tvOS 17 is Apple’s newest operating system for the Apple TV and HomePod models. Here’s what we know about this software update.
tvOS 17 is Apple’s newest Apple TV and HomePod operating system. After two years of minor updates, the Cupertino firm finally gave keynote time for this operating system and announced several new features. Here’s what we know about the company’s biggest update yet for the Apple TV software, tvOS 17.Features
tvOS 17 focuses on a new FaceTime experience while tweaking the Control Center and improving the general usage of the Apple TV.FaceTime, video conferencing, and more
For the first time, the Apple TV hardware integrates with the iPhone camera with the Continuity Camera feature on tvOS 17. With that, Apple added the FaceTime app to the set-top box.
With FaceTime on Apple TV 4K, users can initiate calls directly from Apple TV, start them on iPhone or iPad, and hand them off to Apple TV. It uses Continuity Camera support to connect to the user’s iPhone or iPad wirelessly and leverages the device’s camera and microphone to bring participants together on the TV. It also works with Center Stage, so everyone keeps in the room framed on the screen.
In December 2023, video conferencing apps like Webex by Cisco and Zoom launched on tvOS and brought their communications capabilities to Apple TV 4K. Developers can use Continuity Camera APIs on Apple TV 4K to integrate the iPhone or iPad camera and microphone into their tvOS apps.
In addition, Apple Music Sing also integrates with Continuity Camera so Apple TV users can see themselves onscreen and add “entertaining filters” while singing. Despite that, Apple Music on Apple TV doesn’t seem to be adding credit to songs, which is available for iOS 17. The iPhone operating system also brings a new cover for when music is playing on Apple Music, but it also doesn’t seem to be the case with the Apple TV, as the player remains the same.Revamped Control Center and Profile updates
While iOS 17 didn’t get a revamped Control Center as it was rumored, the Apple TV with tvOS 17 did. The new Control Center focuses on making things easier for the Apple TV. From there, you can see the system status, the current time, and the active profile. It also makes connecting Bluetooth devices or checking your Home accessories easier. Bringing the new UI to multiple platforms, a new Control Center interface is also available in watchOS 10.
With fast Profile switching, users just need to wake up the Apple TV with the remote app on the iPhone’s Control Center, and it will automatically switch to that person’s profile, ensuring they have access to their recently watched shows and personalized recommendations.
To improve that experience, customized Settings for Profiles are now saved for each user’s profile with tvOS 17, including their system language and paired AirPods.Find My Siri Remote
Apple still hasn’t added the U1 chip to the Siri Remote, but second-generation models or later can be found through the Find My app. This works similarly to finding an AirPods. With the iPhone connecting to the Siri Remote by Bluetooth, a proximity sensor can help you discover how close you are to the Apple TV accessory.
To work, you need to update your Siri Remote to version 10M4782 or 10M4784 for the 2nd-gen and 3rd-gen remotes, respectively.
Here’s how Find My Remote in iOS 17 and tvOS 17 actually works More features available for Apple TV users
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 include Custom Plans, a new way for Fitness+ users to receive a custom workout. By building a plan, you can choose the following:
The weekly schedule or when you’re going to exercise;
The total time of workout per day;
The length of the plan (I chose five weeks);
The activity type, the trainers you like the most, and the music you want to listen to.
Apple fitness service also adds Stacks, which allows users to select multiple workouts and meditations to seamlessly do back-to-back. Audio Focus gives users the ability to prioritize the volume of the music or the trainers’ voices.
Third-party VPN apps support: It enables developers to create VPN apps for Apple TV. This can benefit enterprise and education users wanting to access content on their private networks, allowing Apple TV to be a great office and conference room solution in even more places.tvOS 17.1 features
Apple released tvOS 17.1 for Apple TV and HomePod Software Version 17.1 for HomePod models. The main feature available is the expansion of the Enhanced Dialogue feature to all HomePods, as long as they’re a pair.
