Apple TV 101: Create a genius playlist on Apple TV

Of late, the Apple TV hasn't received all that much attention here at TUAW. We can only assume that's because it simply does what it says on the tin -- it just works! But the other day, I found myself trying to do something quite simple on my Apple TV, and it wasn't "just working!"

Using AirPlay to stream music from my Mac to my Apple TV (2nd generation) downstairs, I wanted to create a genius playlist on the Apple TV without going upstairs to my Mac or using the Remote app. Using the Apple remote, I started scrolling through all the various menu options to try and find any way to create a genius playlist from a particular artist's song, but I couldn't find anything anywhere. Out of sheer frustration -- guests were knocking at the door -- I squeezed the Apple remote and accidentally pushed down and held the center select button. All of a sudden, a menu appeared out of nowhere with a "start genius" option. Crisis averted!

So there you go. To create a genius playlist on an Apple TV (2nd generation), go to the artist's song you want to start the playlist with, hold down the center select button on the Apple Remote and click on "Start Genius."

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Of late, the Apple TV hasn't received all that much attention here at TUAW. We can only assume that's because it simply does what it...

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Shane Hsu

Well, you should really know how to do it. Apple uses the center button for genius on previous generations of iPod nano that supports it. It shouldn't be so hard to figure it out.

September 07 2011 at 6:39 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

srey0123

I suppose this is a pretty well-hidden feature. This was (well, is) a feature on the first-generation Apple TV, too.

July 22 2011 at 7:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Sue

For this to work you must have already set up a Genius in iTunes otherwise AppleTV reports "Genius not available". When I tried to set up Genius in iTunes, I got a response that the Store was busy and I couldn't proceed. Nice find, though - thanks!

July 22 2011 at 5:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Eideard

Still not upgrading to the ATV2 until it has the A5 and 1080p. Our ATV1 HDD died and we're watching a fair piece of IPTV in the study on the iMac instead of watching the HDTV in the livng room - but, until Cupertino recognizes other folks' hobby is a bit more up the tech scale, we're not popping for an Apple TV.

July 22 2011 at 4:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Eideard's comment

Pete M.

I'll never get why people take the time to comment on threads that obviously don't concern them because they're "not upgrading" to the product in question.

On a positive note, awesome tip - going to try tonight when I get home...

July 22 2011 at 4:52 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to Pete M.'s comment

Adam

Agreed, plus, with an investment of $99, I'm fine with what the ATV2 offers until the next iteration comes around. Plus, given how far you sit from the TV vs an iMac, the difference of 720p to 1080p is, in many cases, indistinguishable

July 22 2011 at 5:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down

Adz

Totally Pete! Do people just trawl the internet, looking for opportunities to whinge? Eidard (and others like him), you don't want an ATV? Fine. Let your wallet do the talking and save my ears (eyes). If an article doesn't appeal to you, move on. Please, don't deride it, go watch IPTV or something because it spoils my enjoyment of this web site.

On a positive note :)) ... I *LOVE* the TUAW tips, and have TUAW as my only home page for my web browser. I open the iOS app or web site every day (often more).

I'll be trying this tip tomorrow night as I have friends over and ATV is how I play our background music and this function is exactly what I'm after - in fact, I didn't even know I wanted it, now I can't wait to use it.

Thanks TUAW (Matt)

July 22 2011 at 6:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down