Sorry, AirPlay — I believe the iPhone 15 simply stole your thunder.
When Apple introduced iOS 17 (which is out immediately) again in June at WWDC, it revealed a brand new AirPlay function that promised to repair the fully damaged lodge TV expertise. Should you’ve ever stayed in a lodge, you’ve doubtless given up attempting to get your personal content material on the tv and simply accepted going by way of the information, finally rewatching episodes of The Workplace on Comedy Central. It’s a destiny most of us have needed to settle for — even within the 12 months 2023.
AirPlay can’t clear up this downside quick sufficient
Effectively, Apple thinks it may repair this inherently crappy expertise with AirPlay. The corporate says that, with iOS 17, supported televisions in accommodations will now allow you to AirPlay content from your Apple device directly to the TV. In keeping with the press launch from again in June, the primary accommodations will begin to help this function by the tip of the 12 months.
Sharing content material utilizing AirPlay is even simpler with on-device intelligence now studying a consumer’s preferences. AirPlay will even work with supported televisions in accommodations, permitting customers to simply get pleasure from their favourite content material on the TV when touring. Constructed with a basis of privateness and safety, this functionality will probably be out there earlier than the tip of the 12 months in choose accommodations, beginning with manufacturers from IHG Lodges & Resorts.

Whereas I’d like to reside on this future the place I examine into my lodge room and throw a film onto my TV utilizing AirPlay, I’ve a sense that Tesla Roadster may present up earlier than this (that’s a extremely lengthy timeline, simply FYI). All the downside with this plan is that almost all lodge televisions are previous, man. Solely comparatively new TVs help AirPlay, and even new fashions delivery immediately could possibly be lacking the function.
I doubt that Motel 6 goes to exchange all of their televisions to help AirPlay anytime quickly, so whereas some extra premium lodge manufacturers may embrace this future, most individuals aren’t going to have this feature for years to come back. That’s the place the iPhone 15 comes swooping in to save lots of the day.
USB-C to the rescue
Whereas we await this lovely AirPlay future, the iPhone 15 is perhaps the answer to the crappy lodge TV expertise within the interim. In a support document, Apple has revealed that the USB-C port on the brand new iPhone allows video and audio choices that beforehand didn’t exist for iPhones with a Lightning port.
In keeping with the doc, the USB-C port on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro fashions will permit customers to attach their telephone to a tv and output 4K decision at 60Hz with help for HDR10 or Dolby Imaginative and prescient (with the suitable adapter or cable, in fact).
You’ll be able to join your iPhone to an HDMI show or TV with a USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable. Adapters and cables that help HDMI 2.0 can output video from your iPhone at 4K decision and 60Hz.
The Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter is suitable with iPhone. This adapter can output video from iPhone at as much as 4K decision and 60Hz,1 together with content material in HDR10 or Dolby Imaginative and prescient in case your show or TV helps HDR.
That may be a big improve from the earlier expertise with the Lightning port, which may solely ship video out in 1080p. In a world the place most accommodations have a minimum of upgraded to bigger 4K TVs, we are able to lastly get the total decision despatched out from our iPhone. And, since virtually all new 4K TVs help 60Hz and a few type of HDR, you’ll be hard-pressed to not get that profit from numerous TVs in additional premium accommodations.

Whereas I’d like it if AirPlay took over accommodations instantly, I believe the iPhone 15 and its USB-C port is the hero that may truly swoop in to save lots of our crappy TV expertise on our holidays. As an alternative of needing to roll the cube on what your choices will probably be, there may be one factor that just about each lodge TV has: an HDMI port. So, so long as you deliver alongside a suitable cable or adapter, you possibly can simply obtain some films to your iPhone and hook it as much as your lodge room TV straight. Crappy leisure choices: Solved.
In fact, you’ll have to have some degree of dedication to make use of this workaround, however a comparatively easy and simple workaround it’s. Most individuals, in fact, will proceed to simply accept their destiny of the information and reruns of The Workplace. Don’t fear, Comedy Central, you’re secure…for now.