tvOS 18 to Let Apple TV Users Open Web Links on iPhone and iPad

[MacRumors]

Apple TV users will soon be able to AirDrop web links in the menu interface to their iPhone or iPad, thanks to a new feature included in the latest tvOS 18 developer beta.

As Apple TV owners will know, it is not possible to browse the web on the set-top box, so web links are not something you traditionally come across in the tvOS interface. That looks set to change with tvOS 18.

In the Apple TV app, Apple is promoting Immersive Videos for Apple Vision Pro, and these include a new button in the description screen that when pressed AirDrops a web link to the user's nearby iOS device. The feature was discovered by Sigmund Judge in the fifth beta of tvOS 18 that was released to developers on Monday.

In a Threads post, Judge shared a video of the feature in action, saying that it "gives a preview for some potentially pretty special integrations including the ability to distribute related media like books, soundtracks and AR experiences to iPhone and iPad."

Apple has yet to use the link sharing button elsewhere in tvOS, but it's easy to see how it could provide a variety of useful functions, such as the ability to handoff content for viewing on other devices.

Post by @sigjudge View on Threads
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Coming this fall, tvOS 18 will bring a range of additional new features to Apple TVs, including an InSight feature in the TV app that is able to provide real-time information about actors, music, and more in Apple TV+ shows and music. Other new features include 21:9 aspect ratio support for projectors, new screen savers with improved controls, and support for Live Captions during FaceTime calls through an iPhone or iPad.

Article Link: tvOS 18 to Let Apple TV Users Open Web Links on iPhone and iPad

 

[MrWeenus]

We still haven't received the new Snoopy screensaver. Where is it?

 

[RedWeasel]

Does it also let me use Apple TV with a 16:10 monitor? No? Still not?

 

[inlvnv]

Just add safari to ATV.

 

[NMBob]

I didn't think they could make things more convoluted than they already are. I was wrong.

 

[joecomo]

great feature - like that

 

[WB2Colorado]

They’ll do anything not to add a web browser to tvOS won’t they

 

[PsykX]

Woohoo, new features.

Please please please Apple... fix the text fields from iPhone Remote to Apple TV, it's been 7 years with the same major issues.

 

[txscott]

Imagine the usefulness of this for advertisers. It's essentially a buy now button.

 

[BJMRamage]

The YouTube app has a "send this ad to your phone" so this is a similar step. why not

for those wanting a Browser....how does that work with pop-up ads or other ads that cover the screen real estate? When I have tried looking for a recipe I sometimes only see 1/3 of the phone showing the actual recipe page with all the pop-ups, videos, etc.

 

[DavidLeblond]

The YouTube app has a "send this ad to your phone" so this is a similar step. why not

Ah yes, the button I press when I go to press the "skip" button one second too quickly.

 

[victorvictoria]

I have no idea what all this means. Better explanation would be nice.

 

[McKodiak]

This is all wonderful. Meanwhile, I would like to be able to select an Apple TV profile upon waking up. I’m tired of my kids watching their shows on my profile and their next episodes or incomplete movies showing up in my Apple TV Home encouraging me to watch them.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Just add safari to ATV.

They will never do it. As they said of Bittorrent clients, the exact same words apply to web browsers: Not allowed because it is a protocol sometimes used for piracy.

 

[mrr]

I just want to use Safari on Apple TV.

 

[CarAnalogy]

I didn't think they could make things more convoluted than they already are. I was wrong.

They’ll do anything not to add a web browser to tvOS won’t they

There's the great quote I believe attributed to Upton Sinclair. Roughly: It is very difficult to get a person to understand something when that person's paycheck depends upon them not understanding it.

The directive has been set that there is to be no web browser on tvOS due to potential piracy. Therefore, their entire world view bends around that blind spot.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Imagine the usefulness of this for advertisers. It's essentially a buy now button.

I guess it's the inverse of the quote above. It's easy to get someone to understand something when they see how it will make them money.

They know we just want a web browser. Not good for them, so they pretend they don't know that.

Nobody asked for links to be pushed to the phone. But they see how that's good for them. So on the high priority development list it goes.

 

[GWLBE]

Add crossfade to apple music app.

 

[Tofy79]

What about coming APPLE TV device? any hope released this year?!!

 

[Crom!]

Can anyone tell me why appleTV can't run IOS apps? Doesn't the current appletv have similar specs as the Iphone 14?

 

[svish]

Good to know about this change.