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Apple Seeds Third Beta of tvOS 9.2 to Developers

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Apple today provided developers with the third beta of an upcoming 9.2 update to tvOS, the operating system that runs on the fourth-generation Apple TV and powers its built-in App Store. Today's tvOS 9.2 beta 3 comes two weeks after Apple released the second beta of tvOS 9.2 and two weeks after the release of tvOS 9.1.1, a minor update to tvOS 9.1. tvOS 9.2 has been in testing since January 11.

tvOS betas are more difficult to install than beta updates for iOS and OS X. Installing the tvOS beta requires the Apple TV to be connected to a computer with a USB-C to USB-A cable, with the software downloaded and installed via iTunes or Apple Configurator. Those who have already installed the second tvOS 9.2 beta will be able to download the third update over the air.


tvOS 9.2 is a significant update for the tvOS operating system. It brings support for Bluetooth keyboards, allowing a keyboard to be paired to the Apple TV for text entry. Bluetooth keyboard support is a major feature that was missing from previous versions of tvOS and its addition should make it much easier to do tasks like entering passwords on the fourth-generation Apple TV.

Along with Bluetooth keyboard support, the tvOS 9.2 update introduces support for grouping apps into folders on the Home screen like on iOS devices, plus it includes a new look for the App Switcher interface and it brings support for iCloud Photo Library and Live Photos.

tvos_folder-800x450.jpg

tvOS 9.2 also introduces MapKit so developers can incorporate maps into their tvOS apps, and it adds Siri support for US Spanish (in the US only) and French Canadian (in Canada only). UK English, Australian English, and US English are also now available as Siri options in the UK, Australian, and US Storefronts when English is set as the tvOS language.

tvos_switcher-800x445.jpg

We'll update this post with any new features that are discovered in the third beta of tvOS 9.2.

What's new in tvOS 9.2 beta 3:

Dictation - There's now support for onscreen text entry via dictation in countries where Siri is available. When updating to tvOS 9.2 beta 3, users will be prompted to enable or disable dictation. With dictation, Apple TV users can dictate text and spell user names and passwords rather than typing them.

tvos_dictation-800x447.jpg

With dictation enabled, the tvOS search bar alternates between a blank search field and an option to hold the Siri button to dictate text.

tvos_hold_to_dictate-800x443.jpg

While speaking, a live levels meter is then displayed on the screen.

tvos_dictating-800x445.jpg

App Store Siri Search - Siri is now able to search for App Store apps, improving the app discovery process in the App Store. It's now possible to ask Siri to search for an app or to search for a category of apps, such as games and bring up a listing.

Article Link: Apple Seeds Third Beta of tvOS 9.2 to Developers
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/02/08/apple-seeds-third-tvos-9-2-beta/
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Between Apple's updates and app updates the ATV is getting more impressive by the day.

My #1 request is a centralized feed (ala DVR list) of content I've subscribed to. Even with Siri search it can be annoying to check apps daily for new content. I just want a list of what's new to watch.
 
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iCloud photos a nice upgrade. In the long run the folders for apps another welcome addition.
 
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I hope that borrowing design elements from iOS, such as app grouping, will help the tvOS interface advance quickly.
 
2010mini said:
There is an app(s) for that

https://datenightmovies.com
http://atlantiasoftware.com/movielect/
http://gyde.tv/decyde/
Click to expand...

These are not at all what I'm asking for.

If I purchase iTunes season passes to two new shows, add House of Cards to my list on Netflix, add Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee to my watch list in the Crackle app, and my wife adds a show to her list in the HGTV app....there should be a central feed of those somewhere in the main UI. The great thing about a DVR list is that it is easy to see what's available, click, and away you go. Checking 7 different apps for updated content is not a good experience.
 
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It's always nice to see headway into the TV front. Personally, I'm wanting to see the HomeKit API supported on aTV. Considering that it's already supposed to the be the HomeKit hub, I'd love an overview of everything I have on the big screen. And it'd really be great to use Siri remote to control HomeKit devices, instead of using one remote to find a TV show or movie on Netflix and another to put the lighting into theater mode.
 
Patriot24 said:
These are not at all what I'm asking for.

If I purchase iTunes season passes to two new shows, add House of Cards to my list on Netflix, add Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee to my watch list in the Crackle app, and my wife adds a show to her list in the HGTV app....there should be a central feed of those somewhere in the main UI. The great thing about a DVR list is that it is easy to see what's available, click, and away you go. Checking 7 different apps for updated content is not a good experience.
Click to expand...
I think that would be a massive undertaking. While having that functionality would be absolutely awesome, it would also mean that Apple would need to tie into every app's current wishlist / watch list feature. Or you'd have to require apps to tie into Apple's version of this...which I don't think developers would be too keen on.
 
Keyboard support is a good addition, but not innovation and should have been there with the new ATV4 at the start.

I have been using my PS3 / PS4 with a bluetooth keyboard since 2011... It is still easier to navigate Netflix etc, with a PS3/4 controller than the current ATV4 controller in any case.
 
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Patriot24 said:
These are not at all what I'm asking for.

If I purchase iTunes season passes to two new shows, add House of Cards to my list on Netflix, add Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee to my watch list in the Crackle app, and my wife adds a show to her list in the HGTV app....there should be a central feed of those somewhere in the main UI. The great thing about a DVR list is that it is easy to see what's available, click, and away you go. Checking 7 different apps for updated content is not a good experience.
Click to expand...

There are apps that do that currently but they are iOS only. Fan.tv and Just Watch app to name a few. You tell it what shows you watch and sources you subscribe to and they will update you when content is available.

Fan.TV just gives me the "we are thinking about it" kinda form answer when asked if they will make a tvOS app.

But I wouldn't be surprised if a "DVR" type feature would've been part of the Apple Streaming subscription they were working on.
 
besler3035 said:
I think that would be a massive undertaking. While having that functionality would be absolutely awesome, it would also mean that Apple would need to tie into every app's current wishlist / watch list feature. Or you'd have to require apps to tie into Apple's version of this...which I don't think developers would be too keen on.
Click to expand...

I don't think the fact that it is difficult should stop them from trying. This would be similar to whatever they're doing today to integrate Siri search into apps. If developers want their content front-and-center of users they'd do it.
 
The more I see the TV OS moving toward iOS, the more I wonder if it's such a good idea. Certainly the ability to organize all the stuff is welcome, but it doesn't strike me as a particularly intuitive way to organize stuff for TV viewing. I was watching the TV commercial this weekend where they proclaim it to be the future of television, but with the clunky interface, and non specific uses, I found that a difficult claim to stomach. It just seems layering what works in iOS over the TV OS when there's no direct touch interface seems like a poor way to "re-invent" the TV, and is hardly the solution I was expecting when Steve Jobs proclaimed he had "cracked" it. I feel like my DirectTV UI is far more efficient despite the extra buttons on the remote. But then maybe I am just used to it after over 20 years of using it. Still there are horrible TV UIs out there, and so far, I'm not seeing Apple really improving navigation with theirs.
 
Dictation! Finally! No more one letter at a time, Thanks Apple!

....only fix now is the super sensitive remote that fast forwards an hour ahead when I barely touch the remote

fRX7cm1.png
 
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Dictation is a major usability improvement (should have been there from the start though).

Would be great if a beta tester could report back if the audio dynamic range/loudness problems have been fixed (see here). This greatly diminishes movie playback at the moment.
 
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Is Apple actually encouraging people to voice out their passwords that will be sent to Apple's server to decode into readable text?

If that's true, that has to be the dumbest thing that Apple have done. Dictation should be automatically turned off for all password fields.
 
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AppleMark said:
Keyboard support is a good addition, but not innovation and should have been there with the new ATV4 at the start.

I have been using my PS3 / PS4 with a bluetooth keyboard since 2011... It is still easier to navigate Netflix etc, with a PS3/4 controller than the current ATV4 controller in any case.
Click to expand...

Can you provide a link to the streaming device you developed that is so much better than than ATV? Since you obviously know exactly what it takes to release the perfect device on version 1.

The ATV4 was a great device when it was released, as is obvious by the sales that it garnered. It continues to get better with every software release, and as developers release apps.

Like many, I would much rather have the device with all of the great features it included at release, and wait for the less important ones like bluetooth keyboard entry until they're ready to release them correctly than to have to wait until they had it perfect in your eyes. Personally I would much rather type with my voice than hunt around for a bluetooth keyboard in those rare instances that I might want to type something.

Sounds to me that you are completely happy with your PS console(s) and good for you.
 
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mariusignorello said:
Did you change the sensitivity in Settings?
Click to expand...

I don't really feel like it's just a sensitivity issue. I feel like it's really hard to "break out" of a given character/element, and once you swipe enough to get away from one, suddenly it skips over 3-4 characters. I feel like they need to reduce the "hump" between selections.

MikhailT said:
Is Apple actually encouraging people to voice out their passwords that will be sent to Apple's server to decode into readable text?

If that's true, that has to be the dumbest thing that Apple have done. Dictation should be automatically turned off for all password fields.
Click to expand...

Who said it's being sent to a server? Also have you heard of Keychain? Your passwords on a server...
 
MikhailT said:
Is Apple actually encouraging people to voice out their passwords that will be sent to Apple's server to decode into readable text?

If that's true, that has to be the dumbest thing that Apple have done. Dictation should be automatically turned off for all password fields.
Click to expand...

You've never been able to dictate passwords on iOS. I would be surprised if they allowed it on TVOS.
 
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rdlink said:
Can you provide a link to the streaming device you developed that is so much better than than ATV?
Click to expand...
Why do I need, to? How will this show that Apple providing support for a keyboard 5-6 years after other devices [that can stream] is a big deal?

rdlink said:
Since you obviously know exactly what it takes to release the perfect device on version 1.
Click to expand...
Where in my post did I assert such a thing? In any case ATV4 is not version 1, it is ..er...Version 4. Are you keeping up...?

rdlink said:
The ATV4 was a great device when it was released, as is obvious by the sales that it garnered. It continues to get better with every software release, and as developers release apps.
Click to expand...
No, that is just an opinion and not a fact. It appears that you feel you have the monopoly on those it seems.

rdlink said:
Like many, I would much rather have the device with all of the great features it included at release, and wait for the less important ones like bluetooth keyboard entry until they're ready to release them correctly than to have to wait until they had it perfect in your eyes. Personally I would much rather type with my voice than hunt around for a bluetooth keyboard in those rare instances that I might want to type something.
Click to expand...
Many, but not all. I am obviously not one of the many.

rdlink said:
Sounds to me that you are completely happy with your PS console(s) and good for you.
Click to expand...
Sound to me like you are getting hot and bothered...., again.. :eek::rolleyes:
 
I just want themes and wallpapers that I can set as my homescreen. WHY IS THAT SO HARD.
 
MikhailT said:
Is Apple actually encouraging people to voice out their passwords that will be sent to Apple's server to decode into readable text?
If that's true, that has to be the dumbest thing that Apple have done. Dictation should be automatically turned off for all password fields.
Click to expand...

Password fields (and other similarly "not normal word" fields) do letter-by-letter dictation locally and don't send data to Apple.
 
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