General Apple Megathread

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Can anyone recommend a cheap-ish Mfi controller for Apple TV? Bonus points if it can also be used on Nintendo Switch.

My kid keeps wanting to try Apple Arcade games, most require a controller, but I can see him losing interest quickly. For $47 I can get something like this that claims to be cross-platform: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07HG51ZYK/

Any other recommendations for Apple TV?

8bitdo make some of the best 3rd party controllers around, and support xinput (Windows), dinput (Android), macOS and Switch

https://www.amazon.ca/8Bitdo-Bluetoo...2928273&sr=8-6

[MacDaddy77]

Question about lightening to
HDMI vs Apple TV to watch live tv.
I purchased a lightening to HDMI so I could watch playoff games on my phone to tv when we’re camping at daughters horse show. I’m getting sound but no picture on live tv (TSN/Sportsnet) but Netflix/Disney +/Amazon prime all work sound and picture.

Would using an Apple TV connected to tv and streamed from iPhone work instead of the lightening to HDMI?

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Question about lightening to
HDMI vs Apple TV to watch live tv.
I purchased a lightening to HDMI so I could watch playoff games on my phone to tv when we’re camping at daughters horse show. I’m getting sound but no picture on live tv (TSN/Sportsnet) but Netflix/Disney +/Amazon prime all work sound and picture.

Would using an Apple TV connected to tv and streamed from iPhone work instead of the lightening to HDMI?

There's probably an HDCP issue with the live TV. An Apple TV will work using Airplay if the app supports it, or you could use your phone as a wifi hotspot and use the Apple TV apps.

[MacDaddy77]

Originally Posted by DownInFlames

There's probably an HDCP issue with the live TV. An Apple TV will work using Airplay if the app supports it, or you could use your phone as a wifi hotspot and use the Apple TV apps.

So getting an Apple TV instead and using airplay (no wifi or direct stream) from phone to allele tv wil fix this? My phone plays the games through ram/Sportsnet on data but not playing video through the HDMI to lightening

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

So getting an Apple TV instead and using airplay (no wifi or direct stream) from phone to allele tv wil fix this? My phone plays the games through ram/Sportsnet on data but not playing video through the HDMI to lightening

Yes, it should work as long as the app supports Airplay. You have to make sure both your phone and the Apple TV are not connected to wifi which shouldn’t be a problem when camping.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by DownInFlames

There's probably an HDCP issue with the live TV. An Apple TV will work using Airplay if the app supports it, or you could use your phone as a wifi hotspot and use the Apple TV apps.

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

So getting an Apple TV instead and using airplay (no wifi or direct stream) from phone to allele tv wil fix this? My phone plays the games through ram/Sportsnet on data but not playing video through the HDMI to lightening

Both ways should work. I have had better luck with the hotspot route in similar scenarios (more stable and your phone won't interrupt the stream if you get a call), but in theory AirPlay should also do the job.

[MacDaddy77]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Both ways should work. I have had better luck with the hotspot route in similar scenarios (more stable and your phone won't interrupt the stream if you get a call), but in theory AirPlay should also do the job.

So you would have the Sportsnet app on apple Tv already and use phone as hotspot? am i understanding you correctly?

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

So you would have the Sportsnet app on apple Tv already and use phone as hotspot? am i understanding you correctly?

Yup. That’s what I would do.

[MacDaddy77]

so I tried just using the lightning to HDMI on sportsnet.ca and it worked so definitely something with the app. Now I don't have to rush out and buy an Apple TV.

Thanks for the comments.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

So you would have the Sportsnet app on apple Tv already and use phone as hotspot? am i understanding you correctly?

Correct!

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

so I tried just using the lightning to HDMI on sportsnet.ca and it worked so definitely something with the app. Now I don't have to rush out and buy an Apple TV.

Thanks for the comments.

The best way is the way that works. Happy viewing!

[OldDutch]

Have to say I maybe way late to the game, but installing Homebridge on a Rasberry Pi has been awesome. I had an Alexa ecosystem and frankly it sucks. Completely unreliable skills and Alexa devices are trojan adware.

I now have reliable commands with Wemo and my Ring on Home app. Love it!

[powderjunkie]

I'll have to wade back through the thread to get some opinions when it launched, but looking for recommendation on new Macbook Air.

I'm coming off a mid 2012 Air that is still serving me well enough (just a few niggling inconveniences), but an intermittent screen problem and a few features becoming obsolete indicate it's on it's last legs. Frequent, but generally simple use...tech savvy to troubleshoot (e.g. I replaced the battery in this 2012 myself), but not really a geek.

In other words, not too worried about performance today, but moreso which will perform better in 4 years, 6 years, 8 years?


Debating:
Refurbished 13inch Intel i5 (March 2020) - $1214.
vs.
Refurbished 13inch M1 8core/8core (Nov 2020) - $1369


Most specs otherwise identical; seems like just a few keyboard changes and a touch ID sensor on the newer version.

My question is, what seems more more likely:
1. In 4-5 years I'll start running into compatibility issues from being stuck on Intel chip

2. Reliability problems at anytime with the first generation M1 (seems like a lot more technical eggs in one basket, so repairs might be more difficult/costly?)


Price isn't much of an issue, though I'm always happy to save a few bucks. New M1 8core/7core is $1299, but half size HDD might be limiting.

[cam_wmh]

Get the m1 chip. It’ll last you another decade, at least. It’s a powerhouse.

[Galakanokis]

I know Apple will still develop for Intel as the Mac Pro line will still be Intel based on its next release but if I had the choice I go M series all the way. Lack of ports is what hurts the Air not much else.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

I know Apple will still develop for Intel as the Mac Pro line will still be Intel based on its next release but if I had the choice I go M series all the way. Lack of ports is what hurts the Air not much else.

On that note, do 3rd party dongles solve that well enough?

[photon]

I've got a big hub or docking station or whatever that plugs into 1 USB-C port on my MBP and it gives me everything I need, so yeah they work fine, just some people would rather not have something hanging off their laptop.

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

On that note, do 3rd party dongles solve that well enough?

Yeah, I used a few different ones over the years, Vavo or deevo something like that. Range around $50-$80 with extra USB, HDMI and network.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Apple Music now has lossless, high res lossless, dolby atmos capabilities. Not sure when this went live but I only noticed a couple days ago.

You have to explicitly turn it on via settings/music to enable streaming and DL in lossless or high res lossless. You have to manually re-download all music that is eligible if you want the lossless/high res versions.

I can finally put my 256gb phone to good use. Went from about 80 to 180 gigs. It's a bit of a chore to delete and redownload all the music but it also allowed me to do a lot of housekeeping on my library.

[ResAlien]

That is as long as you’re not playing it via Bluetooth. Stays the way it was before if you do, are you using a wired connection to play music from your phone during the day?

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Yeah that's the only thing that sucks, no lossless on BT. I only use a wired connection about half the time, if that, but I figure I might as well have it DL'd for when I want it.