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Apple Releases tvOS 17 With FaceTime for Apple TV, Revamped Control Center and More

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Apple today released tvOS 17, the latest version of the tvOS operating system that runs on the Apple TV 4K models and the Apple TV HD.

tvos-17-facetime.jpg

tvOS 17, which arrives with build number 21J354, can be downloaded using the Settings app on the Apple TV. Go to System > Software Update to get the new software. Apple TV owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 17 automatically.

In tvOS 17, Apple has added a FaceTime app for FaceTime calls on a larger screen. The feature works through an iPhone or iPad running iOS 17/iPadOS 17, with the iOS device serving as the camera and the TV serving as the display. With a Split View option, you can place your FaceTime call on one side of the TV and a TV show or game on the other side for SharePlay experiences.
Apple Music Sing, the karaoke feature on the Apple TV, can use the same Continuity Camera functionality to let you see yourself as you sing, complete with filters.

Apple redesigned Control Center to make it easier to get to key settings and information without having to open up the Settings app. Control Center also displays the system status, time, and the profile of the person signed in.

Second-generation Siri Remote owners can now use the iPhone to locate a lost remote, taking advantage of the Remote section of the iPhone's Control Center. There are a range of new aerial screen savers, along with screen savers based on the Memories section of the Photos app.

Other new features include Dolby Vision 8.1 support, an enhance dialogue option to make it easier to hear what's being said over music and effects, and support for third-party VPN apps. More on the new features in tvOS 17 can be found in our Apple TV roundup.

Article Link: Apple Releases tvOS 17 With FaceTime for Apple TV, Revamped Control Center and More
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/09/18/apple-releases-tvos-17/
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It would be nice to have passwords for tvOS profiles.

I recently had to temporarily move out of my bedroom and my cousin had to sleep in there. She only wanted access to Disney+, but it would’ve been nice to put a password on my profile and create another one that she can use Disney+ on.
 
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Reactions: Pinkyyy 💜🍎 and armandxp
Look forward to giving this feature a try. How nice it would be to basically have family here to family "there" FaceTime (and hopefully BEYOND FaceTime app) communications around what is probably the biggest screen hooked to the best speakers in the house as opposed to much smaller computer or mobile device screens. I hope it works as well as the demos I've seen.

And I hope next years WWDC tvOS advance (because it seems there can only be one good one each year) is perhaps a high quality, stand-alone camera to put on the TV, powered by TV USB, to do this without having to involve an iDevice. As a stationary device, AppleTV needs a full-time camera for this to be an always-available option instead of a part-time camera when iDevices are always coming & going with their owners.

Apple once made a fantastic iSight camera of this nature. I would like to see a modern option like that revived for this use.
 
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Reset, reboot and power cycle and still not available, while I've already downloaded ios17 to 2 iPhones...

ETA: I knew this would happen - it just became available after I posted, which of course is WHY I posted... lol
 
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I can’t get the “Siri Enhancements” to work.

Under “What’s New”, it mentions Siri can now answer general knowledge questions like “Is corn a fruit?”.

Except, when I ask “Is corn a fruit?”, I get “Sorry, I can’t help you search for that here.”
 
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Reactions: Pinkyyy 💜🍎 and dustin_
There is supposed to be a green Facetime app/icon added to the home screen. Maybe you have to turn it on or enable it like you do on a phone to use an iPad to make and take calls.
 
I have the FaceTime App on my Apple TV HD, and the most recent 4K one, but not the older gen 4K models. Weird. Also, my remotes are connecting to the Apple TV HD and the newest 4K model but not the others. I tried repairing, won't even work. Things are charged. Very strange.
 
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