Some have already suggested jailbreaking and installing Kodi but honestly, it's almost not worth it if you don't have a specific use case for it. The latest Kodi you can install is 14 vs. the current 21 which is super old. At this point I'd honestly then just go for some other media center solution (Raspberry, Mini PC, ...). You could maybe use it as an AirPlay point to cast your MacBook screen but not sure how feasible this is in your case and I'd still argue there are probably better solutions
homeassistant
Home Assistant is open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first. Powered by a worldwide community of tinkerers and DIY enthusiasts. Perfect to run on a Raspberry Pi or a local server. Available for free at home-assistant.io
As per your other thread, incase others are interested. I dont own one but on searching options seem to be limited. It can be jail broken and Kodi installed.
That may be a jumping off point for doing more but I can't see that anyone has successfully installed linux on it for example.
You just reminded me that I have one. I'm going to see if I can repurpose it into a clock.
Drill a hole and get an analogue clockwork, done.
Only downside is that the 1080p monitor that's currently got a full screen digital clock on it, facilitated by a recently dying Chromecast, will still be dying and the analogue clock attached to the hole in the Apple TV won't allow me to see the time from the other side of the room in the dark.
I suppose I could strategically drill the hole and do both, but my hands aren't that stable and my eyesight is fading, so other suggestions welcome.
As an aside, I just went hunting for the old Apple TV and haven't yet found it, so there's plenty of time before I have to commit either way.
Hmm... Clockwork and fluorescent arms?
I do not believe it will work that way. I don't think Linux will even run on it well because of unknown hardware. You can run xbmc or Kodi I believe after you jailbreak it though.