Apple TV Go: iPad Pro Modded Into Portable tvOS Device

[MacRumors]

Apple TV enthusiast Sigmund Judge has modded an iPad Pro into a portable Apple TV. The project involved modifying an Apple TV for USB-C power, routing the Apple TV's HDMI signal onto the iPad with a USB video capture device, and more.

Judge even created a custom Magic Keyboard with a silver enclosure and black keys to match the design of the Apple TV's Siri Remote.

The modded device is called the Apple TV Go, and Judge published a story on MacStories today with complete details about the project for those interested in learning more about the complex steps that were involved in building it.

Article Link: Apple TV Go: iPad Pro Modded Into Portable tvOS Device

 

[jvchappy]

... but why?

 

[kiensoy]

I remember when Apple included Front Row and a remote with every Mac to do just that. I wish they would bring it back.

 

[oasantos1]

... but why?

That was my exact thought.

 

[macfacts]

So this is an apple tv+magic keyboard+iPad pro? Can't an iPad pro + magic keyboard do everything this can do? What's the point of adding the apple tv?

 

[JKBRV]

... but why?

Exactly??? Why???

 

[jz0309]

I mean, why not use the ATV app and all the other streaming media apps?

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

So this is an apple tv+magic keyboard+iPad pro? Can't an iPad pro + magic keyboard do everything this can do? What's the point of adding the apple tv?

No way Macstories is doing an article about "man watches Netflix on an iPad"

 

[alchemistmuffin]

So how long before Apple sends a cease and desist to force the modder to undo the mod? Because I’m sure it’s against Apple’s TOS for using tvOS……

 

[dork]

I already have an iPad that I use exclusively as a TV - I just run all the apps on it (Apple TV +, Hulu, Netflix, Max, etc etc). I do not for the life of me understand why someone would undertake such a clunky workaround to accomplish something that an iPad can already do without any modifications at all.

 

[GimmeDatApple]

Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do something.

 

[match14]

 

[SigurTom]

I, too, enjoy the least efficient way possible.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't understand the "why" of it all. It makes no sense seeing as the Apple TV app is already available on iPad.

 

[Holodeck2015]

Next up, I modded an Apple Watch to have a physical sweeping hour and minute hand...

 

[Veinticinco]

And this, ladies and gents, is what it looks like from behind...a Velcro'd atrocity 🤮

 

[c84216]

... but why?

Literally clicked on this thread to write that verbatim. Glad it was the first post.

 

[buddhistMonkey]

Why not?

 

[DaveOP]

So how long before Apple sends a cease and desist to force the modder to undo the mod? Because I’m sure it’s against Apple’s TOS for using tvOS……

They didn't really hack anything, they're just powering an AppleTV off USB-C and feeding the HDMI in via a supported capture card. This is the kind of stuff MacStories does for fun, not something that is reasonable or that they expect anyone else would do.

 

[Mcsnee]

... but why?

The linked article explains that he specifically wanted to be able to portably test tvOS functionality for development purposes, which makes a lot more sense than going through this rigamarole to watch TV (as iPadOS already allows via app).

 

[mystery hill]

It doesn’t look very portable to me.

 

[crsh1976]

There are really no tvOS-exclusive apps as it is, it's essentially the cut-down OS of an iPad but with a TV UI.

So why would you want a cut-down version on your iPad, reducing its usefulness along the way, other than to prove it can be done?

 

[hieranonymous]

I don’t get it. 🥹

 

[Chrjy]

That has to be the weirdest and most pointless mod ever.

 

[FlyGuyDEN]

This is just about the stupidest 💩I've ever seen...WHYYYYY? It has an ATV APP! #epicfail