The arrival of macOS Ventura brought us one of the most spectacular new features of the system in recent years: being able to use the cameras of our iPhone as webcam within the operating system on our Mac. The success of this feature is due to two factors: the improvement that comes with using the best cameras on the phone (such as the iPhone 15 Pro) and the amazing ease of connection that does not require any type of setting.
Thanks to the “continuity camera” – which is how the feature is known – and as long as the iPhone is set up with the same iCloud account as the Mac (or Apple TV), we can use their cameras and microphone. To use it with the Mac, we need a compatible iPhone with iOS 16 or later and macOS Ventura.
But there is an important point: place the iPhone at the exact point where we have the webcam. Before the launch of the official accessories, we had some clever ideas, but none like Belkin’s excellent solution that used MagSafe to hold the device on our Mac.
FaceTime on TV: the moment in the living room
Being able to use FaceTime in the classroom was always one of my requests in each new version of tvOS. It arrived with version 17, so now it is possible to connect the continuity camera not only to the Mac, also on our TV thanks to Apple TV 4K (second generation or later). This, for those of us who live outside our place of origin, is wonderful if we want to stay in touch with family and friends who are far away (or even to have a comfortable work meeting).
The problem with placing the iPhone on the TV in the living room is somewhat more complicated with the Mac. The screen is larger and the panel is not so thin as to think of “ingenious” solutions. This is where it comes into play. one of the most useful accessories I’ve had for Apple TV: Belkin’s new iPhone stand with MagSafe.
This support consists of a single piece, quite solid and compact, but it has certain hinges to be able to adjust its shape to our use. The most common will be place it on top of the television, but we can also use it as a stand for the iPhone on the table – since we can make it completely flat. Even to put it on top of the living room furniture if we don’t want to hang it on the television.
The best accessory for Apple TV
The concept behind this product is simple: a base, which does not require any type of installation or tool, and which It can be put on or taken off when we need it. In my case, I prefer to store it when I’m not using it but it can be perfectly left on the TV or on the furniture.
The position of the clip to place it on the TV, which in my opinion has the best viewing angle for FaceTime, is achieved intuitively with a couple of movements. You just have to “drop it” on the surface above and it stays anchored quite firmly, not “by force”, but by the design itself that balances the weight.
The iPhone anchors to the MagSafe of the product very firmly. It is practically impossible for it to fall except if we hit it in some way, and with force. As I say, Belkin’s ingenious design balances it perfectly and in all my tests I have felt it very safe and without a feeling of fragility.
It can be placed the iPhone both horizontally and vertically, depending on the use we want to give it. I recommend that you do not place it perfectly in the center, since what should be focused are the iPhone’s own rear cameras. It does not have any type of electronics, since the detection from the iPhone to the Apple TV is done entirely by tvOS when we start FaceTime.
In my tests, it has been a discovery. Instead of talking to family from your iPhone or iPad, using the larger TV screen is much more comfortable and also It allows me to move freely around the room: If you have an iPhone 11 or higher, the automatic “centered framing” function will place you within the shot as if it were a mobile camera. Even if there is more than one person, the chamber will open for everyone to enter.
Simple, practical and well designed
If you use FaceTime often and have an Apple TV 4K at home (or in the office), this accessory It will greatly simplify your video calls. Even if you have an Apple TV 4K at home and have never considered using it for FaceTime, you should try it this way.
FaceTime also has many possibilities that go beyond the simple call: with SharePlay, we can share series, movies or other compatible content, thereby This accessory is perfect to get even more performance out of it. to this feature.
The design of the product also helps a lot when using it: it is easy to put on and take off, it can be converted into a base to use it when we don’t have it on the TV and it is built with the quality that Belkin has accustomed us to. The price of the Belkin iPhone holder with MagSafe for Apple TV 4K is €54.95 – and in my opinion it is worth paying for the use it has if you want to get the most out of FaceTime on your television.
In Applesphere | Use your iPhone as a webcam in macOS Ventura with these supports and give extra quality to your video calls
