Apple Releases tvOS 9.0.1 Update for Apple TV

[Tech198]

Will there ever be another OS update for the 3rd Gen AppleTV? Or 2nd??

I'm wondering the same, it's been ages since the 3rd generation has received any updates. I think this how how Apple does this..... Force users to upgrade and stop updating older products overnight.

The fact there is no release notes for this 9.0.1 update for tvOS is strange..... Apple wants to be more secret ?

They couldn't be any more clearly.

 

[Jeremy1026]

Any idea if "tvOS" will come to the 3rd gen Apple TV? While I know most of the "new" stuff won't be available, it will be nice to get the updated UI and some of the other features like better Netflix support?

Or is Apple continuing the trend of fragmenting their product lineup with 16 different OS variations and crippling old products forcing you to need to upgrade?

How dare Apple stop supporting 5 year old hardware with the latest and greatest features!

I think they need to step back with the next OS X release and ensure it works on the AppleII while we are at it.

 

[Elbon]

they have created a new product with new features in order to make money for its executives and shareholders

Or, maybe the hardware in the ATV 2 and 3 actually *isn't* up to the task of providing the complete tvOS experience.

 

[Armandodj]

The Good: only took a few minutes to update.
The Bad: Looks like this update does nothing to address the horrible on screen keyboard, not being about to connect bluetooth keyboards, and not updating it to work with the iOS Remote App.

Decided that I'll take mine back this weekend if they don't "fix" the keyboard issue by then. Don't want to fall into the issue I did with my Apple Watch in waiting for fixes and improvements that never came and being outside of the return window.

 

[azentropy]

What you are describing are major changes that may not ever be implemented.

ATV3 had them. But you are right, which is why I'll return it. If they add those features back in I might repurchase, but right now it certainly isn't worth the price to me in it's current state.

 

[gijoeinla]

This is the type of update that one wouldn't expect from a polished product. Why release new hardware and software if a stability and general improvement update was just around the corner. I don't like this general attitude of release it now, fix and improve it later.

This comment makes me want to return my iPhone and trade it in for an UN--UPDATEABLE Android L O L..

What in hell are you talking about? Dude take a look at this. Apparently you'd rather live in this world. Go right ahead and keep criticizing Apple for "unpolished" product... The chart below is a stunning indictment of what happens to its competitors "polished" products L O ***** L.

 

[2457282]

More likely, it's just the continuation of development that was going on before the product shipped. They simply chose a point at which to freeze the shipping version's development so they had a version to put on the device to sell it. There's most likely a developer bug database that has all the known issues in it, including everything they didn't fix by ship date of the device. Once it got into wide spread use, they then looked at how much increased priority needed to go to those already known problems they had in their bug tracker.

Very true that products are usually shipped with know noncritical defects that are prioritized for followup releases. And I would assume that would be 9.1. But this is 9.0.1 which to says there was something they either thought was noncritical that became critical (they under estimated the severity of a known defect) or more likely they identified a critical defect after release. At least that is my guess.

 

[DNichter]

Or, maybe the hardware in the ATV 2 and 3 actually *isn't* up to the task of providing the complete tvOS experience.

Yes, correct. Highly reasonable as well.

 

[DNichter]

I'm wondering the same, it's been ages since the 3rd generation has received any updates. I think this how how Apple does this..... Force users to upgrade and stop updating older products overnight.

The fact there is no release notes for this 9.0.1 update for tvOS is strange..... Apple wants to be more secret ?

They couldn't be any more clearly.

No one is forcing you to do anything. Your product still works just as well as it did prior to the release of the new product.

 

[gbc204]

Enjoying the new AppleTV, but it's not without its major annoyances. The onscreen keyboard is a nightmare, and not having a replacement for the Remote app a launch is a major blunder. And it doesn't seem to remember passwords if I want to output the sound to my airport express, so I have to enter that every single time, and the AV preferences don't seem to carry over from the main settings to the other apps, so I've had to change the settings manually every single time. Other than that its great.

EDIT- Also, not loving the fact that they removed the optical audio cable and didn't replace it with any other sort of audio output. I have an older Yamaha receiver that works just fine, but doesn't have HDMI, so now I have to Airplay the AppleTV through my Airport express into my stereo. Would it have killed them, in the years between updating the AppleTV, to just put in a simple audio out port?

 

[Armandodj]

I did not took any chances and return my Apple TV, too me it's not ready yet, I rather wait until next year to see what happens. The ATV4 it's not ready to compete. Sorry Apple!!!!

 

[azentropy]

I think the onscreen keyboard is a huge improvement. It is made to take advantage of the swipe-speed sensitive remote and works quite well, in my opinion.

Maybe for hunt and peck typist it is an improvement. But for anyone else I fail to see any way they could "type" on it nearly as fast as with a virtual qwerty keyboard, a real bluetooth keyboard or the Remote App.

 

[jkichline]

This is the type of update that one wouldn't expect from a polished product. Why release new hardware and software if a stability and general improvement update was just around the corner. I don't like this general attitude of release it now, fix and improve it later.

Then you should probably not purchase technology.

Fact is, the newest Apple TV is awesome and solid. I've had ZERO problems with it. This is most likely some tweaks to fix issues reported by developers. This happens with every release of everything.

If you don't like this, then you should probably wait until three or four releases of software before doing anything. For the rest of us, we want the newest thing and get to enjoy it now.

 

[mcdj]

I agree the new keyboard is a pain to use - but I don't think bluetooth keyboards or remote app are the way to go.

There is a touch-pad on the remote. C'mon people, the best entry-method is right there! Let people draw letters using their finger on the touchpad area as input. That would be the best! This text-input method is already used in some luxury cars and works very well.

Yeah, can't wait to enter my 14 character mixed case alpha numeric passwords on a 1 inch surface with my fat finger.

 

[DNichter]

ATV3 had them. But you are right, which is why I'll return it. If they add those features back in I might repurchase, but right now it certainly isn't worth the price to me in it's current state.

Which is completely fair. I can only speak for myself, but feel the benefits outweigh some of the shortcomings right now and I look forward to improvements to the platform over the next few months.

 

[aStb]

Somebody please tell me Siri finally works for everyone that sets their Apple TVs language to english. I have my region set to Germany which is where I live and my AppleID is registered but I do not want to speak to Siri in german or use my OS in german....
Weirdly every combination except for the matching ones (English+US, German+Germany) does disable Siri. Hope that is fixed!!!!

 

[jkichline]

The Good: only took a few minutes to update.
The Bad: Looks like this update does nothing to address the horrible on screen keyboard, not being about to connect bluetooth keyboards, and not updating it to work with the iOS Remote App.

Decided that I'll take mine back this weekend if they don't "fix" the keyboard issue by then. Don't want to fall into the issue I did with my Apple Watch in waiting for fixes and improvements that never came and being outside of the return window.

I don't see an issue with the keyboard personally. I think you should do your research next time before purchasing and getting your stress levels and blood pressure increased.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Yeah, can't wait to enter my 14 character mixed case alpha numeric passwords on a 1 inch surface with my fat finger.

I just tried it, and I can draw all letters in both cases, numerals, and the symbols that appear on the keyboard perfectly well on a 1" space using my finger. This isn't difficult...

 

[SmileyDude]

Will there ever be another OS update for the 3rd Gen AppleTV? Or 2nd??

Probably not. The 2nd gen stopped getting updates at the same time Apple re-freshed the UI on the 3rd gen.

Of course, why fix it if it's not broken?

 

[snebes]

Unfortunately it sounds like the Remote App will never be supported on the new Apple TV which has made me hold off on buying:

https://sixcolors.com/post/2015/11/apple-tv-nice-box-bad-unboxing/

This review alone makes me want to return my unopened TV4 and be happy with my TV3. I haven't been sold on this new platform yet. Luckily, I'm not tied into the Apple ecosystem on my TV.

 

[guzhogi]

Yeah, can't wait to enter my 14 character mixed case alpha numeric passwords on a 1 inch surface with my fat finger.

Try this password:

 

[nikonsean]

Yeah, can't wait to enter my 14 character mixed case alpha numeric passwords on a 1 inch surface with my fat finger.

I think if they just showed upper, lower and numbers always it would be much faster than having to hit the mode change buttons. There is plenty of real estate for more on screen characters.

 

[Chytin]

Just updated mine. And the interface is definitely much faster.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Yeah, can't wait to enter my 14 character mixed case alpha numeric passwords on a 1 inch surface with my fat finger.

Also, the touch area is 1.5in x 1.5in, or 2.25in^2, or 2.12in diagonal. I'm sure you far fingers would fit.

 

[albebaubles]

Do you know that an update to the Remote App is indeed in the works? So far, it seems most rumors suggest the Remote App is being discontinued, and will not be updated.

Why so they can sell more replacement remotes? I imagine they are working to include all the motion sensitive features the discreet remote has in the Remote app for iOS - if so that's a fairly substantial update - I envision some iPhones being flung across the room inadvertently.