Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
• Useaqualityrouter.Routersareessentiallydedicatedcomputers,andtheirper-
formanceisdependentinpartontheirprocessors.Olderorpoorqualityrouters
may not be able to keep up with intensive tasks like AirPlay gaming. I've had
great results with my AirPort Express from Apple. If your router is a few years
old, consider an upgrade for a faster processor.
• Many game developers recommend that you force quit background apps on the
iOS device, though others claim that background apps do not affect perform-
ance.ToquitanappiniOS,doublepresstheHomebuttontorevealbackground
apps. Then, in iOS 6, tap the app's X badge; in iOS 7, drag the app's image up
and off the screen.
Ifyou'vetriedalltheseideasandyourAirPlaygamingexperienceisstilllaggy,theparticular
iOS device you're playing on may not have enough CPU horsepower, and the only solution
may be a new iPad or iPhone. Sorry!
iOS Games Made for AirPlay
Technically, you can play any iOS (or Mac) game on the Apple TV with AirPlay Mirroring.
But some games are designed with AirPlay in mind.
What's the difference between a game designed for AirPlay and one that isn't? In a word,
optimization. Some AirPlay games feature special controls (or can be played only through
AirPlay!). But the real difference is aspect ratio, the ratio of width to height.
Onceuponatime,backwhenTVswereheavyboxythings,mostscreensfeatureda4:3aspect
ratio,whichisrelativelysquarecomparedtowidemovie-theaterdisplays.Whentheindustry
made the transition to HD and away from bulky, fuzzy tube displays, it also switched TV
screens, for the most part, to the more cinematic 16:9 ratio.
Today, these aspect ratios coexist in the Apple ecosystem. The iPad (all models) features a
4:3aspectratio,whiletheiPhone5,iPhone5s,andfifth-generationmodelsoftheiPodtouch
have widescreen 16:9 displays. The iPhone 4 and 4S have a funky 3:2 aspect ratio.
So,ifyouAirPlaya4:3iPadontoa16:9TV,you'llseebigblackbarsonthesidesofthescreen.
It'snotadealbreaker,butit'salsonotthefullexperience.Ontheotherhand,almostanyapp
AirPlayed from a 16:9 iPhone (or iPod touch) looks great on a 16:9 TV.
When game developers optimize for AirPlay, they add what feels like magic by making sure
the game will fill a 16:9 display when appropriate. The apps listed here will always fill your
display, no matter if you're using a 4:3 iPad, a 3:2 iPhone, or a 16:9 iPod touch.
Here's an alphabetical list of the best games to play with an Apple TV.
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