<div><div data-journey-hook="client-content" data-testid="BodyWrapper"><div><p><span>For years, I've</span> had recurring problems using smart home devices on Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem. A string of <a href="https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-outdoor-security-cameras/">security cameras</a> and <a href="https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-video-doorbells/">video doorbells</a>, most notably the <a data-event-click="{&quot;element&quot;:&quot;ExternalLink&quot;,&quot;outgoingURL&quot;:&quot;https://cna.st/affiliate-link/d5Zy5wnNZ5Wxssbu5CDn9VKm7GTKZnBSLAzp3yqqhgoUTZtkqov9m41k2LbEAjgqZGPX8kznGdeS6Lt2dfndUQHchZaugtcLdR2ke63LmxhXajpRiFYV11R7JmAuPkGpVC2EGqthnXWL5WWYG1e1zZRCyey6zngy2fSNrm164MTkZNSJmBXyFxqR5u2nGj4gDWm&quot;}" data-offer-url="https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HPGS2VC/A/logitech-circle-view-wired-doorbell" href="https://cna.st/affiliate-link/d5Zy5wnNZ5Wxssbu5CDn9VKm7GTKZnBSLAzp3yqqhgoUTZtkqov9m41k2LbEAjgqZGPX8kznGdeS6Lt2dfndUQHchZaugtcLdR2ke63LmxhXajpRiFYV11R7JmAuPkGpVC2EGqthnXWL5WWYG1e1zZRCyey6zngy2fSNrm164MTkZNSJmBXyFxqR5u2nGj4gDWm" rel="sponsored" target="_blank">Logitech Circle View Doorbell</a>, would work fine for periods, but they'd inexplicably fail to record video or would randomly disconnect from the network. I chalked it up to a bug with the HomeKit Secure Video framework. However, the minute I set an <a href="https://www.wired.com/review/apple-tv-4k-2022/">Apple TV 4K</a> as my Home Hub, my HomeKit cameras began to work nearly flawlessly.</p><p>This is the Apple TV's secret power: It should be the heart of any Apple smart home system. But little did I know it would soon <a href="https://www.wired.com/review/chromecast-with-google-tv/">dethrone Chromecast</a> to become my favorite <a href="https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-4k-streaming-devices/">streaming device ever</a>. This unobtrusive black box, with its reassuringly solid aluminum remote, is elegant, slick, and packed with delightful features that genuinely add value.</p><blockquote><p>If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. <a href="https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/"><strong>Learn more</strong></a>.</p></blockquote><p>Home Hub Hullabaloo</p><p>I bought the Apple TV 4K Wi‑Fi + Ethernet with 128 GB of storage not just because it can act as a Home Hub, but also because it can serve as a Matter controller and <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-matter/#use">Thread border router</a>. Matter allows you to easily <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-matter/">add and control</a> all kinds of gadgets with your smart home platform of choice, and Thread devices can form their own network (free from your Wi-Fi network's congestion) and react speedily to commands, even when your internet goes down. Since I test a lot of smart home gear for my job, having a dedicated hub made sense to hook up my revolving door of security cameras, <a href="https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-smart-lighting/">smart lights</a>, and other gadgets to Apple’s ecosystem.</p><p>To be clear, you don't <em>need</em> to have a Home Hub for HomeKit smart home products to operate on your network. You <em>do</em> need one if you want to control them remotely. Nevertheless, everything from smart shades to motion sensors is more responsive and reliable than when I used my <a href="https://www.wired.com/gallery/the-best-ipad/">iPad</a> as a Home Hub. Flaky connectivity and unreliable automations have mostly been banished by this little black box, and I love the option to <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-ethernet/">hook up Ethernet</a> for a more stable connection.</p><p>The first time someone rang the doorbell while we were watching TV, a small popup at the bottom right of the screen displayed the live video feed from the doorbell. “Wow, we’re living in the future!â€ my eldest kid remarked. It’s a small but handy feature that means my kids have to answer when we can see it’s one of their pals (or hunker down and hide from cold callers).</p><p>It's the Little Things</p><p>After the Apple TV 4K fixed my HomeKit issues, I started using its primary function of, you know, streaming. Free of <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/advertising-services-devices-rant/">the relentless creep of ads</a> you’ll find in many smart TV interfaces and other streaming devices, the picture quality is top-notch. WIRED's resident A/V editor, Parker Hall, explains why it is the best premium streaming device <a href="https://www.wired.com/review/apple-tv-4k-2022/">in his review</a>. But for me, the little features elevate this diminutive box.</p><p>One lockdown habit I retained is <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-work-out-from-home/">working out</a> in the living room. My battle against <a href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2017/07/why-do-we-get-middle-age-spread">middle-aged spread</a> involves kickboxing, high-intensity interval training, and yoga workouts using <a href="https://www.wired.com/review/apple-fitness-plus/">Apple Fitness+</a>, and having an Apple TV makes it all super slick. I can pick a workout on my <a href="https://www.wired.com/gallery/iphone-buying-guide/">iPhone</a>, send it to the TV, and start or pause it on my <a href="https://www.wired.com/tag/apple-watch/">Apple Watch</a>. The Apple TV shows my heart rate and burn bar on the screen so I can track my effort. Thanks to the onscreen doorbell, I can crank the music up loud without worrying about missing a delivery.</p><p>There are lots of other nice features. You can use the Apple TV for a <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-sing-along-apple-music-spotify/">karaoke night</a>. You can connect <a href="https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-mobile-game-controllers-for-iphone-android/">mobile game controllers</a> and jump into <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-apple-arcade/">Apple Arcade</a>. You can connect <a href="https://www.wired.com/review/airpods-pro-2023-usb-c/">AirPods</a> to listen when you need a quiet room. You get a notification pop-up on your iPhone for easier typing every time there’s a text field on the Apple TV. And <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-use-shareplay-apple-iphone-ipad-mac/">SharePlay</a> lets you watch movies or work out with friends over FaceTime. You can also use the <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/use-your-phone-as-webcam/">iPhone as a webcam</a> for FaceTime calls on the TV too.</p></div></div></div>