Mac Mini running tvOS?

[SuprUsrStan]

All speculation and wishing.

Does anyone think it is possible to get a "app" running on a mac mini hooked up to a TV to run tvOS and function just like a apple TV with the remote? I'd like to see an application that emulates tvOS in a fullscreen mode and interface with the applestore exactly the same way as new apple TV. Something like XBMC and still have the ability to tab out if necessary. Can it be done?

Thoughts?

 

[bolmsted]

All speculation and wishing.

Does anyone think it is possible to get a "app" running on a mac mini hooked up to a TV to run tvOS and function just like a apple TV with the remote? I'd like to see an application that emulates tvOS in a fullscreen mode and interface with the applestore exactly the same way as new apple TV. Something like XBMC and still have the ability to tab out if necessary. Can it be done?

Thoughts?

No. Mac Mini is running OSX on Intel CPUs. Apple TV4 is running tvOS on ARM A8 processors

 

[EnesM]

No. Mac Mini is running OSX on Intel CPUs. Apple TV4 is running tvOS on ARM A8 processors

Not even on a virtual machine? CPU wouldn't handle it?

 

[jbarley]

But you can use the "Report" button and ask the Moderator to delete them.

 

[bolmsted]

Not even on a virtual machine? CPU wouldn't handle it?

I'm sure the CPU could handle it but you'd have to find a VM emulator for it and get the tvOS software but it may be tied to serial number series.

 

[ActionableMango]

Well, partly, but it's not practical.

Apple has software for iOS developers called Simulator that simulates iOS devices including default applications. It is meant for testing your own applications across all supported iOS devices without having to actually own any of them. I hear the same tool is available in the AppleTV SDK now.

However, you'd be limited to the default applications + anything you wrote yourself. Applications downloaded from the App Store will not work.

Even if you were okay using only the built-in applications, there are certainly other problems. For example, would Simulator tie in the Mac Mini's IR sensor to the simulated ATV4 so you could use the remote? Would you be able to "full-screen" the simulated ATV output so you didn't have to see OS X or the development tools? I just have no idea.

Also, being in the developer program costs $99/year. You might as well just buy an ATV4 and stick it next to the Mac Mini.

 

[flychild]

Yeah would be nice, I'm thinking about just updating my Thunderbolt display to a DELL 43" ULTRA HD 4K MULTI CLIENT MONITOR and adding an Apple TV directly to the monitor. I also play my PS4 currently using a Capture card to my Thunderbolt display. But would like to have multiple NFL games running and also can play video games.

 

[Orizence]

There used to be a way to run the original Apple TV os on a Mac Mini running tiger, but all those files are long gone. I kinda wish I could find em, but oh well