Apple TV 4th Generation
© 2015 Apple
We knew Apple TV 4th Generation ($150-up) was coming, but we didn’t realize how child friendly it was. Case in point, the quantity and quality of children’s apps in the new Apple TV?App Store (accessible only from within Apple TV). These include apps that blur the line between “app” and “video”?like PBS Kids Video, StoryBots and YouTube. But there’s also Star Walk Kids, Monkey Preschool as well as apps from Sago Sago, Edoki, Curious Hat and Storytoys. This makes Apple TV a big deal for kids, because so many of us have huge, 1080p screens in our living rooms that are primarily used for PLAYING non-interactive content. So now you are more likely to PLAY WITH content. Here are some notes from our testing so far. The controllers, which you charge using your lighting cable (just like an iPhone or iPad), connect via Bluetooth and are just as responsive as any game console. Besides the small “Siri Remote”?that is included, Apple is promoting a $50 Nimbus SteelSeries controller that could be easily mistaken for an xBox or PlayStation controller. Look out, video game industry... you’re likely to be disrupted. This new Apple TV also has built-in assistive technologies that could be lifesavers for some. Besides the Siri voice features, there’s a set of accessibility features. Triple click the “home” button to turn them on/off. Is the Apple TV?experience as rich as one made possible by a multi-touch tablet??No.?But I’m convinced it can (and will) deliver quality children’s interactive content to the big screen. It’s another content pipeline.
$150, Apple TV
Teaches: a game and video delivery system