Here are four Apple TV 4K features you might be missing out on

Through regular software updates and even the occasional hardware upgrade, Apple TV 4K gets better every year. But it really shines when paired with other Apple devices. When you use an Apple TV 4K device with other Apple products, you get the following four features.

Use HomePod for hands-free playback control

One of my favorite Apple ecosystem demosmagical moment” involving Apple TV 4K and HomePod.

When HomePod and Apple TV 4K are in the same home, you can control playback on Apple TV simply by speaking to HomePod.

Just ask Siri on HomePod for play, pause, forward or forward, or other standard playback controls. No need to press the Siri button on the Siri Remote.

Siri will know you’re referring to what’s playing on your Apple TV and act accordingly.

Remote apps on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch

Another convenient way to control your Apple TV 4K from another Apple device is remote application.

Apple’s remote app is available for iPhone, iPad, and even Apple Watch.

it provides with Physical Siri remotebut use one of your other devices.

However, remote applications can go further. For example, once you use the app on your iPhone, you can track the playback of what you’re watching through your iPhone’s lock screen. This is especially useful for modern devices with always-on displays.

I like to look at my iPhone and get a quick idea of ​​how long a show or movie is left. This is an easy way to track runtime without interfering with the Apple TV 4K itself.

InSight on iPhone, right where you want it

Insight is a tvOS 18 new features It works especially well when used on an iPhone.

InSight offers similar functionality to Prime Video X-ray function. It shows you information about the actors on screen at any given time, as well as the music that’s playing.

You can use InSight on the Apple TV 4K itself, but I found it to be more convenient and less distracting on the iPhone. InSight is available when using the iPhone’s remote app, allowing you to examine relevant messages without covering your TV screen with an InSight overlay.

HomePod audio experience

Finally, Apple TV 4K can be controlled via more than just HomePod requests. It also allows HomePods to become your designated speakers and gain additional functionality as a result.

On Apple TV 4K, open the Settings app, then turn on Video & Audio ⇾ Audio Output, then select HomePod or a HomePod stereo pair as the default audio output.

This way you can get Dolby Atmos support and also benefit from New tvOS 18.2 features:

When used with Apple TV 4K, Enhanced Conversation on HomePod (2nd generation) lets you hear speech more clearly over background sounds using real-time audio processing and machine learning.

I like this standard Enhance conversation function Offered by tvOS 18, but in the second-generation HomePod, the feature gets better in tvOS 18.2.

Apple TV 4K Features: Summary

Apple’s ecosystem of hardware and software has long been central to the company’s success. Apple TV 4K is a great example of why this ecosystem is so compelling. It’s a solid product on its own, but it really works best when paired with other Apple devices.

What are your favorite features of the Apple TV 4K ecosystem? Let us know in the comments.

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