Apple to intro tvOS 17, new features for Apple TV this fall

Apple recently announced software updates for its Apple TV 4K are coming this fall.

Courtesy: Apple

More enjoyable, interactive Apple TV

In a statement, Apple said tvOS 17 will be adding new features to the Apple TV 4K, making it more enjoyable and engaging for its users.

New features and enhancements make Apple TV simpler to use and even more enjoyable, reinforcing it as the absolute best option in the living room for Apple customers, said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.

tvOS 17 is currently available as a developer beta, and will be available as a FREE software update this fall.

Among the new features it will bring is access to FaceTime through the said TV. This will also allow users to initiate calls from the Apple TV or start calls on iPhone or iPad, and hand them off to the TV.

FaceTime on Apple TV takes advantage of Continuity Camera support to wirelessly connect to the user’s iPhone or iPad, and leverages the device’s camera and microphone to bring participants together on the TV, Apple explained.

Apple said the Center Stage feature makes sure that everyone is perfectly framed on the screen even if they move around. Gesture-based reactions also allow callers to use their hands to generate onscreen effects.

Plenty of new features

The Spilt View will be also introduced which will allow Apple TV users to enjoy watching other video content during SharePlay sessions while also on a FaceTime call, the tech company noted.

Later this year, video conferencing apps like Webex and Zoom will also launch on tvOS, making it accessible to Apple TV 4K users, Apple said.

For a more immersive experience, the company said Apple Music Sing will be also available. This will also allow Integrate Continuity Camera so users can see themselves onscreen and add filters.

A better experience with iPhone

Aside from the earlier mentioned fresh features, Apple TV’s new Control Center will make it easier for users to access key settings and information, the company said. This will now show system status, including the time and active profile, and expands with other helpful details based on a user’s activity, it noted.

Apple said that tvOS 17 also strengthens the integration of Apple TV and iPhone with the ability to locate the Siri Remote.

Users can launch the Apple TV remote inside Control Center on iPhone to find their Siri Remote (2nd generation or later). As users get closer to the remote, an onscreen circle grows in size to guide their movement, Apple explained.

When using iPhone to wake up and control the Apple TV, users will be automatically switched to their profile for immediate access to recently watch videos and recommendations. There will also be additional settings and preferences saved for each user profile, like their system language and paired AirPods, for a more personalized experience, Apple said.

Screen saver enhancements provide a more beautiful and even more customized experience on Apple TV, as users can now enjoy curated Memories from their personal library, shared library, or both on the big screen, the tech giant added.

Other features to be introduced by tvOS 17 include:

• Enhance Dialogue - lets users more clearly hear what is being said over the effects, action, and music in a movie or TV show on Apple TV 4K paired with HomePod (2nd generation) by separating the dialogue from the background noise
• Dolby Vision 8.1 support - offers Apple TV 4K users a more cinematic visual experience with dynamic metadata over a broader range of movies and TV shows.
• Apple Fitness+ enhancements - this includes Custom Plans, a new way for Fitness+ users to receive a custom workout or meditation schedule based on day, duration, workout type, and more; Stacks which allows users to select multiple workouts and meditations to seamlessly do back to back; and Audio Focus which gives users the ability to prioritize the volume of the music or the trainers' voices
• Third-party VPN support - enables developers to create VPN apps for Apple TV

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Source: Apple