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Today at WWDC, Apple announced an updated version of tvOS that includes new functionality and features for Siri, single sign-on and more. Apple also announced that a few new apps will be arriving on tvOS, including Sling, Fox Sports Go, Molotov TV, and a handful of game-based apps like Minecraft Story Mode and Sketch Party.

appletvdarkmode.png

Siri has gained a handful of new abilities, including the ability to search for movies by topic. For instance, a user can now ask Siri to find the latest superhero movies or documentaries about cars. Siri can even partner themes with other pieces of context, like searching for high school comedies from the 80s. Siri will also be able to search through YouTube later this month.

Siri can also be directed to tune-in to live channels within apps now. For example, if a user asks Siri to "Watch CBS News" or "Watch ESPN," Siri will instantly open the live feed within the app, rather than transporting the user to the app's home screen. Finally, Siri can also manage a user's HomeKit devices via Apple TV.

Fourth-generation Apple TV users will no longer need to individually sign into each of their Pay-TV apps with the new tvOS update. tvOS now supports single sign-on, so when users sign into Apple's new feature, they'll never have to go through the process again. Once a user enters their credentials in one app, tvOS will automatically authenticate every other app that requires authentication. Additionally, when a user is entering their credentials for the first time they'll be presented with a page featuring all the authenticated apps their pay-TV provider offers support for, allowing users to easily discover what other content they can watch.

Single Sign-On is available for any network-TV app, though it must be enabled by the developer. The feature will also be available for iOS 10, which the Cupertino company also announced and detailed at today's WWDC keynote. Apple also debuted a new dark mode for Apple TV, making it easier for users with darker rooms.

The new Apple TV and tvOS are compatible with the revamped Remote app, which mirrors the abilities of the Apple TV's Siri Remote on an iPhone. The app, like previous Remote apps, allows users to control their content, but it also allows users to use Siri to control the Apple TV. Users can also use the app to play games on Apple TV and enter text via the iOS keyboard.

Apple also announced a couple new tvOS APIs for developers, including support for PhotoKit and HomeKit. One of those APIs is ReplayKit, which allows developers to record live broadcasts from their apps. Apple TV apps can also badge their icons on the home screen, notifying users to potential changes within the app. The Apple TV can also support up to four game controllers as well.

Many of the new features coming to iOS and macOS have also come to tvOS. The newly redesigned Apple Music, with a simplified and more colorful design, is also available on Apple TV. The revamped Apple Music is easier-to-navigate and read, with bigger fonts and more emphasis on album art. It also includes a new "For You" tabled that has better-curated content. Finally, the new Apple Music also gained support for lyrics. Photos for Apple TV now has gained the new Memories feature debuted with iOS 10, allowing users to easily rediscover moments from their past. Universal apps will also automatically download when downloaded to an iOS device, and when a keyboard appears on the Apple TV, it'll also appear on an iOS device signed in with the same iCloud account.

Article Link: Apple Debuts New tvOS Features Including 'Single Sign-On', Enhanced Siri and More
 

Carlanga

macrumors 604
Nov 5, 2009
7,132
1,409
Game changer....Roku, Amazon and Google don't have it.
I have it on Hulu already though.

------

This would be good if the apps would automatically download on the atv since IDK which apps have what w my very basic cable sub.
 
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2010mini

macrumors 601
Jun 19, 2013
4,698
4,806
Hope this is not by default. I use more than one pay tv provider to authenticate.
 

nburwell

macrumors 603
May 6, 2008
5,436
2,352
DE
Very much looking forward to this. Hopefully TV apps will no longer force you to log back in after a two week or so timeframe.
 

Agent OrangeZ

macrumors 68040
Mar 17, 2010
3,014
3,014
Planet Earth
Google has something similar with smart unlock and trusted devices.
Not remotely similar at all. Apple is letting you sign in to multiple streaming services all at once. The mentioned Google services have to do with bypassing the lockscreen security on your phone.
 

Z400Racer37

macrumors 6502a
Feb 7, 2011
711
1,664
And still no content hosting strategy to allow us to upload our own content, Subscribe to the content we really want to see, and take down these ancient companies at the knees.
 
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MH01

Suspended
Feb 11, 2008
12,107
9,297
Good news for our us friends with single sign on. For myself in uk, a nothing update, I'll take the dark mode.... Can't believe how little attention they gave to tvOS , it's back to being a hobby , apple does not seem to care about it
 

ksnell

macrumors 6502a
Aug 26, 2012
719
1,222
Really wanted a standardized Apple menu/guide for all live TV content from the apps, with quick access to each app for individual on demand items. Bummer.
 

karmstrong75

macrumors newbie
Nov 5, 2015
14
54
Good news for our us friends with single sign on. For myself in uk, a nothing update, I'll take the dark mode.... Can't believe how little attention they gave to tvOS , it's back to being a hobby , apple does not seem to care about it

Its ridiculous, they really have something here. But the fail to capitalize on it. is it a hobby or a product. make up your mind apple. Why not a subscription service for movies, TV shows? Such a minimalistic update. Why bother anymore.
 
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georgetang

macrumors member
Sep 21, 2007
36
4



Today at WWDC, Apple announced an updated version of tvOS that includes new functionality and features for Siri, single sign-on and more. Apple also announced that a few new apps will be arriving on tvOS, including Sling, Fox Sports Go, Molotov TV, and a handful of game-based apps like Minecraft Story Mode and Sketch Party.

appletvdarkmode.png

Siri has gained a handful of new abilities, including the ability to search for movies by topic. For instance, a user can now ask Siri to find the latest superhero movies or documentaries about cars. Siri can even partner themes with other pieces of context, like searching for high school comedies from the 80s. Siri will also be able to search through YouTube later this month.

Siri can also be directed to tune-in to live channels within apps now. For example, if a user asks Siri to "Watch CBS News" or "Watch ESPN," Siri will instantly open the live feed within the app, rather than transporting the user to the app's home screen. Finally, Siri can also manage a user's HomeKit devices via Apple TV.

Fourth-generation Apple TV users will no longer need to individually sign into each of their Pay-TV apps with the new tvOS update. tvOS now supports single sign-on, so when users sign into Apple's new feature, they'll never have to go through the process again. Once a user enters their credentials in one app, tvOS will automatically authenticate every other app that requires authentication. Additionally, when a user is entering their credentials for the first time they'll be presented with a page featuring all the authenticated apps their pay-TV provider offers support for, allowing users to easily discover what other content they can watch.

Single Sign-On is available for any network-TV app, though it must be enabled by the developer. The feature will also be available for iOS 10, which the Cupertino company also announced and detailed at today's WWDC keynote. Apple also debuted a new dark mode for Apple TV, making it easier for users with darker rooms.

The new Apple TV and tvOS are compatible with the revamped Remote app, which mirrors the abilities of the Apple TV's Siri Remote on an iPhone. The app, like previous Remote apps, allows users to control their content, but it also allows users to use Siri to control the Apple TV. Users can also use the app to play games on Apple TV and enter text via the iOS keyboard.

Apple also announced a couple new tvOS APIs for developers, including support for PhotoKit and HomeKit. One of those APIs is ReplayKit, which allows developers to record live broadcasts from their apps. Apple TV apps can also badge their icons on the home screen, notifying users to potential changes within the app. The Apple TV can also support up to four game controllers as well.

Many of the new features coming to iOS and macOS have also come to tvOS. The newly redesigned Apple Music, with a simplified and more colorful design, is also available on Apple TV. The revamped Apple Music is easier-to-navigate and read, with bigger fonts and more emphasis on album art. It also includes a new "For You" tabled that has better-curated content. Finally, the new Apple Music also gained support for lyrics. Photos for Apple TV now has gained the new Memories feature debuted with iOS 10, allowing users to easily rediscover moments from their past. Universal apps will also automatically download when downloaded to an iOS device, and when a keyboard appears on the Apple TV, it'll also appear on an iOS device signed in with the same iCloud account.

Article Link: Apple Debuts New tvOS Features Including 'Single Sign-On', Enhanced Siri and More

The Future of TV isn't App.

Go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fivebyfive/xfaire-revolutionizing-your-tv-service

And check it out.
 

cult hero

macrumors 65816
Jun 6, 2005
1,181
1,028
In all I mostly enjoyed WWDC this year, except for tvOS.

I did like dark mode and single sign on, but the AppleTV is an area Apple is still playing big time catch-up on and watching them talk about adding "apps" to a TV device like it was an amazing revelation was even ridiculous for typical Apple. The lack of "channels" or whatever has been a huge problem on AppleTV since day one. It's no surprise that suddenly allowing me to use other services on the device made it way better.

The general trend toward opening up APIs at this WWDC was good though.
 

daveup2bat

macrumors member
Sep 1, 2009
65
85
California
Thank goodness for single sign on, what a pain in the butt that is now, and please hope it doesn't auto sign out every 2 weeks as well... This was the most needed function for AppleTv. Such a waste of time to do this 20 plus times.

Love to eventually see the long ago promised Amazon video app...
 
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