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Apple Seeds Second Beta of tvOS 9.2 to Developers

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Apple today provided developers with the second beta of an upcoming 9.2 update to tvOS, the operating system that runs on the fourth-generation Apple TV and powers its built-in App Store. Today's tvOS 9.2 beta 2 comes two weeks after Apple released the first beta of tvOS 9.2 and just hours after the release of tvOS 9.1.1, a minor update that follows tvOS 9.1.

tvOS betas are more difficult to install than beta updates for iOS and OS X. Installing the tvOS beta requires the Apple TV to be connected to a computer with a USB-C to USB-A cable, with the software downloaded and installed via iTunes or Apple Configurator. Those who have already installed the first tvOS 9.2 beta will be able to download the update over the air.


tvOS 9.2 is a major update for the tvOS operating system. It introduces support for Bluetooth keyboards, allowing a keyboard to be paired to the Apple TV for text entry. Bluetooth keyboard support is a major feature that was missing from previous versions of tvOS and its addition should make it much easier to do tasks like entering passwords on the fourth-generation Apple TV.

Along with Bluetooth keyboard support, the tvOS 9.2 update introduces support for grouping apps into folders on the Home screen like on iOS devices, plus it includes a new look for the App Switcher interface.

tvos_folder-800x450.jpg

tvOS 9.2 also includes support for the Podcasts app included in tvOS 9.1.1, introduces MapKit so developers can incorporate maps into their tvOS apps, and it adds Siri support for US Spanish (in the US only) and French Canadian (in Canada only). UK English, Australian English, and US English are also now available as Siri options in the UK, Australian, and US Storefronts when English is set as the tvOS language.

tvos_switcher-800x445.jpg

What's New in tvOS 9.2 beta 2:

iCloud Photo Library - Full iCloud Photo Library access is available on the Apple TV with the second tvOS 9.2 beta installed. It can be enabled through the iCloud section of the Settings menu. In the current public version of tvOS, users can only view Photo Stream content on the Apple TV.

Live Photos - With iCloud Photo Library access comes support for Live Photos. Live Photos saved to an iCloud Photo Library can be played by pressing on the trackpad on the Siri Remote.

Article Link: Apple Seeds Second Beta of tvOS 9.2 to Developers
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/25/apple-seeds-second-beta-of-tvos-9-2/
I'd really like to know what Apple's new addiction to muted, low-contrast colours is? Text that's difficult to read. Poor font choice. I really don't understand this design direction. Should be bold, crisp and good contrast. The tvOS interface definitely does not have that, or am I wrong?
 
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coolfactor said:
I'd really like to know what Apple's new addiction to muted, low-contrast colours is? Text that's difficult to read. Poor font choice. I really don't understand this design direction. Should be bold, crisp and good contrast. The tvOS interface definitely does not have that, or am I wrong?
Click to expand...

Yes. Not everyone wants their interface to look like a Teletubbies episode.
 
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When connecting to the computer with the USB-C to USB-A Cable do you also need to plug in the power cord? I would assume you would need to but in the past I thought at one point it got the power from USB.
Also, the article said that after installing the beta the following updates will happen like normal (not need for iTunes). How about the final GM Release. Will that simply update like coming from 9.1?
 
Why can't the search find stuff in my Home Sharing computer? Seriously? I've got to scroll through to find things and it doesn't even put the recent stuff up on the home page so I can see what was recently added. The computer running iTunes have become completely secondary where with the first ATV your TV Shows and Movies were all there on the front page, then with ATV2 and ATV3 you had to select the computer to see them, and now you don't see anything until you go directly into the computer and all you can do is scroll. No search at all.
 
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tvOS meet iOS :)

Amazing isn't it... We get exited over something that we already have in terms of feature on the iOS platform, but on a new device on our TV.

search function for Home sharing was an issue in 3rd gen as well, so i don't expect Apple to implement any changes for me..... It may be an issue, but i think Apple is focusing on the ability to search and use Siri with streaming content over the internet more than local stuff only..

Don't introduce a feature that would please everyone for Home sharing and the balls in Apple's court. Apple knows how to 'grind my grills'
 
coolfactor said:
I'd really like to know what Apple's new addiction to muted, low-contrast colours is? Text that's difficult to read. Poor font choice. I really don't understand this design direction. Should be bold, crisp and good contrast. The tvOS interface definitely does not have that, or am I wrong?
Click to expand...

I really like it, and am hoping the colour palette bleeds into iOS. It feels higher end, more thoughtful than the dramatic palette that's current. Just my opinion, though. Would be cool to see options in the future.

Also, looks great on my TV... It's plenty full of contrast on my TV (curved Samsung 4K 9000 series).
 
coolfactor said:
I'd really like to know what Apple's new addiction to muted, low-contrast colours is? Text that's difficult to read. Poor font choice. I really don't understand this design direction.
Click to expand...

Quick! Run over to Cupertino, throw all your design awards on the desk, challenge Sir Jony to a duel by slapping him with Hermés gloves, and then Apple will have to hire you to restore sanity to their designs!
 
Folder... Fantastic!
Next big missing feature that need attention immediately imho is :
Consolidation of favorites in user creadted interapp folders (universal) with notification of content availibility for each folder...
Ex.. My fave comedy folder... My fave scify ...etc. where content from many different apps is consolidated.
 
coolfactor said:
I'd really like to know what Apple's new addiction to muted, low-contrast colours is? Text that's difficult to read. Poor font choice. I really don't understand this design direction. Should be bold, crisp and good contrast. The tvOS interface definitely does not have that, or am I wrong?
Click to expand...
The interface really looks excellent on my 65 inch 4k top of the line Sony display. It's bold, crisp and excellent contrast. Much better than the previous motif. I absolutely don't understand your criticism, but aesthetics are certainly an individual thing with no rationale to it.
 
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You know Apple, we wouldn't need to connect a stinking bluetooth keyboard if you would just enable dictation when we do searching. Also, haven't installed the update yet but it would also be nice if they would enable audio output to multiple sources. For example, be able to enable bluetooth headphones and tv output as well.
 
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You can get all your icloud photos with this build.

To turn on this new feature go to Settings, then the iCloud menu and choose to enable iCloud Photo Library.

EDIT: Oh. I see that macrumors have added this to their story now. It wasn't there before.
 
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hauntvictim said:
I had issues getting that open as well. I am prettu sure it is double tap Home button.
Click to expand...

It never works. Maybe the update will improve it.

I hate the look of the interface, but love the new ATV. The IOS layout is just really stale... the crayola factory throwing up on the screen isn't really advancing things nor 3d-esque floating icons.

Function wise it's great. And much faster.... but I HATE THE PAUSE FEATURE!!!!!!! It fades the screen too much. Sometimes you're trying to see something when you pause.... change it back!
 
TVOs needs a notification centre / universal in-box. Universal search is great but I still waste tons of time going in and out of apps looking for newly added episodes to my queues, lists, season passes, etc.
 
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SlipperySlop said:
The interface really looks excellent on my 65 inch 4k top of the line Sony display. It's bold, crisp and excellent contrast.
Click to expand...
I agree that it looks nice, but they urgently need a dark mode. When watching in the dark (e.g. on a projector), it feels like the white(ish) background burns your eyes out after the film ends ...
 
limtc said:
I have beta 1, and doing a software update on Apple TV and being told it is the latest version.
Click to expand...

Same on both of my aTVs! Came here looking for someone else having this problem and was surprised to see only your post.
 
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What the TV really needs is dictation for text fields. It's the only feature I seriously need and it bothers me every time I use the TV.
 
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