Apple TV Review After 2 Years of Use

I purchased the Apple TV (4K) model back in 2021. I remember opting for in-store pickup at the Apple Store to get it directly.

Why I Bought Apple TV

My existing TV was a smart TV, but I wanted better smart home integration and an Apple smart home hub. I was also eager to try it out within the Apple ecosystem. (This eventually led to purchasing a soundbar to use Dolby Atmos...)

Here are my thoughts on the remote, Apple Arcade, Photos, FaceTime, and AirPlay:

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1. Remote (Siri Remote)

If you've ever used an iPod with a click wheel, this will feel familiar. The central part of the remote is a touchpad that recognizes up, down, left, and right movements.

As shown in the video, the touchpad in the center makes navigation very convenient.

The official name is 'Siri Remote,' and it includes Siri, as seen in iOS devices.

However, don’t expect too much. Honestly, compared to Google Assistant, it's lacking. The issue lies more with policies than recognition, so it rarely executes commands as desired.

2. Apple Arcade

Subscription canceled. I've barely used Apple Arcade in the past two years. The Apple remote isn’t great for gaming, and using a phone feels awkward. You need a separate game controller, but most games aren't A-grade to warrant this. Hence, I haven't used it much. However, there is potential. Recently, with the release of A-grade games like Death Stranding on iPhone 16 Pro, there might be plans to add such games to Apple TV...

• The latest Apple TV uses the A15 Bionic chip, the same as in the iPhone 13 Pro.

The next generation of Apple TV might make it possible. If so, Apple TV could become a versatile home entertainment device. The gaming market is significant, and this is one reason to look forward to the next-gen Apple TV.

In conclusion, subscribing to Apple Arcade now is a waste of money.

3. Photos, FaceTime

The Photos app on Apple TV allows you to view photos from your iOS Photos app. You can view photos via iCloud. It’s usable without a subscription, but with only 5GB of iCloud storage, it's limited. If you subscribe, you can easily view photos and videos you’ve taken.

From tvOS 17, you can use your iPhone as a camera for FaceTime. It's more suitable for large meeting rooms than for home use. The quality is quite good, making it worth trying occasionally.

4. AirPlay

You can connect AirPods near the TV, which is useful for watching TV at night without disturbing others. You can connect two AirPods simultaneously. It's a very useful feature.

Moreover, you can stream directly via AirPlay from devices like your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Overall Evaluation

Apple TV is, in many ways, a common set-top box, but I believe it has a lot of potential. However, this potential has been neglected for over a decade.

If the next generation device is given gaming capabilities, it could sell quite well.

2024.05.04 - [리뷰/잡탕] - Apple 맥 스튜디오 잡소리 (M2울트라)

2024.05.03 - [리뷰/잡탕] - 삼성 사운드바 간단 주저리 (HW-Q00A) 돌비 애트모스(Dolby Atmos)