Apple Allegedly Adding Kids Mode and Screen Time to tvOS, Launching Apple TV With Up to 128GB Storage

[MacRumors]

Apple is planning to add new features like Kids Mode and Screen Time options to a future version of tvOS, according to Israeli site The Verifier.

Kids Mode would allow children to watch Apple TV content aimed at children, with parental control options that will let parents restrict the content that is available. Parents will be able to block TV shows, movies, and apps that are not age appropriate, and will be able to set Screen Time limits.

Speaking of Screen Time, The Verifier says that Apple will bring Screen Time features to the Apple TV, allowing people to keep track of how much time they're spending watching television. It will work for various apps and games, listing the amount of time spent using each app, as with iOS.

There are also a couple of hardware claims, which we've heard before. Apple is said to be working on a new Apple TV that features an A11 or A12 processor and 64/128GB storage options, up from the current 32/64GB.

The Verifier believes Apple will hold an event in November or December to announce the Apple TV, which is a part of this rumor that sounds unlikely. Signs of a new Apple TV have been showing up in versions of iOS for months now, which suggests we'll see it sooner than late 2020. Apple also does not typically hold events in the months of November and December.

The Verifier claims that its news comes from "senior sources" that have been working with its staff for a "number of years," but the site's past claims have been questionable, so it's worth viewing this information with some skepticism until confirmed by a secondary source.

The site was accurate about Night Mode coming to the 2019 iPhone lineup, though that was a reasonable guess. It was very wrong on some macOS Catalina predictions, having suggested the software would include a Shortcuts app, split screen support for four windows, and an iOS-like Control Center, none of which was released.

Some past tvOS predictions have been accurate, though, with The Verifier leaking picture-in-picture and multiple users in tvOS ahead of launch.

Article Link: Apple Allegedly Adding Kids Mode and Screen Time to tvOS, Launching Apple TV With Up to 128GB Storage

 

[VSG]

The Apple TV is one of those products that are too good for their own sake – I couldn’t think of a reason to switch from my Apple TV 4K.

Heck, I would still use my Apple TV 3 if it wasn’t for 4K-capabilities.

 

[fbr$]

Please, iPad Air 64GB upgraded to 128GB too!

I hope that in the future the tvOS gets an adapted version of iPadOS's mouse support and becomes an "iPadOS with no touch screen", meaning that the tvOS will have Files, Safari, Microsoft Office etc.

 

[Saipher]

I wonder why the increase in storage. I have the 4K 64Gb version and I feel I have barley used half of it. Maybe Apple will invest more heavily into gaming and Apple Arcade games are about to get much bigger?

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I bought my first TV streaming device in 2015 and it was the 4th gen Apple TV. There are probably better products out there that are cheaper but it does everything I need it to. The only thing I dislike about the Apple TV is the remote, it's a garbage idea and product. Hopefully they will go with a different remote.

I'm ready for an upgrade as my 4th gen is struggling with the latest TVOS.

 

[redneckitengineer]

I have the 32Gb model and I barely use my storage...what on earth does it need all that storage for?

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I wonder why the increase in storage. I have the 4K 64Gb version and I feel I have barley used half of it. Maybe Apple will invest more heavily into gaming and Apple Arcade games are about to get much bigger?

I wouldn't be surprised if that's one of the reasons for more standard storage.

 

[kostthem]

I wonder why the increase in storage. I have the 4K 64Gb version and I feel I have barley used half of it. Maybe Apple will invest more heavily into gaming and Apple Arcade games are about to get much bigger?

As an Apple Arcade user I have to delete some games in order to play other ones. Apple Arcade and IPTV recordings are two strong reasons for larger capacities. I wish for 256GB...

 

[fbr$]

Is it possible to download films in the Netflix and Apple TV apps in the Apple TV device?

 

[triangletechie]

Jon Prosser on Twitter says these are ready and can be released at any time. He's been spot on with leaks lately.

 

[nutmac]

As an Apple Arcade user I have to delete some games in order to play other ones. Apple Arcade and IPTV recordings are two strong reasons for larger capacities. I wish for 256GB...

Just as people don't delete a TV episode or movie after viewing them on a streaming service, Apple needs to think about managing games as a whole.

At the very minimum, Apple Arcade needs "Offload Unused Games" setting.

 

[triangletechie]

Is it possible to download films in the Netflix and Apple TV apps in the Apple TV device?

I believe you can download Apple TV+ content and Apple Arcade games, but I don't think they allow downloading from other entertainment apps.

 

[jetjaguar]

Wish they would change the remote

 

[Nautilus007]

Wish they would change the remote

Hate the current design as well, also needs to have a tracker on it so I can find it when lost since it's so small.

 

[fbr$]

Wish they would change the remote

What do you think of the Remote on iOS's Control Center?

 

[turbineseaplane]

I have to be honest, I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be in the AppleTV ecosystem..

It really has dawned on me how very little I do with it...I really just fire up YouTubeTV, Plex and Spotify on there...Which could be accomplished with aplomb by essentially any streaming device or stick, particularly at my paltry 1080p needs (I have and will love my Plasmas until they literally die)

..Also — I HATE the Siri remote with the heat of a thousand suns...

 

[Icaras]

I wonder why the increase in storage. I have the 4K 64Gb version and I feel I have barley used half of it. Maybe Apple will invest more heavily into gaming and Apple Arcade games are about to get much bigger?

Different strokes for different folks. Even before Apple Arcade launched, I had tapped out my 64GB Apple TV a long time ago from games.

That said, I very much look forward to getting a 128GB Apple TV! And like @kostthem mentioned, I'd even ask for a 256GB at this point.

 

[2010mini]

I have the 32Gb model and I barely use my storage...what on earth does it need all that storage for?

this is my main question

 

[turbineseaplane]

Different strokes for different folks. Even before Apple Arcade launched, I had tapped out my 64GB Apple TV a long time ago from games.

That said, I very much look forward to getting a 128GB Apple TV! And like @kostthem mentioned, I'd even ask for a 256GB at this point.

So basically if you don’t use Arcade and/or play games on Apple TV, the storage upgrades are pointless?

Honestly, Apple should just make:

• Apple TV (current 4K model with 32gb storage) $129
• Apple TV Arcade (256gb storage + a controller) $249

 

[Icaras]

So basically if you don’t use Arcade and/or play games on Apple TV, the storage upgrades are pointless?

Honestly, Apple should just make:

• Apple TV (current 4K model with 32gb storage) $129
• Apple TV Arcade (256gb storage + a controller) $249

Yea I think that sounds like a reasonable tier system. Maybe even break down Apple TV Arcade further with two sizes (128 + 256).

32GB sounds perfect for everyone else. They could even lower the price down to $149 perhaps?

 

[augustrushrox]

Apple for the love of tech please just add external disk storage and be done with it.

Games fill up storage VERY quickly, and it would be really nice to be able to attach a disk with family media on it so it doesn't need to be wirelessly transferred.

 

[jkmoses]

Maybe they're finally going to come out with a Live TV service with DVR capabilities that you'll need the storage space for.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Yea I think that sounds like a reasonable tier system. Maybe even break down Apple TV Arcade further with two sizes (128 + 256).

32GB sounds perfect for everyone else. They could even lower the price down to $149 perhaps?

You are probably right in terms of what they would do in terms of tiers..

I’m just personally tapped out on that particular “nickel & dime” Bean Counter Tim Cook thing they’ve done in the last few years.

Apple, at its greatest, decides what the ”right features” for a product are and makes a more simplified lineup.

It’s a horrible customer experience to have, for example, “Mom” come into the Apple store to buy ”the Apple TV with a controller that’s meant for games” for her kids —- and then have her try to understand the why/how/what of the storage options.

That’s straight out of Windows/Microsoft/Dell/PC land nonsense that is so disappointing to see Apple engage in, just for the extra revenue bump.

Make a simpler lineup that makes the best choices for the consumer Apple!
That is one of the reasons we all loved Apple originally. They would simplify the complex for us.

 

[brucewayne]

Hopefully the kids mode removes the content from the menu system as well. Even with our ATV fully locked down to G content with parental controls we still need to surf past poster art with explicit content

 

[jonnysods]

I've been holding out to get an Apple TV because I had a feeling a new one was coming out soon. Bring it Apple!