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2013 Apple TV revision gets its first exclusive feature: iOS 8’s Peer-to-Peer AirPlay

Peer-to-peer-airplay-ioS-8-012

When Apple released Apple TV software update 7.0 earlier this month, it came with support for new iOS 8 features including the new Peer-to-Peer AirPlay feature. First announced when Apple unveiled iOS 8 earlier this year, Peer-to-Peer AirPlay allows users on iOS 8 and the upcoming OS X Yosemite release to stream content to an Apple TV without having to connect to the same wireless network. What we didn’t know at the time, however, is that the feature is limited to only the latest Apple TV hardware:

Peer-to-peer AirPlay requires a Mac device (2012 or later) running OS X 10.10 or an iOS device (2012 or later) running iOS 8 and an Apple TV third-generation rev A (model A1469) running Apple TV software 7.0.

Apple updated a support document and its website days after the Apple TV software released to mention the requirement above. While we already knew the latest Apple TV update was limited to third-gen models, it appears Apple will only offer peer-to-peer AirPlay on model A1469. That’s the refreshed third-gen Apple TV it quietly released in March 2013 with upgraded internals, although it’s unclear exactly why the feature is limited to the newest hardware. At the time, Apple said component changes in its refreshed third-gen Apple TV “don’t affect product features and Apple TV customers will continue to have the same great user experience.” The Peer-to-Peer AirPlay requirement makes it the first feature exclusive to the latest 2013 Apple TV hardware.

If you purchased your third-gen Apple TV before then, you’re likely out of luck for the new Peer-to-Peer sharing feature.  You can learn how to check which model you have here.

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Comments

  1. PMZanetti - 10 years ago

    This probably explains why my neighbor’s AppleTV just suddenly started showing up as an AirPlay option. Talk about a security issue. No they are not hacking my WiFi.

    • Tim Jr. - 10 years ago

      hardly, unless you have your apply ID in their Apple TV.. which is the only way thats happening because the new AirPlay is directly tied to your AppleID.

      • PMZanetti - 10 years ago

        No, that is not how it works at all.

      • dragonitedd - 10 years ago

        Agree. Otherwise they will have to be on the same network.

      • ali365dash - 9 years ago

        It was Peer-to-Peer AirPlay. It had nothing to do with an Apple ID.

      • Jon Cohen - 8 years ago

        There is a password requirement that you set up when you install the system to prevent neighbors from mirroring their content onto your display, and visa versa.

    • Robert Nixon - 10 years ago

      You would think they’d do it like they do with AirDrop, using Bluetooth to bootstrap the connection, which would help limit proximity.

    • DirtySecksyRobot - 9 years ago

      I started noticing 2 new apple tv devices(my neighbors) on my phone, but when I try connecting to them for some “fun and games”, it asks for an onscreen code. So it’s not a security risk. Unfortunately.

  2. Dil Ribeiro - 10 years ago

    It’s not fair…

  3. ashtraywasp - 10 years ago

    Pretty weird it’s just the rev A model. Really weird in fact. From everything they said the rev A was effectively the exact same model, just with some manufacturing efficiency tweaks. Now it’s getting exclusive things.

    I’ve had an Apple TV 3 original since it first came out.

    • PMZanetti - 10 years ago

      No I believe the revision went from an A5 to A5X processor.

      • ashtraywasp - 10 years ago

        According to Anandtech and from what I remember, Apple. The only changes are ones relating to making it nicer and more efficient internally, but without any effect on its ultimate performance specs.

        The original 3rd generation kind of had a sloppy execution; they used a dual-core A5 SoC, but with one core completely turned off. The rev A had a new single-core A5, which meant a smaller die, a nicer heat sink and a bunch more internal design tweaks for efficiency including slightly different chips and rearrangements. It uses half the power of the original 3rd gen, although that barely used anything itself.

        http://www.anandtech.com/show/6834/apple-tv-2013-a1469-short-review-analysis-of-a-new-a5

  4. Robert Nixon - 10 years ago

    When word got out that a new Apple TV revision was coming out last year, a spokesperson from Apple went on record stating: “The component changes we made **don’t affect product features** and Apple TV customers will continue to have the same great user experience.

    • PMZanetti - 10 years ago

      I remember such comments as well. This is bullshit. Apple is having one hell of month. Pissing off a lot of people with a lot of failures.

      • nelmat - 10 years ago

        Care to name a single ‘failure’?

      • PMZanetti - 10 years ago

        1. iCloud Photo Library
        2. HealthKit
        3. SMS Relay
        4. Keynote livestream
        5. Pre-order fiasco
        6. Pre-order shipment handling
        7. Lack of much developer support for iOS 8 at launch
        8. Almost zero developer support for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus at launch (not devs fault)
        9. Bend-gate finally showing itself as real problem, as opposed to the niche problem it has been previously.

        There are other lesser items, but this entire month has been filled by un-Apple like failures. Are some of them first world problems? No. ALL of them are. Regardless. Its not what customers have come to expect from Apple.

      • Kirke - 10 years ago

        If you scratch your rim on the sidewalk to you complain that your totaled your car? Seems like you are prone to hyperbole.

      • Jassi Sikand - 10 years ago

        iCloud Photo Library – delayed until Mac Photos App
        HealthKit – probably security bug, but yes
        SMS Relay – delayed till Yosemite (b/c…Yosemite)
        Keynote Livestream – yes
        Pre-order related things – not sure what was a fiasco compared to every year
        Lack of support for iOS 8 at launch – untrue. So many apps have been updated for Metal and widgets
        Lack of support for iPhone 6/6+ – yes, exactly like 5
        Bend-gate – yes

        So only 2 (maybe 3) are actual problems.

      • therapcat - 10 years ago

        You also forgot about iOS 8.0.1. I updated to iOS 8.0.1 and my iPhone 6+ comes I tomorrow. Guess who can’t restore from their backup? This guy. And they didn’t release a downgrade firmware for the iphone 5S, so I can’t downgrade and then backup. I’ll have to wait the “few days” in reality, probably weeks until they fix it.

  5. GNZT (@GNZT) - 10 years ago

    Another example of built in redundancy via software, same ploy used on the iPhone 4S with AirDrop when iOS 7 came out and HandOff when iOS8 came out, theres no magic chips that make this software work, a Jail Broken 4S has AirDrop and as soon as iOS 8 Jailbreak is released so will handoff.. how else can they make you upgrade hardware that just keep on going…

    • driverbenji - 10 years ago

      It’s not possible to use Apple’s AirDrop on iPhone 4s, it doesn’t have WiFi direct (it was first released in 2011), and barely any Macs had WiFi direct yet. Whatever hack is available probably just works with other devices that have that, a “pretend” AirDrop. I have a mid 2010 MacBook Pro 13, it also does not have WiFi direct (nor BT4.0), but, MacBook Pros didn’t get wifi direct until 2012. (AirDrop between Yosemite and iOS 8 requires both devices have BT4.0/LE & WiFi direct.)

      • airmanchairman - 10 years ago

        I think it’s now called “Legacy AirDrop” by Apple and will be recognised as such by Apple Macs once they’ve upgraded to Yosemite. Remember it didn’t work between iOS and OS X devices in iOS7/OSX Mavericks.

        AppleInsider’s Dan Eran Dilger has written a very comprehensive article in the build up to iOS 8; it covers BlueTooth LE and its origins, WiFi Direct, AirDrop and iBeacon and more..

  6. ashtraywasp - 10 years ago

    Semi-confirmation of a new (potentially soonish) Apple TV in the Support page:

    “Guests can AirPlay from their Mac or iOS device directly to your Apple TV (model A1469 or later) without connecting to your wireless network.”

    “..OR LATER”

    • “..OR LATER”

      “..OR LAT3R”

      “..3”

      Half-Life 3 confirmed

      • ali365dash - 9 years ago

        Apple is Illuminati. Why?
        Apple has 5 letters.
        Letters. Let.
        Let has 3 letters.
        A triangle has 3 letters.
        Illuminati is a triangle.
        ILLUMINATI CONFIRMED!

      • ali365dash - 9 years ago

        What has Apple got to do with Half-Life 3?

  7. Tim - 10 years ago

    Reblogged this on HD Nazarene and commented:
    Finally! Now the Apple TV is truly a semi-portable presentation device. The newest model paired with a recent iPad can share presentations wirelessly, even without both devices being on the same network. This is great for several church, education and corporate situations.
    1. A guest speaker doesn’t have to be given full access to protected networks.
    2. If a network is down, a previously created presentation can still go on (as long as it doesn’t require internet access for content).
    3. Complex corporate and university networks don’t have to be burdened with local presentations, preserving bandwidth for mission-critical services.

  8. driverbenji - 10 years ago

    This is strange, as, pointed out by “ashtraywasp” the modifications made seemed to be only to make it cheaper to produce, nothing appeared to be upgraded, however, they also said that the changes reduced power consumption considerably. Considering doing AirPlay direct would obviously require WiFi direct hardware (which is also required for AirDrop in iOS 7), perhaps the WiFi chip is not the same as the A1427 …”Apple moved to a highly integrated ceramic package from USI for the WiFi/BT solution, which saved a good amount of board area.” (quote from page linked above). Either that or there is a difference in the BT hardware, includes low power LE (also required for AirDrop).

  9. Rick - 10 years ago

    I can’t see where the model number is on the back of the unit, but if I go to Settings/About it says my model number is MD119LL/A. How do I figure out which generation of hardware this is using that info?

    • Christopher Anderton - 10 years ago

      Rick, that’s the Apple order number for generation 3, and not the actual Model number. The Model number is at the back on your AppleTV (the flipside!). It’s quite hard to see it (dark gray background on black text). It’s a bit below the Apple Logo along with some logos for internationall electrical certifications.

  10. Rick - 10 years ago

    ok, found the model number. holy smokes, could that font be any smaller? needed reading glasses AND a magnifying glass to read it. not sure why the model number there differs from the model number in Settings, but turns out i have the Rev A model so this new functionality should work. looking forward to it. i’ve found Airplay streaming from my phone or laptop to be kind of hit and miss to the point i stopped trying to watch shows or videos streaming from my laptop. lots of stopping and starting. hopefully this new way of connecting will provide a more robust, reliable experience.

  11. Eddie Walner - 10 years ago

    OK, I’m a geezer and easily confused, so somebody please help me out. I have a Keynote presentation on my iPad Mini, Model FD534LL/A. connected to a 24 inch TV that I use in small groups for training purposes. Currently, to get the ‘mirroring’, I have to connect to the TV HDMI port with the Lightening Digital AV adaptor. It works fine, and eliminates any need for me to have a WiFi connection. The problem for me is that with the cable hookup, it makes me look like I’m stuck in the 90’s. If I understand the ‘P-to-P concept, I will soon be able to connect the latest Apple TV to the TV and communicate wirelessly from the iPad via bluetooth (I assume) and can ditch the Digital AV adaptor. Correct ?

  12. stickyicky97 - 10 years ago

    Screw all of this. How about releasing an App Store on the AppleTV and an Apple-banded controller and really get serious about gaming via AppleTV. Using Airply/Mirror and a bluetooth controller causes way too much lag.

  13. The Apple TV 3 can do 1080p, NO other Apple TV does that. I’d call that a pretty major exclusive feature.

  14. DirtySecksyRobot - 9 years ago

    living in an apartment I was suddenly going mad a few days ago trying to figure out why suddenly I’m seeing Apple TV(2) and Apple TV(3) in my list on my iOS devices. It also now takes longer for my non peer-to-peer capable apple tv 3rdGen to show up in the list, often I first have to turn it on with the remote. It’s as if my phone or ipad now see the others and stop searching. Yes, turns out those other to Apple TV devices are my neighbors, now that you don’t need to be on the same network, you can detect them albeit I can’t connect to them be cause (presumably by default) an onscreen code is required) shame though…the fun I would have.

    • I find it pretty annoying. I don’t want to see my neighbour’s AppleTVs. And I don’t want either of us to intentionally or accidentally start streaming stuff to each other. So stupid. We should have the option to hide outside devices from our AirPlay list.

  15. Stephanie Welch - 9 years ago

    Wow… Really? Using software/hardware compatibility limits to get people to shell out thousands to buy new hardware? Real smooth, Apple. Leaving users with older hardware in the dust… Typical.

    Look, if you want to get more satisfied customers, then why not make ALL features available on ALL kinds of hardware? You have the power and money to do so, so instead of “tricking” people into putting more into your pockets by using a gimmick, I say just make everything compatible with everything, even if you have to release smaller pieces of hardware to make it work. Simple.

    Oh, and another thing: stop charging so f@!$ing much for your products! Your outrageous prices really show how much you care…ABOUT YOURSELF.

    Sincerely,
    A diehard Apple fan who wishes things were done differently.

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.