Mac Format

Apple TV accessorie­s

Increase your enjoyment of Apple’s media box with these

- Alex blake

The way you use an Apple TV has stayed more or less the same ever since it first launched. With the box itself and Siri Remote, that’s pretty much all you really need to get going.

But that’s not to say you can’t get a better Apple TV setup with a few extras here and there.

A high-quality speaker for your TV, a keyboard to aid with navigation or a case to protect your Siri Remote can all improve your home entertainm­ent system, helping you get more from your Apple TV.

We’ve rounded up a range of products that each improve the Apple TV experience in a different way. Let’s see what we’ve got.

Logitech K380

£39.99 FROM Logitech, logitech.com FeatuRes bluetooth, connects up to three devices simultaneo­usly

This keyboard – with keys marked up with Apple icons – makes text entry on Apple TV far easier. It’s comfortabl­e and sturdy, and looks stylish too.

Its best feature is its ability to switch between devices. You can connect up to three devices at once; press the button correspond­ing to your desired device, then start typing. Sadly, not all of the media buttons work. Fast forward and rewind didn’t work on Apple TV or iOS; volume controls didn’t function on Apple TV. Annoying for sure, but a fairly minor frustratio­n considerin­g its benefits.

Optoma HD27e

£549.99 FROM Optoma, optoma.co.uk FeatuRes 1920x1080 resolution, 3,400 lumens brightness, 25,000:1 contrast ratio, 2x HDmI, 1x Usb-A, 3.5mm headphone jack, Kensington lock slot

This projector can expand your Apple TV viewing experience – literally – as it can project up to 7.65m diagonally. Picture quality is crisp and clear, and the device is very easy to set up. The only drawback is the sound – while it’s perfectly acceptable, it won’t exactly blow your socks off. But for £550, you’re getting a truly excellent budget projector that’ll take your Apple TV setup to the next level.

SteelSerie­s Nimbus

£49.95 FROM steelserie­s, steelserie­s.com FeatuRes rechargeab­le battery, Lightning port, bluetooth 4.1

The SteelSerie­s Nimbus is a console-like controller for tvOS (and iOS) games. It’s sturdy and well made, with a comfortabl­e grip and a familiar layout (at least for Xbox users). Pairing is quick and easy, too. But Apple TV will soon work with Xbox One S and PlayStatio­n DualShock 4 controller­s, making the Nimbus less of a must-buy, especially due to its limited compatibil­ity and relatively high price.

Elago R1 Intelli Case

£8.99 FROM elago, elago.com FeatuRes Wrist strap, silicone case

Though not as grippy as Apple’s silicone iPhone cases, the cladding on this Siri remote cover has raised bumps so it snugly fits in your hand. There’s a wrist strap for extra security, magnets to stick it to metal surfaces, and a range of colour options. The seams are a little rough, but for £9 we can hardly complain.

Sonos Beam

£399 FROM sonos, sonos.com FeatuRes Five Class-D digital amplifiers, Airplay 2, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, WiFi

Need the perfect soundbar for your Apple TV? Try this. The Sonos Beam packs a real audio punch, impressing us with its blend of superb acoustics and smart features. It’s got a clever pseudo-surround sound system that’s almost as good as the real thing, and special features to enhance voices and reduce bass at night. There’s voice control in the form of Siri, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, too.

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