Apple TV 4K users got a huge surprise today, and none of us who keep up with tech were prepared for it. I certainly wasn’t. Quietly, Apple released an update to allow for Zoom compatibility.
The update arrived without any notice and poof. Suddenly, all our Apple TVs were Zoom compatible. Well, most of them got the update.
What is Zoom and Apple TV 4K?
First, if you’re not as familiar with the products involved, Zoom is a video conference software application that lets you talk to people around the world, one-on-one or in groups, from just about anywhere. It’s been popular application used in many sectors for a while, but it exploded in popularity during 2020 and 2021. Since that period, Zoom’s popularity hasn’t waned at all.
Apple TV 4K is Apple’s latest move outside of the mobile and laptop spaces. It’s a small box that gets set on or near your TV, and it allows you to stream your favorite content from a multitude of the best streaming sites in 4K. Essentially, it’s the hottest new streaming device, and it’s already beating out the FireStick and similar alternatives.
A Silent Release for Long-Awaited Features
This update comes after an earlier update that let us use the continuity camera built into the Apple TV. It was expected that apps would start popping up to take advantage of that, but getting Zoom is a major game changer, and Apple never told us when we’d get it.
Keep in mind, that only Apple TV 4K 2nd gen devices have continuity cameras. So, if you’re using an older model, you’re going to miss out on this one. As someone who doesn’t update their tech every year, I feel your pain.
Who This is For and Why It Matters
If you’re currently using Zoom, you might wonder why any of this matters at all.
Well, it adds another layer of usability to the app. If you use Zoom a lot for business meetings or collaborations, having to drop what you’re doing to get a Zoom-enabled device up and running is a pain. With it running out of your TV, that’s one more thing you can be using, get a notification to hop on, and instantly jump into action.
If you’re a new Zoom user this is the perfect casual way to get into it. Through your TV, you can now call grandparents, get a hold of the kids when they’re off at college, set up a conference call with friends to have a guy’s night even when life is too busy to meet up, or anything else you can imagine. You don’t have to worry about navigating quirky menus, setting anything up, or trying to stay in the frame. You just get on the app, start, or answer a call, and it’s smooth sailing.
This doesn’t completely revolutionize the video call world, but it gives you a solid, low-hassle platform to run all your video calls, and there are way more uses for it than I can dive into with this short article.
