Apple

Discusses all things Mac and Apple related.

Contact: Richard Corzo. Meets the second Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. at the DACS Resource Center.

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News and Notes

January 2014
By Richard Corzo

In January I was able to demo the Apple TV in the Resource Center as follow-up to my presentation on the Apple ecosystem at the general meeting. This little box connects to your high-definition TV and home Wi-Fi network to give you access to a couple of dozen "channels" or apps, such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, ESPN, and YouTube, as well as your own iTunes content. With a few exceptions, this does not give you access to live TV but instead to prerecorded movies, TV shows, and short videos. The Trailers app will show movie trailers, and can find show times in local theaters or availability for rental or purchase from iTunes.

For music you can try the new free iTunes Radio service, where you can choose from a selection of iTunes-created stations or create your own from an artist you like. You can also stream music and video from any computer on your network that's turned on and running iTunes. If your computer is not turned on, you can still listen to music you have purchased from iTunes (by streaming from iTunes in the Cloud) or, if you subscribe to the iTunes Match service ($25 a year), music from any source that you have previously imported into iTunes on your computer. (When you subscribe, iTunes Match will upload to the cloud any of your music that it can't match in its own library, so it's accessible even when your computer is not.)

The killer feature with the Apple TV that puts it ahead of other similar media streaming boxes is AirPlay. You can play on your TV or Apple-TV-connected home theater receiver any audio or video that you can access on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Although it is quick and easy to maneuver through the on-screen menus with the minimalist remote that comes with the Apple TV, you will probably find it easier to locate and select content on your mobile Apple device. Swipe up on the screen of your iOS device to reveal the control center, and look for the AirPlay symbol (rectangle with a superimposed triangle). That allows you to select any nearby AirPlay-capable devices, such as the Apple TV or another company's AirPlay-capable speakers, and play your selected content.

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