Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
flix,islikemowingthelawnwithnailclippers.I'lllookcarefullyateachoftheseinputoptions
in
Control Your Apple TV
, but here's a quick overview to get you through setup:
•
Recent iOS device, running iOS 7:
With iOS 7 installed on an iPhone 5 or
later, third-generation iPad or later (including a first-generation iPad mini), or
fifth-generationiPodtouch,yourinitialsetupisdrasticallysimplified.However,
all the initial setup does is speed you through inputting your Apple ID creden-
tials and (possibly) your wireless network login. If you'll be signing in to addi-
tional services or searching within your Apple TV content, install Apple's free
Remote
app on your iOS device to make it possible to type using your device's
onscreen keyboard instead of the Apple Remote.
•
An iOS device running at least iOS 5:
After the first few minutes of setup,
the
Remote
app is a good option for entering logins and for searching.
•
Bluetooth keyboard:
A Bluetooth keyboard makes it easy to enter your cre-
dentials. You (or a friend) may have a Bluetooth keyboard connected to a com-
puteroriOSdevicethatyoucanborrowtemporarilytosimplifysetup.Or,ifyou
haveanextrakeyboard,keepitconnectedtotheAppleTVpermanentlytomake
it easier to navigate the interface. (If you don't own a Bluetooth keyboard, you
canusetheType2PhoneapptocontrolyourAppleTVfromaMac.However,the
setup can be tricky; see
Control the Apple TV with Your Mac's Keyboard
.)
•
Apple Remote:
The interface for typing with the Apple Remote leaves a lot to
be desired, but it can be done.
No Remote App for You!
You might think, “Hey, I'll set up the Apple TV with Ethernet, pair the iOS Remote app
(which runs on older iOS devices), and enter my Wi-Fi password that way!
That would be a clever solution, but Apple inexplicably prevents it. If you plug in an
Ethernet cable, you lose the option to connect to a Wi-Fi network, even if you're in the
middle of typing your Wi-Fi password! However, you can use the Remote app to log in
to Netflix, Hulu, and other services. See
Run the Remote App
.
VoiceOver for the Vision Impaired
If you're visually impaired and need assistance with the setup menus, press the
Play/Pause button on the Apple Remote (the button to the lower-right) three times.
VoiceOver reads the menu options to you.
