Craig Hockenberry

Instead of making the world's largest flashlight, I made this:

https://furbo.org/2023/04/12/announcing-blank/

Announcing Blank • furbo.org

I’m happy to announce the release of a new tvOS app called Blank. It turns your screen black and keeps it that way until you press any button on a remote. Seriously, that’s all it does. Here’s the screen you see when you launch the app for the first time: That second paragraph hints at […]

Furbo.org by Craig Hockenberry
Apr 12, 2023 at 4:03pmIvory for Mac
Show threadCraig HockenberryApr 13, 2023

Thanks for all the kind words about Blank. I wasn't sure that anyone besides my wife (who came up with the idea) and me would want it!

Turns out there are a lot of folks who want Apple TV sound without video. If anyone at Apple is listening, please Sherlock me (after you do Now Playing Plus, of course!)

Also I forgot to mention that Blank's quote duration can be set in the tvOS Settings app. Some use cases will be better with “No Quote”.

Show threadJ$Apr 13, 2023
@chockenberry one day later and it already feels indispensable.
Show threadSamApr 13, 2023

@chockenberry fantastic, I was looking for just this last week!

If you have an LG OLED there is also buried in the settings a way to turn off the screen too, quickest via voice command on older models/possible via mapping a button on the newest

Show threadMikkel Selsøe SørensenApr 13, 2023
@chockenberry the best Sherlock would be if the TV just didn’t turn on if you’re airplaying audio only. Sounds like an easy fix (for Apple).
Show threadMattApr 13, 2023
@selsoe @chockenberry that would be a great option but I suspect they won't as most people have their audio setups routed through their TV rather than a receiver first, which would require it to be on for audio to work in the first place.
Show threadA. Lee Bennett Jr.Apr 14, 2023

@chockenberry Whoah! Didn’t think to look for settings there! Thanks!

Blank will be perfect when my wife is in the room. We play Pandora for hours almost every Saturday but she dislikes the aerial screensavers.

Show threadScott KopelchukApr 14, 2023
@chockenberry Thanks for making Blank. I love a great app like this that fills a need perfectly.
Show threadGroguTheGreen Apr 14, 2023
@chockenberry I just found it thanks to your post. This is awesome! Now I can play Apple Music from the Apple TV and have the tv screen off.
Show threadAdrianApr 14, 2023
@chockenberry I'd love to see this on macOS for the Studio Display that doesn't have a power button. It’s first world problems but multiple displays and one full screen video, then a display with nothing but on/light sucks
Show threadCraig HockenberryApr 14, 2023
@alc A black image in Preview full screen should get rid of most of that light…
Show threadAdrianApr 14, 2023
@chockenberry yeah good call. Thanks!!
Show threadColdWynterApr 16, 2023
@chockenberry this is such a cool idea, if only this had been available when I’d bought my ATV, it would have saved me a pair of HomePods :)
Show threadI Can't Believe It's Not Zero!Apr 12, 2023
@chockenberry 😍
Show threadCraig HockenberryApr 12, 2023
@steve For sleep or power or both? Beta testers are split on this so I'm curious what a larger audience thinks!
Show threadI Can't Believe It's Not Zero!Apr 12, 2023
@chockenberry both, but mostly just because I like seeing a not-tv tv app.
Show threadMichael HanscomApr 12, 2023
@chockenberry Neat. For a while I was working with the app review team for a major non-fruit-related tech company with an app store built into their OS. One of the submitted apps was essentially the same, but was intended to allow the user of a mobile device to look for stuck pixels. The first submitted version was just the black screen; after a (quite honestly) very entertaining internal discussion around "minimum functionality", we asked them to add an "intro" screen explaining the intended use that would go away when tapped, thus fulfilling the minimum functionality requirement. It's really easy for me to imagine the conversations you were just going through in getting this one approved. Congrats!
Show threadHerr FalschgoldApr 12, 2023
@chockenberry neat. But I think the fade to black should happen a tad quicker. I stared at the quote for a while thinking the app isn't working..
Show threadCraig HockenberryApr 12, 2023
@falschgold It's a bit long the first impression, but after you know how it works, it feels better to be longer. Less urgency to read the quote as you're getting settled in.
Show threadHerr FalschgoldApr 12, 2023
@chockenberry Ok, fair..
Show threadJeanApr 12, 2023
@chockenberry Great idea. Great quote.
Show threadshac ron ₪‎Apr 12, 2023
@chockenberry This is amazing, thanks. My kid gets distracted by the tv, meaning I can’t play audio for her over AirPlay to my nice speakers.
Show threadgrahamsApr 12, 2023
@chockenberry Another use case is “Audio app has UI i'm afraid of burning into my OLED, but if I let the screensaver loose it will eventually turn everything off”!
Show threadWonkishApr 13, 2023
@grahams @chockenberry Can confirm this is possible via learning the hard way with the YouTube progress bar :(.
Show threadgrahamsApr 13, 2023
@wonkish My dad burned the MSNBC logo into their OLED, so I've been super conscious of trying to avoid that fate since.
Show threadalex.tmApr 12, 2023
@chockenberry I’ve been using an old AirPort Express next to my AppleTV for years now so that I don’t have to have the screen on just to listen to Apple Music and podcasts. Looking forward to trying this as a replacement, especially since there doesn’t seem to be a good replacement for the AirPort Express hardware.
Show threadCraig HockenberryApr 12, 2023
@alextm I still have the AirPort Express around the house, but Blank works great in the living room. Turns the Apple TV into a headless player.
Show threadalex.tmApr 12, 2023
@chockenberry I just tested Blank and it works great for this use. I think I’ll be repurposing the AP Express elsewhere now. Thanks!
Show threadBart van de BiezenApr 12, 2023
@alextm @chockenberry This? https://www.belkin.com/audio-adapter-with-airplay-2/P-AUZ002.html
AirPlay 2 Audio Adapter with Optical + 3.5mm | Belkin US

Our Audio Adapter with AirPlay 2 is a plug-and-play way to wirelessly stream from your iOS device to any speaker with an optical or 3.5mm input. Shop now.

Belkin US
Show threadalex.tmApr 12, 2023
@bartvandebiezen Thanks!
Show threadAaron TeesApr 12, 2023
@alextm @chockenberry So grateful for this, thank you. I used to have to do a CEC power-off ceremony to turn off the TV while listening to music.
Show threadRyan GravesApr 12, 2023

@alextm @chockenberry hardware-wise, I picked up one of these a while back for the same reason, and it’s been a pretty nice replacement for the AirPort Express: https://www.belkin.com/audio-adapter-with-airplay-2/P-AUZ002.html

Will also be installing Blank though! Been wanting something like this when playing from the tv 🙂

AirPlay 2 Audio Adapter with Optical + 3.5mm | Belkin US

Our Audio Adapter with AirPlay 2 is a plug-and-play way to wirelessly stream from your iOS device to any speaker with an optical or 3.5mm input. Shop now.

Belkin US
Show threadalex.tmApr 12, 2023
@ryan_graves @chockenberry Thanks! The Belkin does look like a solid replacement for the Express. Any idea how much power it draws via USB? I don’t see the spec on their site. I’m wondering if it can be powered from USB A ports that are found on some receivers and powered speakers, it would be great to not have to run a cable to a wall outlet.
Show threadRyan GravesApr 12, 2023
@alextm @chockenberry not sure of the exact draw, but it ships with a 5v wall adapter, so I’d guess it’s pretty low.
Show threadalex.tmApr 12, 2023
@ryan_graves Thanks!
Show threadBruceApr 12, 2023
@alextm Glad to hear I'm not the only one doing this! Been meaning to look up AirPlay 2 devices with line outs. Fortunately we have some choices!
Show threadFabienApr 12, 2023

@chockenberry Loving this!
I had a go at it myself (basically a single black view) but I think it didn't stop the screen saver.

I miss having the separate audio only S/PDIF out on earlier apple tv, so stupid to have t switch on a gigantic screen just to airplay music to my receiver.

Show threadWalt MankowskiApr 12, 2023
@chockenberry I was about to ask why you didn't just turn off your TV like I do, but then I realized you (and likely most people!) probably have the sound coming directly from your TV instead of a receiver like I do. So awesome!
Show threadThibaut SaillyApr 12, 2023
@chockenberry that’s a great idea. Enjoying audio without an image will be an improvement, any time of the day.
Show threadJ$Apr 12, 2023
@chockenberry just love listening to audiobooks, and turning off distractions is a great pro. Hurray for Blank!
Show threadrustybikes 🐧Apr 12, 2023
@chockenberry Oh this looks cool! I'm looking forward to playing with this later! Thanks!
Show threadTimo HetzelApr 12, 2023
@chockenberry landing page wasn’t very clear to me. Something like „Use your tv in audio-only mode“ missing?
Show threadScottApr 12, 2023
@chockenberry i have no need for this at all, but i am very happy for you and all these other people, and I'll take that today. Solving problems rules.
Show threadJohn ChidgeyApr 12, 2023
@chockenberry Holy <BLANK> Chock!
Show threadA. Lee Bennett Jr.Apr 12, 2023
@chockenberry What is the behavior of the small box that appears for a few seconds when a new song plays displaying title info? They appear over the screensaver, but what about your app? Perhaps even consider a toggle, if possible, whether or not to display those.
Show threadCraig HockenberryApr 12, 2023
@leebennett Those are displayed by tvOS and no one besides Apple has control over those (other than starting/stopping music).
Show threadbobrkApr 13, 2023
@chockenberry nice. I’ll try it even though my 13 year old tv probably won’t save any energy from it. Or maybe it will?
Show threadMichael RoperApr 13, 2023
@chockenberry Thanks for this Craig! Exactly the thing I’ve occasionally searched the tvOS App Store for, and even considered installing Xcode to give it a crack myself. 🙌
Show threadDanStranskyApr 13, 2023
@chockenberry I didn’t realize I needed this until just now, but I need it
Show threadIan PhillipApr 13, 2023
@chockenberry The little app I didn’t know I needed, nice!
Show threadskryApr 13, 2023
@chockenberry Save energy and get better sleep: “tvOS app called Blank. It turns your screen black and keeps it that way until you press any button on a remote.”
Show threadJack Regan Apr 13, 2023
@chockenberry If you use HomePods as the default output of your Apple TV (like me), this feature already exists. I listen to audio with the TV off all the time.
Show threadPhi ΦApr 13, 2023
@chockenberry installing ASAP (why TVs don’t have “visual mute” after all these years as digital hubs…)
Show threadBoxOfRainApr 13, 2023
@chockenberry
Nice idea!
Show threadAndrew MarvinApr 13, 2023
@chockenberry Desperately needed. Thanks!
Show threadRuben DeyhleApr 14, 2023
@chockenberry this really changes the Apple TV experience for audio