Apple Provides First Beta of tvOS 12 to Developers

[MacRumors]

Following today's WWDC keynote event that saw the introduction of iOS 12, macOS 10.14, and watchOS 5, and tvOS 12, Apple has seeded the first beta of the new tvOS 12 operating system to developers for testing purposes.

Designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV, the new tvOS 12 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV via a profile that's installed using Xcode.

tvOS 12 brings support for Dolby Atmos, a feature that Apple TV users have been wanting since the Apple TV 4K first launched. Starting this fall, iTunes will be home to the largest collection of Dolby Atmos-supported movies, and all purchased iTunes movies will be upgraded for free.

There are new aerial screensavers on Apple TV that were captured from the International Space Station.

Starting later this year, Apple is introducing a new Zero Sign-On feature for Charter Spectrum users that will let them watch live channels and on-demand programs when connected to their Charter Spectrum broadband with no need to sign in.

Charter Spectrum users are also going to be able to place their traditional cable boxes with the Apple TV through an upcoming Spectrum TV app. These features will come to other providers in the future.

Other tvOS 12 features include autofill passwords from the iPhone to sign into Apple TV apps more quickly, and support for Home Control systems like Crestron and Savant, which will be able to be used to control the Apple TV. Apple also plans to make the Apple TV Remote a default option in Control Center on iOS devices.

The tvOS 12 update is limited to developers right now, but Apple will provide a public beta of the software to public beta testers later this summer. tvOS 12 will see a fall launch alongside iOS 12, macOS 10.14, and watchOS 5.

Article Link: Apple Provides First Beta of tvOS 12 to Developers

 

[ErikGrim]

No Netflix support in tv app yet?

 

[sam1070]

How do I install the dev profile without a Mac I have a dev account

 

[brianrmurray]

I’m curious if audio output has a “bitstream” option now. I assume so in order to facilitate Atmos. PCM output has made my receiver sad Developers please reply and let me know! Thanks!

 

[Andreas77]

I’m curious if audio output has a “bitstream” option now. I assume so in order to facilitate Atmos. PCM output has made my receiver sad Developers please reply and let me know! Thanks!

PCM

 

[TrenttonY]

No Live TV guide in TV.app?
No Netflix support in TV.app?

New screensavers? Omgomgomgomgomgomgomg

 

[macduke]

No Netflix support in tv app yet?

I think the ball is in Netflix's court on that one. They don't want to lose the engagement of their app and are big enough that people will open their app separate of the guide app.

—

I'm interested in Charter's live TV service. I had their internet service for a brief period several years ago before I had to move and it was great, affordable, with good customer service. Now I'm stuck in Mediacom hell. At least their uptime and speed has improved…customer service? Not so much.

 

[Ellis.adam]

No Netflix support in tv app yet?

That’s Netflix’s option not to be included. Apple can’t force developers to support its features. The same can be said for Fox Sports Go and NBC not supporting the live sports feature.

 

[Dominicanyor]

Ok so i guess that i will not be able to take advantage of the new tvOS because i had just received the Apple TV as a gift before the 4K came out..

 

[benji888]

Ok so i guess that i will not be able to take advantage of the new tvOS because i had just received the Apple TV as a gift before the 4K came out..

Which Apple TV do you have? The ATV (4th generation) and ATV 4K both support tvOS, so should both be getting tvOS 12. (The ATV (4th generation) has the same audio capabilities as the ATV 4K.)

 

[Colonel Badger]

PCM

Is that a confirmation or are you guessing? Personally I can’t see how Apple can do Atmos without bitstream, otherwise it’s. It truely object based

 

[chucker23n1]

Has someone checked if this ships with the newer Aerial screen savers, or if they're not live yet? The old URL doesn't appear to supply them.

 

[ErikGrim]

That’s Netflix’s option not to be included.

Absolutely. Yet Apple chose to feature Netflix heavily in their presentation despite not supporting their full feature set. Not much incentive for them to do so then is it?

 

[az431]

Absolutely. Yet Apple chose to feature Netflix heavily in their presentation despite not supporting their full feature set. Not much incentive for them to do so then is it?

one minute out of a two hour presentation is not "heavily"

 

[ErikGrim]

one minute out of a two hour presentation is not "heavily"

Relative to the segment, not the presentation. Obviously.

 

[Lax608]

Anyone have confirmation if Dolby Atmos is coming to the 4th gen Apple TV, or is just for the 4K? Thanks.

 

[Lyons00]

Hi, I tried updating through the system update on my ATV4K, I'm a beta tester, nothing there yet. Anyone seeing this also?
Thanks, Jerry

 

[benji888]

Anyone have confirmation if Dolby Atmos is coming to the 4th gen Apple TV, or is just for the 4K? Thanks.

I am assuming the answer is yes. Both the ATV 4th gen. and 4K have the exact same audio capabilities. I think Apple is just pushing the 4K ATV, so they only mentioned it. (I.E. tvOS 11 added FLAC audio capability to the 4th gen. ATV). ...Atmos is just an extension of DD+. The only reason it's not already in ATV 4 & 4K is because it cannot be implemented through LPCM, which is how Apple mixes content audio & system audio. So, Apple will either mix the audio via DD+ instead or give a bit streaming option.

I'm only answering because I'm not sure any ATV devs are on this forum. May have to wait until public beta is available.
[doublepost=1528152371][/doublepost]

Hi, I tried updating through the system update on my ATV4K, I'm a beta tester, nothing there yet. Anyone seeing this also?
Thanks, Jerry

Are you a dev? It's only available to developers at this point, may be a while before we see a public beta.

 

[Lyons00]

I am assuming the answer is yes. Both the ATV 4th gen. and 4K have the exact same audio capabilities. I think Apple is just pushing the 4K ATV, so they only mentioned it. (I.E. tvOS 11 added FLAC audio capability to the 4th gen. ATV). ...Atmos is just an extension of DD+. The only reason it's not already in ATV 4 & 4K is because it cannot be implemented through LPCM, which is how Apple mixes content audio & system audio. So, Apple will either mix the audio via DD+ instead or give a bit streaming option.

I'm only answering because I'm not sure any ATV devs are on this forum. May have to wait until public beta is available.
[doublepost=1528152371][/doublepost]
Are you a dev? It's only available to developers at this point, may be a while before we see a public beta.

Sorry, I'm a public beta tester...Thanks for straightening me out.

 

[benji888]

Sorry, I'm a public beta tester...Thanks for straightening me out.

don't be sorry, it's just that the very first beta of Apple's OS's, Apple typically only gives out the roughest version to devs, then, with the first update, usually it goes to devs., then public next day.

 

[iReality85]

Anyone have confirmation if Dolby Atmos is coming to the 4th gen Apple TV, or is just for the 4K? Thanks.

I am assuming the answer is yes. Both the ATV 4th gen. and 4K have the exact same audio capabilities. I think Apple is just pushing the 4K ATV, so they only mentioned it. (I.E. tvOS 11 added FLAC audio capability to the 4th gen. ATV). ...Atmos is just an extension of DD+. The only reason it's not already in ATV 4 & 4K is because it cannot be implemented through LPCM, which is how Apple mixes content audio & system audio. So, Apple will either mix the audio via DD+ instead or give a bit streaming option.

I wouldn’t be so sure yet. My hunch is Dolby Atmos will be only for the ATV4K. Keep in mind it’s not Apple that makes the call — it’s the movie studios — and AFAIK, DA is one of those “exclusive to 4K” things in a similar way that HDR or Dolby Vision are. At least from what I’ve seen and bought anyway, Blu-ray (1080p) versions don’t come with HDR encoded, and I imagine Dolby Atmos won’t either. If that’s the case, then the 4th Gen isn’t likely to get the DA option.

 

[benji888]

There are a few HD blu-rays with Dolby Atmos, but, yes, it is being used as a marketing tool to help sell 4K/UHD. The first blu-ray disc with an Atmos track was released in 2014, I think. Also, VUDU has had Dolby Atmos (DD+) HD titles since about the same time.

 

[verniesgarden]

I was really hoping they hmwhere gonna surprise us with HomePod being able to pull off ATMOS

 

[Dominicanyor]

Which Apple TV do you have? The ATV (4th generation) and ATV 4K both support tvOS, so should both be getting tvOS 12. (The ATV (4th generation) has the same audio capabilities as the ATV 4K.)

4th gen for me. I’m glad that i’ll be able to update. So a my able to watch 4K movies as well or I’m just pushing it a little bit?

 

[benji888]

Oh, no, they both run the same tvOS but only the ATV 4K will do 4K & HDR. And some apps (mainly games) might require the ATV 4K since it has the A10X processor and the ATV 4th generation has the A8 processor.