Final Thoughts...
When used in conjunction with Apple TV, AirPlay allows you to experience content or apps that are stored within your iPhone or iPad (or that is being streamed to your mobile device) on a large size HD television set or monitor using Apple TV and a Wi-Fi Internet connection as a conduit. This allows you to begin watching a movie or TV show on your mobile device while you’re on the go, and then continue watching that content on your home theater system when you get home.
Likewise, you can use AirPlay to mirror what’s displayed on your smartphone or tablet’s screen so that it’s displayed on your television set. Meanwhile, once you invest in the Apple TV device and connect it to your television set and the Internet, you’ll discover it grants you access to a plethora of on-demand programming, in addition to all of the purchased iTunes Store content you’ve acquired, as well as photos and videos you have stored within your iCloud account. Thus, Apple TV is a conduit for using AirPlay with your smartphone or tablet, but as a stand-alone device with your television set, it can be used for so much more.