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Top 10 AirPlay-compatible apps

AirPlay, Apple's technology that lets you stream media from your iOS device to your TV, is also built into some apps. Here are the top 10.

Sharon Profis Vice President of Content, CNET Studios
As the Vice President of CNET Studios, Sharon leads the video, social, editorial design, and branded content teams. Before this role, Sharon led content development and launched new verticals for CNET, including Wellness, Money, and How To. A tech expert herself, she's reviewed and covered countless products, hosted hundreds of videos, and appeared on shows like Good Morning America, CBS Mornings, and the Today Show. An industry expert, Sharon is a recurring Best of Beauty Awards judge for Allure. Sharon is an avid chef and hosts the cooking segment 'Farm to Fork' on PBS nationwide. She's developed and published hundreds of recipes.
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  • Webby Award ("How To, Explainer, and DIY Video"); Folio Changemaker Award, 2020
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Sharon Profis
3 min read

If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, and an Apple TV, you're most likely familiar with AirPlay. It's a feature built-into iOS devices that lets you stream videos, music, YouTube videos, and photos from your devices to your home theater system without any cables.

But now developers have begun integrating AirPlay with their apps, allowing you to stream in-app content to your Apple TV or (other AirPlay-compatible product.)

There are only a couple dozen AirPlay-enabled apps, but we've picked the top 10 free and paid apps that bring entertaining and educational content to the big screen.

Top 10 AirPlay-compatible apps (photos)

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  1. TED (free)
    This popular app is filled with more than 900 on-demand videos of experts around the world giving talks about various topics. Subjects range from "Five ways to listen better," to "How algorithms shape our world," and "Building a dinosaur from a chicken."

    Intimidated by these topics? Don't be. The most addicting part of TED is that these experts have a way of presenting otherwise complicated topics in an understandable way.

  2. iMovie ($4.99)
    With AirPlay, any movies you fashion in Apple's signature video editor can be streamed to your television for easier viewing when the family's over.

  3. IMDb (free)
    Movie buffs who are addicted to IMDb should certainly grab this app, which brings the entire encyclopedia of all things TV and film to your iDevice.

    The app includes movie trailers, and with AirPlay, you can stream those trailers to your HDTV for a better viewing experience.

  4. Vevo HD (free)
    Vevo (the arguably cleaner version of YouTube for music), offers a video library of music videos, streaming concerts, and other music-related content in a beautiful interface for all iOS devices.

    It's AirPlay-compatible, so you can stream your favorite music videos or watch a streaming concert on the big screen.

  5. FitnessClass (free)
    This freemium app is loaded with butt-kicking workout videos begging to be played on your home television. The latest update includes AirPlay support, so you can now launch any of the 10- to 90-minute workouts on the big screen to help you meet those New Years' resolutions. (Or at least try.)

  6. Discovery Channel HD (free)
    "Shark Weeks" fanatics, rejoice: this app is filled with extra shark-related content ready to be streamed to your TV with AirPlay. Full episodes of "Shark Week" and other Discovery Channel shows aren't available, but the app is stocked with supplementary videos like behind the scenes, interviews, and quizzes.

  7. Science360 (free)
    Calling all science geeks! Here's a free, AirPlay-compatible iPad app filled with hundreds of videos covering all things science. Launch a video and tap the AirPlay button to learn about underwater excavations, lasers, the human body, and other geeky stuff on your HDTV.

  8. Martha Stewart Makes Cookies ($2.99)
    If you've been waiting for an excuse to let out your inner baker, here's the perfect opportunity. Newbies and seasoned bakers can browse through dozens of cookie recipes in a clean interface, and learn from the how-to videos, available for TV streaming via AirPlay.

  9. NPR (free)
    With the National Public Radio app, the latest news, on-demand shows (like "This American Life"), and local station streaming are ready to be played back to your home theater with AirPlay. The app also allows you to create a playlist of on-demand content, making it easy to keep up with the latest NPR shows.

  10. PBS (free)
    Those nostalgic for the good ol' shows like "Antiques Roadshow," "History Detectives," "Nova," and "Secrets of the Dead" will love this free PBS app. All these shows (and more) are available on demand, and can be streamed to your TV using AirPlay.