at resellers. It’s available in all countries where Apple TV Plus is operating. 

Back when Apple TV Plus first launched in November 2019, the company offered an extended, one-year free trial for anyone who bought a qualifying Apple gadget. Even though Apple TV Plus is among the cheapest subscription streaming services of its kind, the generous promotion compensated for its lightweight library. Apple TV Plus launched with only nine original titles and no catalog of older shows. 

Then as Apple TV Plus slowly worked to widen its catalog of original programming, Apple kept extending those yearlong free trials past their expirations multiple times. Many subscribers had never paid for the service as long as it existed up through July 1. One analyst estimated that 62% of Apple TV Plus accounts were freeloading with some sort of promotion. 

But that changed this month. Apple charged anyone who had been on a free trial longer than a year starting July 1, and any new subscriber who wants to unlock an extended free trial with an Apple gadget purchase gets only three months free now, not an entire year. 

Free trials were long the industry standard, but they are becoming more rare. Services like Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max and Peacock have all phased out their standard free trials for new members. And Apple’s one-year free period for gadget owners was atypically long. The tactic worked well for Apple Music, though. Apple launched its music service with an extended, six-month free trial, and Apple Music quickly became the world’s second most popular music service by subscribers behind Spotify. 

How do I cancel Apple TV Plus?

The simplest way for you to cancel Apple TV Plus, regardless of how you signed up or what device you’re using, is to sign in with your account’s Apple ID at tv.apple.com. Click or tap the small circular account icon in the upper right corner and select Settings. Then scroll down to Subscriptions and, finally, tap the link to Manage. From there, you can choose to cancel your subscription. 

How do I check the time left in my free trial?

You can check the remaining time of your free trial at the same Settings page described above, under the Subscriptions section. CNET also has an article explaining other ways to find the expiration date of your free trial on your iPhone or your Apple TV streaming box. 

What other big shows and movies are coming? 

In addition to Ted Lasso’s return on July 23, Apple has a number of other big releases in the pipeline this summer and beyond: 

• Aug. 27 — See, season two. See is a fantasy starring Jason Momoa, set in post-apocalyptic society in which everyone is blind, save for two of Momoa’s adopted children. 
• Sept. 17 — The Morning Show, season two. Apple TV Plus’ marquee drama stars Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon as anchors on a morning broadcast news show that’s grappling with the fallout of sexual assaults by one of its biggest stars. 
• Sept. 24 — Foundation, a sci-fi series adapted from Isaac Asimov’s best-selling novels.
• Oct. 22 — Invasion, a sci-fi series that follows an alien invasion through different perspectives around the world. 
• Nov. 12 — The Shrink Next Door, a limited series starring Paul Rudd, Will Ferrell and Kathryn Hahn about a psychiatrist to the stars and his longtime patient, inspired by true events. 

What other shows and movies does it have?

Apple’s shows run the gamut of drama, comedy, documentary — even undefined deals with a single big star attached. It’s also spending big to get top Hollywood names: Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and J.J. Abrams and other heavy hitters are on board. Apple also struck an exclusive deal with Alfonso Cuarón for the famed director’s first television projects. 

Since Apple TV Plus resides in Apple’s TV app, you can check out the selection there before signing up. You can also browse the catalog through third-party services like Reelgood. 

Apple’s press site also rounds up all Apple TV Plus original titles, including some that have been announced but aren’t released yet. 

Apple planned to give theater runs to some of its films before streaming them on Apple TV Plus, but the coronavirus pandemic has halted nearly all theatrical releases for the time being. 

How does Apple TV Plus compare with Netflix, Disney Plus and other subscription video services? 

Apple TV Plus is a subscription streaming service to watch the company’s original series and movies exclusively. Like Netflix, it doesn’t have ads. 

Unlike Netflix, it doesn’t have a big library of licensed shows or movies, nor will it release full seasons of its shows all at once in a binge-able bunch (for the most part). Most Apple TV Plus series premiere a small cluster of episodes, often three, followed by one new episode every week. Full seasons of some series drop all at the same time, though. 

Apple TV Plus is available in more than 100 countries and is also part of Apple’s family-sharing feature, which allows you to add up to five family members to share a plan. Apple originals are available in 4K, HDR and Dolby Vision, and most titles also offer Dolby Atmos sound, according to this Apple support page.

Now playing: Watch this: Apple unveils new 4K Apple TV with A12 Bionic chip

4:41

How do I sign up? 

Apple TV Plus is associated with Apple ID, which is the same log-in you’d use for iCloud or downloading apps from its App Store. If you don’t already have an Apple ID, you can create one here. 

If you already have Apple’s TV app on an iPhone, iPad or Apple TV, you simply need to open the app and navigate to any of the places where Apple is prominently promoting its original shows. On newly purchased iPhones, for example, the app already knows you’ve purchased a new gadget to qualify for the deal. Whether you’re starting Apple TV Plus with a year free or just the standard one-week trial, the shows start playing in the app after a few taps.

You can also sign up and watch online with a web browser at the Apple TV Plus site. 

What devices can stream Apple TV Plus?

Apple’s programming is available on all its devices with the Apple TV app. 

Reese Witherspoon (left) and Jennifer Aniston revealed the name of their Apple TV Plus series, The Morning Show, at Apple’s event in March. 

Claudia Cruz/CNET

In addition, Apple TV Plus is available on some competitors’ devices. Apple’s TV app is available on Roku and Fire TV, two of the most widely used streaming devices in the US, and for smart TVs from Samsung and LG. You can watch it on Sony and Vizio smart TVs via AirPlay, and the TV app should be available for those smart TVs now. 

Apple widened support for Apple TV Plus to game consoles in the fall. In October, Sony said its Playstation 5 would support Apple TV Plus at launch. A couple of weeks later, Microsoft said Apple TV Plus would be supported on the Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

Subscribers will also be able to watch Apple TV Plus on the web at tv.apple.com.

But the Apple TV app isn’t available on any mobile devices except iPhones or iPads. That means Apple TV Plus subscribers with non-Apple phones — meaning, the huge population of people with Android phones — need to stream to their mobiles via the web, rather than in an app. 

Apple is a gadget giant. Why does it want to become Netflix? 

Apple is taking aim at original video because it could be a crucial enticement for people to buy more iPhones and other gadgets. You can’t overstate the importance of the iPhone to Apple. The phone, one of the most popular in the world, still accounts for more than half its sales and was critical to Apple’s march to become the first US company worth $1 trillion. 

Apple quickly established its bona fides in subscriptions businesses with Apple Music. But the content on Apple Music is essentially the same as every other music service. They all have tens of millions of songs. Apple Music has been successful largely because of its presence on the iPhone, already in the pockets of millions of people. It hasn’t been nearly as successful working the other direction, acting as a lure to buy the latest Apple gadget.  

Original video from big-name stars and creators you can’t watch anywhere else, however, could be different. 

Apple clearly has a hunch it will be.

https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ted-lasso-season-2-everything-to-know-to-watch-the-apple-tv-plus-show/
AppleTV 4 Jailbreak (appletv4jailbreak.com)

Apple TV+ is one of the biggest Netflix rivals – and as these best Apple TV Plus shows prove, the service is doing a great job of competing against stiff competition.

While Apple TV Plus doesn’t have anywhere near the quantity of shows available that its rivals have, it does have an abundance of star power and quality.

UPDATE: We all need a bit of good news right now and here’s just that. A new trailer for the second season of Ted Lasso has been revealed and it’s brilliant. Ted Lasso is one of the best Apple TV Plus Shows but it really doesn’t have any right to be. A US show about an American football coach coming to manage a UK footie team shouldn’t work. But the warmth of Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso and the brilliant scripting and characters just makes this a joy to watch. The trailer is below – be prepared to smile and laugh!

A number of exclusive shows were made available at launch, most notably Apple’s award-winning comedy series The Morning Show, Jennifer Anniston’s first TV series since Friends which also stars Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell.

The launch also included a host of other shows, including Dickinson (starring Hailee Steinfeld), See (starring Jason Momoa), For All Mankind, Helpsters, Snoopy in Space, The Elephant Queen, and an exclusive project from Oprah Winfrey – some of which are on this list.

Other shows were are fans of are: Truth Be Told, Mythic Quest, Little America and Ted Lasso.

Coming in at $4.99 (£4.99) – which includes family membership – Apple are offering a whole year of Apple TV Plus for free to those purchasing an iPhone, iPad or Apple TV. Bargain, right?

You will have three months after the activation of their new device to claim the offer, according to Apple.

Here’s a run-down of the best Apple TV Plus shows on the service.

Remember to up-vote and down-vote your favourite picks.

Best Apple TV Plus shows

The Morning Show, is a drama set behind the scenes at, you guessed it, a morning TV news show. Starring Jennifer Aniston in her first series since Friends, the show also stars Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell as the journalistic drama unfolds. If this show was on something like Netflix (as in a service that’s a bit more popular) then it would have been given all the accolades for its themes of workplace sexual harassment and all that goes with it.

Ted Lasso is one of the loveliest TV shows we have seen in a while. If you are in the UK it’s a slightly strange look at a US American football coach that comes over the pond to teach a ragtag team of footballers. Lasso is an optimist and you can’t help but be caught up in the way he looks at life. And, even though it’s US made, it portrays the UK pretty darn well/

Defending Jacob sees Chris Evans swap spandex for the courtroom in a mini series about a family defending their son from being accused of killing another classmate. It’s a harrowing watch at times, given the subject matter but it’s great to see Evans step away from the big budgets and do something a little more nuanced. The show is based on the best-selling novel by William Landay.

The Apple TV Plus launch saw the world premiere of the See trailer, an exclusive Apple TV series starring Jason Momoa and Oscar nominee Alfre Woodard. Depicting a civilisation based hundreds of years in the future who have lost the ability to see, the show follows a new generation who are miraculously born with their sight intact. It’s a gritty endeavor by Apple, one that isn’t altogether successful but at least you know there will be more as a second season has been commissioned.

Depicting how the world would have turned out had Russia beaten the US to landing a man on the moon, For All Mankind begins in the 60s, tracking the out-of-this-world challenge. The series continues as technology advances and decades pass, with plenty of action and drama for good measure

Created by Tony Basgallop, Servant focuses on a Philadelphia couple in mourning after the loss of their child. It’s a bit of a dark one to say the least, with a mysterious force getting involved – we’re not saying any more, we’re not going to give it all away. Featuring Lauren Ambrose, Toby Kebbell, and Rupert Grint, it has an impressive line-up.

Mythic Quest is a fun show that strives to be like Silicon Valley, charting a video game company as they release, and try to stay on top of, their game Mythic Quest. It’s made by Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney who created the fantastic It’s Only Sunny In Philadelphia and while it doesn’t hit those heights, it’s a great watch. The second season of the show is available now and it continues to be one of the funniest things on TV right now.

Following a remarkably similar plot line to the hit podcast Serial, Truth Be Told follows the story of a podcast maker who sets out to unravel an unsolved cold-case murder. A dramatic adaptation of the book Are You Sleeping: A Novel by Kathleen Barber, this is a must-watch for fans of true crime podcasts and tv shows.

Apple teased the highly anticipated Dickinson trailer in advance of the announcement – and it was right too – this is a laugh-a-minute. Starring Hailee Steinfeld as rebellious poet Emily Dickinson, the comedy series follows is a melting pot of modern day comedy and traditional attire.

Home Before Dark is the sort of old-school family TV that you yearn for. The premise is great: a nine-year-old budding journalist heads back with her family to the town her dad grew up in. There she begins to uncover secrets about a cold case from way back. The episodes could do with being a bit shorter but this is a great tale of a child whose way more advanced than her years give her credit for, and what happens when she begins to search for the truth.

A show focusing on the immigrants of America trying to make it in the country has never felt so relevant – and that’s what makes Little America a joy to watch. Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon and Lee Eisenberg have created an anthology series that focuses on eight separate stories, each dealing with a culture clash of sorts between those who have spent their whole lives in the US and those who came there seeking something. This particularly resonates in the brilliant The Grand Expo Winners, a tale of Chinese mother who watches her kids who have embraced America drift from her. Every episode, though, is worth a watch.

Taking the route of a documentary, the feature-length film The Elephant Queen focuses on the extinction of one of the world’s most majestic creatures. Narrated by Chiwetel Ejiofor, this epic and beautiful piece of cinema first wowed audiences at the Toronto International Film Festival and is set to air in living rooms across the country imminently.

Amazing Stories is an updated version of Spielberg’s classic hit show. It is an anthology series that “transports the audience to worlds of wonder through the lens of today’s most imaginative filmmakers, directors and writers.” The first five episodes were directed by the likes of Hollywood director Susanna Fogel, Michael Dinner (who also directed an episode of Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams) and Game of Thrones director Mark Mylod. As it’s an anthology, some of the episodes are hit and miss but Spielberg’s wonder is apparent throughout.

A comedy set around infertility doesn’t really sound like a comedy but it’s a fantastic premise for Trying. Rafe Spall and Esther Smith are trying for a child and this show shows what happens when maybe adoption is the answer. With a focus on their relationship and how it deals with new pressures, this is a real must watch, with a second season set for May 2021.

Beastie Boys Story is as much about Beastie Boys the band as it is about their friendship and their life growing up together. Focusing on the ever-changing music the rappers have released, this is a poignant, eclectic watch – thanks to long-time collaborator Spike Jonze directing the thing. Fantastic stuff.

Central Park is a new animated sitcom from the minds behind Bob’s Burgers. While it’s not quite on the same level of that masterpiece, it’s a lot of fun. It revolves around a family of caretakers living in Central Park who stand in the way of developers. There’s musical aspects to the show and it isn’t without controversy. Kristen Bell recently revealed she will (quite rightly) no longer lend her voice to mixed race character Molly Tillerman.

This is a fantastic documentary which really showcases what a genius Billie Eilish is – and how awesome her dad is, too! It’s an intimate look at the singer/songwriter and reminds you just how young she is and what the industry can give and take from someone. The behind-the-scenes looks at her songs are fantastic.

Bruce Springsteen’s Letter To You gets the documentary treatment and it’s a compulsive watch, focusing on the making of the album and Springsteen’s long and fantastic history with the E Street Band. Apple really knows how to make a music doc and we hope to see more of them on Apple TV Plus.

The Book Club was once a golden part of Oprah’s daytime TV show – and now it’s been given the screen time it deserves. Starring, you guessed it, Oprah Winfrey (who will always feature alongside Lorraine Kelly as the Queen of daytime TV), the show is a must watch Apple TV+ addition.

Telling the tale of Pakistani-American teenager Hala, the show depicts the conflict that occurs in balancing personal desire with the various obligations that surround family and religion. Joining the platform a few weeks after launch, this is a show that also depicts a central character with a dark secret

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https://www.shortlist.com/news/best-apple-plus-tv-shows-400880
AppleTV 4 Jailbreak (appletv4jailbreak.com)

Apple TV 4K (2021): Specs

Price: $179/$199 for 32GB/64GB
Video: Up to 4K
HDR: Yes, HDR10 and HDR10+ supported
Connectivity: WiFi 6, Thread, Ethernet
Remote: New Siri voice remote
Ecosystem compatibility: Apple
Processor: A12 Bionic

After almost four years, Apple has finally released the new Apple TV 4K (2021). And while it’s not that different from the first gen — that’s not necessarily a bad thing: the original was already a great streaming box. As this Apple TV 4K (2021) review shows, the new version is great and performs like a dream — yet still may not be worth the upgrade if you already have the previous model.

On the outside, the Apple TV 4K (2021) looks identical to its predecessor. The upgrades are all on the inside, notably replacing the A10X chip with an A12 Bionic. Performance seems a few hairs better, plus the Apple TV 4K 2nd-gen supports 4K at 60fps with HDR versus 30fps. Not a ton of apps even offer that level of content right now, mostly sports and other fast-paced action, but it will become more prevalent. 

The best thing about the new Apple TV 4K is the redesigned Siri Remote. Many (myself included) hated the old remote and its frustrating touch interface. The new remote retains touch and gestures, but adds actual buttons as well as an intuitive jog wheel that recalls the old iPods of yore.

Overall, the new Apple TV 4K is one of the best streaming devices. Once again, though, the biggest drawback is the price.

Apple TV 4K (2021) review: Price and release date

The Apple TV 4K 2nd-gen costs $179 for the 32GB model and $199 for the 64GB. It was released May 21 and is available for purchase at the Apple Store or major retailers.

The Apple TV 4K (2021) is, by far, the most expensive 4K streaming device on the market. Our top pick among the best streaming devices, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, retails at just $49.99 (though you can often find it with a discount). It’s also capable of displaying HDR content at 60fps. The same goes for the Fire TV Stick 4K and Chromecast With Google TV, which are the same price. All three of those devices come with decent remotes, too.

So, essentially, the Apple TV 4K 2021 offers similar features to these competitors at over three times  the cost. What you’re really paying for is an Apple device that works seamlessly with other Apple products (like the iPhone and Apple Watch) to create a happy Apple atmosphere, as well as the Apple’s TVs selection of apps and games.

Apple TV 4K 2021 review: Design

The Apple TV 4K 2nd-gen looks the same as the old one. The dimensions of the sleek black box are similar and it weighs 15 ounces.

On the front is a tiny LED light that indicates the box is on. On the back are the power port, upgraded HDMI port (version 2.1) and Ethernet port.

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

Unlike a dongle such as the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, the Apple TV 4K 2021 doesn’t come with an HDMI cable so you’ll have to supply one yourself. And at 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.4 inches, it’s bigger than all of the above dongles, with a taller design than the Roku Ultra (2020).

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

And since it’s a box, not a dongle, the Apple TV 4K 2021 needs to sit on a TV stand or be attached to a wall. It’s certainly too heavy to hang off the back of your TV, which something lighter like the Fire TV Stick 4K could do. This is an Apple product, though, so the box is elegant and unobtrusive. It doesn’t look out of place or awkward in my television area setup.

Apple TV 4K 2021 review: Performance

As an Apple ecosystem user, I found the Apple TV 4K 2021 to be a cinch to set up. I just unplugged my first-gen Apple TV and replaced it with the new model. My iPhone connected to it and transferred all of my info to the box, including my Apple ID and even the home screen app layout. 

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

The new Apple TV 4K runs on an A12 Bionic chip, which enables fast and smooth performance. The old Apple TV 4K was already snappier than the Roku Streaming Stick Plus and Fire TV Stick 4K. Now, apps open a bit more quickly than they did on the first-gen box. Based on my non-scientific count, apps took around four to six seconds to open on the old box; on the Apple TV 4K 2nd-gen, it’s two to three seconds. Siri search also seemed to deliver results a little faster. 

The biggest performance upgrade is that the new Apple TV 4K now supports streaming high-frame-rate HDR at 60fps along with Dolby Vision 4K and Dolby Atmos audio. But, at  the moment, there isn’t a lot of content out there that you can stream at 60fps. One partner that Apple has touted is Red Bull TV. So, I downloaded the app on both my old box and the new one (by the way, on the former it downloaded in about three seconds and the latter, in about a second), and watched the Red Bull Soapbox Race. I could see a real difference; the video played more smoothly and crisply on the Apple TV 4K 2021. For what it’s worth, I also fired up the Roku Streaming Stick Plus for comparison. The app took about 10 seconds to download and it too did a great job smoothly streaming the race, as it also supports 60 fps playback. 

Siri search and functionality also seem to work a little faster. I asked Siri to open HBO Max and it did in about a second. Then, I said, “Play Lost,” and it delivered me various results, again within about a second or two. Still, while Siri worked quickly, it didn’t always give me what I wanted. For instance, I’ve been rewatching Lost on Hulu and I thought Siri would be smart enough to realize that, but the first result took me to IMDBtv on Amazon Prime Video.

Apple TV 4K 2021 review: Siri remote

OK, here we go: The best part of the Apple TV 4K 2nd-gen is, without a doubt, the new Siri remote. Count me among the many haters of the old remote. The new one is larger, thicker, heavier and made of aluminum. It feels better in hand and is much more comfortable to use, and charges via a Lightning cable. The new Siri remote sells separately for $59 — and is thankfully compatible with the Apple TV 4K (2017) and Apple TV HD.

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

The new remote replaces the overly-sensitive trackpad with an intuitive clickpad and jog wheel. I swear, you could just look at the old trackpad and suddenly your program would pause or rewind randomly. The new clickpad still works with touch gestures, like swiping, but also has actual buttons. Even in my few days of testing, I began to mix and match — I’d start to gesture downward to scroll quickly through Netflix rows, then press buttons to go more slowly and examine the options.

I really like the jog wheel functionality, which reminds me of old-school iPods. Once I paused a program, I could swipe my thumb around the wheel to fast-forward and rewind with more speed and greater precision.

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

The Siri remote also has buttons for Power, TV/Home, Back, Play/Pause, Mute and Volume, while the Siri button rests on the side. Back replaces the Menu button on the old remote and is more logical for navigating through apps to return to the home screen. However, the TV/Home button doesn’t return you to the actual home screen; it takes you to the Apple TV app. And sometimes, you’re so deep within an app you have to click the back button a dozen times. Instead, I found the easiest way to get back to the home screen, with all the apps, was to use the Siri button. 

The one knock against the remote is that it doesn’t work with Apple’s Find My technology found in its iPhones and AirTag trackers. So, while the slightly larger form-factor makes it easier to locate among the couch cushions, there’s no way to ping it when it goes missing (and it will go missing).

Apple TV 4K 2021 review: Video and audio quality

The 2nd-gen Apple TV 4K supports 4K HDR10+ and Dolby Vision video. The new box upgraded to HDMI 2.1, which supports the new high frame rate playback. In comparison, both the Chromecast and the Fire TV Stick 4K support HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, while the Roku Streaming Stick Plus lacks Dolby Vision (only the top-tier Roku Ultra has it). All three competitors play at 60fps. 

On the audio side, the Apple TV 4k 2021 supports Dolby Atmos and adds eARC, which means your TV or game console sound can play through HomePod speakers. Of the Apple TV’s competitors, only the Chromecast features Dolby Atmos, while the Roku and Fire TV sticks support pass-through audio.

I streamed multiple shows and movies from Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and Apple TV Plus. Everything looked great, though not any better than on the first-gen box, including Zack Snyder’s action-packed Army of the Dead, the colorful costumes and landscapes of Shadow and Bone and the bright green pitch and muted tones of Ted Lasso.

Apple TV 4K 2021 review: Features and tvOS

The Apple TV 4K 2021 features a few new features that are great to have, though many are still on the previous version of the streaming box. Screen calibration, which came with tvOS 14.5, lets you use an iPhone to adjust the color balance, brightness and contrast of your TV display.

Here’s how it works. You go into the Apple TV settings, then video and audio, then calibration. Then, you can hold up your iPhone’s front-facing camera and it will make adjustments for. However, I went through the process and it just told me that my TV didn’t need to be calibrated — the same will go for anyone using Dolby Vision, which has a custom video profile.

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

The new model also offers audio sharing, which basically acts like a headphone splitter. Now, you can pair two AirPods to the box for dual private listening. 

And the most recent tvOS finally introduced multi-user support. If there are several adults with their own Apple IDs living in the household, they can access their personalized apps, music and videos.

Everything else you expect from an Apple product is all there. I don’t game nor have an Apple Watch, but you can pair a controller to play Apple Arcade or a watch to work out with Apple Fitness. Airplay from my iPhone worked seamlessly, as did screen mirroring from my MacBook Air. And you could use the Apple TV 4K as a HomeKit hub, since it supports Thread.

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

Where the Apple TV has always stood out from its streaming competitors is the tvOS and its graceful, refined look. The home screen is whatever apps you choose and whichever order you want. The Roku OS is similar in its simplicity. While tvOS comes preloaded with Apple’s own apps, like Arcade and Fitness, it doesn’t blare out their existence like Fire TV’s OS trumpets Amazon content. Chromecast’s Google TV interface is very clean, but tvOS is just so slick and gorgeous that it’s just a pleasure to look at.

Apple TV 4K (2021) review: Verdict

A friend recently asked me if they should buy the new Apple TV. She has the first-gen Apple TV 4K, and has a gift card to use up. My honest answer was, “No. Just buy the new remote.” 

As this Apple TV 4K (2021) review has shown, this is a lightning fast, powerful streaming device that would be a great purchase for someone looking to upgrade to 4K from an older player. But the first-gen Apple TV 4K is still very good and the new model doesn’t provide a huge upgrade. The A12 chip does seem to perform faster, but not by a huge amount.

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

The best upgrade comes in the new Siri remote, which you can buy separately for much cheaper. The lack of any other big change — and its hefty price — are the biggest dings against the Apple TV (2021). You could buy multiple 4K streaming devices for the same price from Roku, Fire TV and Google. You’re paying for the brand name and the ease of integration into an already-existing Apple ecosystem, as Apple Arcade, Fitness and other features aren’t on those more-affordable devices

And that’s not nothing; I personally already owned the first Apple TV 4K for that deep integration. But that model still functions at such a high level that I don’t feel an urgent need to lay down almost $200 to upgrade. Not when I can get the best feature, the new Siri remote, for so much less. But if you’re considering an Apple TV or you’re finally making the jump to 4K, the new Apple TV is worth the splurge.

https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/apple-tv-4k-2021
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Apple TV Channels is a feature in Apple’s TV app that allows you to subscribe to streaming services directly in the TV app. This comes with several benefits, such as billing through Apple and the ability to easily drop and add subscriptions.

The feature first launched back in April of 2019, and Apple has been adding new services on a regular basis since then. Head below for the full list.

The Apple TV app is available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. Its purpose is to aggregate content from various third-party streaming services, as well as the iTunes Store. Apple’s goal is to make the TV app a one-stop-shop for all of your streaming video needs.

Apple TV Channels are streaming services that you can buy and stream directly in the TV app. For instance, you can subscribe to Showtime through Apple TV Channels. If you do so, all billing is handled through Apple itself and the video is hosted by Apple. This means you watch it directly in the TV app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV.

There are also third-party apps that integrate with the TV app, but that are not Apple TV Channels. For instance, content from Hulu and Disney+ will appear in your “Up Next” queue, but you’ll be kicked out to the appropriate app to watch the content.

HBO was originally one of the earliest supporters of Apple TV Channels, but alongside the debut of HBO Max in May, support for Apple’s platform was dropped. Existing users can continue accessing HBO Now, but HBO Max is only integrated with the TV app, not with Apple TV Channels.

What services are available on Apple TV Channels?

Since its initial launch, this feature has expanded widely to include more content across different genres and categories. Here is the current list of available Channels. Almost all of them offer some sort of free trial, generally for 7-days.

• Acorn TV – $5.99
• A&E Crime Central – $4.99
• ALLBLK (Formerly UMC) – $4.99
• AMC+ – $8.99
• Apple TV+ – $4.99
• Arrow Video Channel – $4.99
• BBC Select — $4.99
• Bet+ – $9.99
• BFIPlayer Classics – $5.99
• Britbox – $6.99
• Paramount+ – $9.99
• Cinemax – $9.99
• CollegeHumor Dropout (Not yet available)
• Comedy Central Now – $3.99
• CuriosityStream – $2.99
• Epix – $5.99
• Eros Now Select – $3.49
• Hallmark Movies Now – $5.99 per month
• HBO – $14.99 (existing subscribers only, removed for new users)
• History Vault – $4.99
• IFC Films Unlimited – $5.99
• Lifetime Movie Club – $3.99
• Moonbug Kids – $1.99
• MTV Hits – $5.99
• Mubi – $10.99
• NickHits – $7.99
• Noggin – $7.99
• Out TV – $2.99
• Pantaya – $5.99
• Paramount+ — $9.99
• PBS Living – $2.99
• ScreenPix — $2.99
• Showtime – $10.99
• Shudder – $5.99
• Smithsonian Channel Plus – $4.99
• Starz – $8.99
• Sundance Now – $6.99
• Tastemade – $2.99 per month or $19.99 per year
• The Great Courses Signature Collection — $7.99
• Topic – $5.99
• Up Faith & Family – $4.99

Note: Availability and pricing vary by country. Last updated on June 29, 2021.

How do you find these Apple TV Channels? Simply open the TV app on your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Mac. Then, scroll down and look for the “Apple TV Channels” header. This is where you can browse through the available services and subscribe.

Wrap up

Even though Apple TV Channels is missing big players like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, it serves as a useful platform to aggregate your various streaming services. While the TV app might seem overwhelming at first, you can actually turn it into a powerful feature for keep track of your progress across the growing number of streaming services.

Are you subscribed to any Apple TV Channels? Let us know down in the comments!

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Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:

https://9to5mac.com/2021/06/29/apple-tv-channels-services/
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Apple’s latest streaming device, the second generation of the Apple TV 4K, is finally here. The new version offers many of the same features, lives in an identical-looking black box and costs the same $179 (£169, AU$249). The most notable improvements are a faster processor and a revamped Siri remote. That remote is indeed a big upgrade compared to the controversial, trackpad-driven controller it replaces, but it’s not enough to justify the high price. If your goal is to find a streamer that can deliver Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Hulu and the rest to your TV, you’re better off saving the money and getting something like the $40 Roku Express 4K Plus or $50 Chromecast with Google TV.

Like

• New Siri Remote is excellent
• Supports all major streaming apps
• Simple interface

Don’t Like

• Too expensive
• No Find My feature for remote
• No apps or games that take advantage of improved specs

Yes, the remote is really good now

The word “Finally!” sums up the reaction of many longtime Apple TV fans when they first heard about the new remote. The black glass remote bundled with the older Apple TV had a sleek-looking design, but a slippery, imprecise trackpad was its downfall. I constantly found myself struggling with basic navigation tasks using the older remote. The trackpad’s sensitivity caused me to overshoot menu items like movies, apps, TV shows or text, making even the simplest scrolls and selections a chore to control.

Eli Blumenthal/CNET

The new Siri Remote solves many of those woes. Bundled with new Apple TV purchases, or available as a separate $59 (£55, AU$79) upgrade that works with the older Apple TV, the new remote replaces that trackpad with something Apple calls a “clickpad.” It’s basically a circular controller that combines a touchpad with directional buttons you can actually click.

I found myself greatly appreciating the return of the button-based directional controls. I also like that Apple didn’t completely remove touchpad functionality, which is useful for quickly scrolling through a list or playing certain Apple Arcade games. 

If you hate the touchpad on the clickpad, you’ll be pleased to know that Apple does allow you to disable the feature in the Remote and Devices section of the Settings menu. I still have a hit-or-miss relationship with the feature with moments of overshooting my intended target so I may soon turn it off, but I appreciate that there is an option either way. 

The new Siri Remote, left, compared to the older Apple TV remote. 

Eli Blumenthal/CNET

In addition to the clickpad, the new remote also features three new (and long overdue) buttons for back, mute and controlling your TV’s power. The Siri button, previously on the front, has been relegated to the right-hand side, similar to its location on iPhones. Unlike Roku‘s $30 Voice Remote Pro upgrade, the microphone inside the Siri Remote isn’t “always listening.” Instead, you’ll still need to press and hold to summon Apple’s virtual assistant.  

The new remote continues to be charged through Apple’s Lightning charger and a cable is included in the Apple TV 4K box or if you buy a remote separately. The Siri Remote is a bit longer and thicker than the older Apple TV remote, but it felt much more comfortable to hold. Hopefully, the larger size and silver coloring will make it harder to lose inside the couch cushions. 

But remotes get lost and, unlike Roku, Apple doesn’t include any kind of remote finder with its clicker. That’s a big missed opportunity, especially with Apple building out the Find My app with AirTags. Why not integrate that technology, with its U1 chip, into this remote? Doing so wouldn’t only be a nice selling point to lure people over from other players, but really justify the $59 from existing Apple TV owners. 

If only Apple baked the AirTag into the actual remote. 

Eli Blumenthal/CNET

For now, I’m thinking of taping an AirTag to it, with the hope that someone comes out with a decent case that lets me combine the AirTag with the new remote. A few people have taken to 3D printing AirTag cases for the older Apple TV controller. 

Same box and basic features

Eli Blumenthal/CNET

Whereas the remote got an overhaul, the Apple TV 4K’s actual box looks virtually identical to the square black puck of its predecessor. There are no new ports along its glossy sides and the rear of the device still houses ports for power, HDMI-out and Ethernet. 

The Apple TV runs on the latest version of the TVOS software, with the same tile-heavy interface that has been featured on Apple TVs for years. It will work with Apple services like Arcade, Apple TV Plus, Apple Music and Fitness Plus and the software also supports all the major streaming services including Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV and Sling TV. 

Setting up the device was simple. My iPhone quickly acknowledged it with a pop-up appearing to sync my iCloud account and Wi-Fi settings to the Apple TV. The device even pulled in apps from my old Apple TV, but I still needed to manually log back into apps like Netflix and Disney Plus.

Under the hood, the Apple TV 4K has received a sizable boost in the form of an upgrade to the company’s A12 Bionic processor. The older box, which was first introduced in 2017, ran on what’s now an aging A10X chip. 

CNET TVs, Streaming and Audio

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Apps opened quickly and at times seemed to be a bit faster compared to the older Apple TV 4K. But it is not like they struggled on the prior box. 

As mentioned above, with both boxes running TVOS 14 there isn’t too much discrepancy between them. They both run the same apps, can playback content in Dolby Vision and Atmos and can take advantage of Apple’s clever color calibration tool for optimizing non-Dolby Vision sets (my colleague, CNET’s TV expert David Katzmaier, covered that feature in detail here). 

Apple says the new box will be able to support high-frame-rate HDR video, but I haven’t found many apps that take advantage of the feature, at least not yet. 

The real test will be in how the device handles more intensive tasks like gaming which for now still leaves plenty to be desired. 

The graphics in NBA 2K21 Apple Arcade Edition on the Apple TV 4K won’t rival what you get on modern Xboxes or PlayStations. 

Eli Blumenthal/CNET

Faster processor, but it doesn’t boost Arcade (yet)

The biggest boost I was hoping for in the new Apple TV 4K was in gaming. Apple Arcade recently added several big titles that seem perfect for the big screen such as a special edition of NBA 2K21. In practice? A lot of work is still needed. 

As someone who has played a fair amount of NBA 2K on consoles, playing the Arcade Edition on the Apple TV 4K felt like I went back to the Xbox 360 days. There were lags in gameplay and the graphics were just decent (at best). There was no ability to run plays or complete direct passes to a particular player, while the presentation lacked all elements of a broadcasting team.

I wasn’t expecting graphics or performance to match next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series S and Series X, but I was expecting more than this. When Apple added a version of the A12 to the iPad Pro in 2018 it touted a comparison to the Xbox One S, and that type of performance would go a long way in justifying the $179 starting price this box commands for its 32GB version.

Other Arcade titles for more casual fans appeared to be in need of an update for the new Siri Remote. The older Apple TV remote — with its larger trackpad, accelerometer and gyroscope — was much easier to use when playing Super Impossible Road compared to the newer, smaller clickpad on the Siri Remote. How quickly developers update apps for this new remote is an open question. 

With rumors of Apple designing its own controller, it’s hard to say what exactly the company’s plans are for gaming. Perhaps it is something that will be improved on in future Arcade and TVOS releases. Right now, however, I’m a bit let down. 

Who is the Apple TV 4K for, anyway?

Eli Blumenthal/CNET

That answer isn’t as clear as you’d think. 

Apple fans who need the latest and greatest devices the company makes? Sure, but you were going to buy this anyway. Current Apple TV owners? The $59 remote upgrade seems like the better move today if you have a first-generation Apple TV 4K. If you have an Apple TV HD and like Apple’s interface, the jump to the new Apple TV 4K makes sense and you’ll appreciate not only the better remote but the faster app launching. 

Everyone else? If your main priority is getting access to streaming apps on a TV, I can’t recommend dropping $179 — or $199 (£189, AU$279) for the 64GB version — for an Apple TV 4K. Roku’s $40 Express 4K Plus and Google’s $50 Chromecast with Google are just as capable in terms of streaming, and if your priority is voice, I’d take Google Assistant over Apple’s Siri. 

And, of course, Roku now has AirPlay 2 (and it works great) as do numerous smart TVs, making actual Apple TV hardware even less necessary. Google’s device, meanwhile, has Dolby Vision if that format is a priority for you. 

If Apple’s software starts taking advantage of the beefier specs this new Apple TV 4K offers, maybe it can warrant the price tag sometime down the road. Apple has a great track record of improving its devices over time, after all. We’ll see.

https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/apple-tv-4k-2021-review-new-remote-cant-make-up-for-high-price/
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The new Apple TV 4K ($179+) looks and feels exactly like the company’s two previous streaming boxes, the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, both of which are themselves getting up there in years. But the new Apple TV 4K’s internals make for a marked upgrade.

The 2021 version’s faster processor allows 4K HDR video at 60 frames per second and smooth operation of (and transition between) apps. It also sports modern creature comforts like HDMI 2.1 and support for Wi-Fi 6 to help it integrate better with more modern networks. And, maybe most excitingly, the new Apple TV 4K comes with a redesigned Siri remote, which is thicker, asymmetrical and comes with a dedicated power button.

I’ve been using the new Apple TV 4K for the past week or so, and it’s a noticeable upgrade from the previous versions I’ve been using for years. Sure, it still runs the same tvOS and it still has access to the same apps. But while the new Apple TV 4K can do everything that the old Apple TV 4K could do, it just does it all a little bit better.

So should you buy the new Apple TV 4K? The answer is if you have a 4K TV and a non-4K Apple TV streaming box: yes. If you have the old Apple TV 4K, however, it’s not as straight forward. These are the three main reasons an upgrade would make sense.

Apple

Apple TV 4K (2021)

Apple apple.com

If you stream high frame rate sports and movies.

The new Apple TV 4K is a significantly faster machine than its predecessor. With the A12 Bionic chip, it’s able to support 4K HDR at 60 fps. For reference, this is twice as much as the old Apple TV 4K, which only supports 4K HDR video at 30 fps.

The big benefit of watching 4K HDR video at 60fps is that it makes content with fast-moving action, such as live sports and action movies, look a lot more smooth and realistic. The problem, as it relates to movies, is that not everybody likes the hyper-realistic effect of a high frame rate film; this is one big reason why most Lord of the Rings fans weren’t super happy with Peter Jackson’s recent Hobbit trilogy.

As it relates to live sports, frankly there isn’t much 4K HDR at 60 fps content available yet. It was made a big deal that last year’s Super Bowl was streamed at 60 fps, but that was one of the first options. It’s well known that a lot many popular streaming apps, such as FOX Sports, NBCUniversal and Paramount+, are all working on providing more streamable content in high frame rate HDR, but it’s still early days for that.

Apple

If you hate the old Apple TV remote.

The new Siri Remote shouldn’t be your sole reason to upgrade to the new Apple TV 4K. That’s because you can buy the new Siri Remote separately. At $59, it’s pretty expensive, but it definitely solves the major problems that a lot of people have with the previous model and it will work with your existing Apple TV.

Admittedly, I’ve always had a soft spot for the old Siri Remote. I liked its small size and trackpad, although I did quite often lose it between couch cushions. But I do like the Siri Remote, too. It’s not a night-and-day overhaul compared to the previous model, but it’s definitely easier to hold and its new design makes it easier to find the power and Siri buttons in the dark.

That said, there’s definitely a learning curve for using its new five-way touch controller (which replaces the trackpad); I found myself relearning how to rewind and fast-forward videos because there’s new controls and it feels very different. And, especially at launch, the new controls (and Back button) work better when using Apple’s TV app, mostly likely because other apps — like HBO Max, Netflix and YouTube — haven’t had the chance to update their UI just yet.

All in all, if you’re not a fan of the old remote and the other features of the new 4K TV are tempting, it just might put you over the edge.

If you’re an avid Apple Arcade gamer.

If you or your kids are avid gamers and play Arcade, Apple’s subscription gaming service and you want to play those games on your big screen TV — and to do so, you need to have an Apple TV. Not all Apple Arcade games don’t really need (or benefit from) the high refresh rates that new Apple TV 4K can deliver. However, there are some sports games, like the latest NBA 2K andUltimate Rivals, and open-word-esque games, like Oceanhorn 2, that run smoother and look nicer on the new Apple TV 4K.

The new Apple TV 4K plays the exact same Arcade games as any of Apple’s other streaming boxes — there aren’t any exclusive games. So you should probably be a really avid Apple Arcade gamer who spends a lot of time playing on their big screen to upgrade to the new Apple TV 4K. That said, Apple is always adding new games to its streaming service so this new streaming box could open up more opportunities for more intense games (especially now that you can use your Xbox or PS5 gaming controller with it).

Apple

Apple TV 4K (2021)

Apple apple.com

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https://www.gearpatrol.com/tech/a36487693/apple-tv-4k-2021/
AppleTV 4 Jailbreak (appletv4jailbreak.com)