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What's New in tvOS 16 for Apple TV: Features and Enhancements

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While the Apple TV was an afterthought during the WWDC 2022 keynote, there is indeed a new tvOS 16 update for all Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models, with the first beta released to developers for testing yesterday. Below, we've rounded up several new features and enhancements coming in the software update.

apple-tv-4k-design-triad.jpg

An overview of new tvOS 16 features for Apple TV:
  • Cross-device connectivity: Apple says tvOS 16 enables developers to integrate their Apple TV app with their iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch apps to unlock new experiences that "feel more personal than ever." For example, developers can deliver more personalized workouts on the Apple TV based on motion sensor data from the Apple Watch, display real-time information on the iPhone while a video plays in their Apple TV app, or include more screens for gameplay.
  • Expanded game controller support: Apple says many additional Bluetooth game controllers are supported on tvOS 16. Notably, this includes support for Nintendo's Joy-Cons and Pro Controller.
  • HDR10+ support has been added to the Apple TV app (Update: Apple has since removed all mentions of this feature on its website, suggesting that this feature might have been abandoned or postponed).
  • Multiuser improvements: tvOS 16 offers improved system integration for user profiles in Apple TV apps. Apple says with credentials stored in a shared keychain, users won't need to sign in and choose their profile every time they launch an Apple TV app that has been updated with this functionality.
  • Matter support: Matter is a new standard that will enable compatible smart home accessories to work together seamlessly across multiple platforms, including Apple's HomeKit, Amazon's Alexa, and more. A home hub is needed to control Matter accessories in the Home app, which can be an Apple TV updated to tvOS 16 or a HomePod/HomePod mini updated to the latest software version.
Apple said the first public beta of tvOS 16 will be released in July, and the software update will be released to all users in the fall. It's likely that additional tvOS 16 features will be uncovered as beta testing continues over the next few months.

Article Link: What's New in tvOS 16 for Apple TV: Features and Enhancements
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/06/07/tvos-16-features-for-apple-tv/
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Its a small ask but it would be nice if you can disable the auto pause when taking off airpods. On IOS you can disable head detection in the airpods settings but not on tvos.

anyone downloaded the beta, can you check?
-d
 
For Matter, if I add a device under Amazon, does that mean it will now also show up under Home app?
 
  • Expanded game controller support: Apple says many additional Bluetooth and USB game controllers are supported on tvOS 16. Notably, this includes support for Nintendo's Joy-Cons and Pro Controller.

USB??

Are we going to see an Apple TV Pro with front USB ports?
 
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Lame. Apple really is dropping the ball on Apple TV as a whole. The TV+ service has been getting good shows and the Friday Baseball thing is ok, but Apple has SO MUCH POTENTIAL in its surrounding TV concepts that it doesn’t seem to care to reach. Such a damn shame. Using the Apple TV box is so much better than any TV with built in app software. Doesn’t even compete. The TV App can be so much more. The channels feature could be so much more. Everything about their TV ventures is RIGHT THERE to actually lead the way to a truly post-cable world. But they just aren’t putting in the effort.
 
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HDR10+ is a biggie. Some televisions (all Samsung TVs for example) do not embrace Dolby Vision and HDR10 IS the alternative.

Anyone know if the new Continuity Camera is available in tvOS 16? It seems like a natural since so many seem to want an easy way to FaceTime on the main TV. It's wireless and works with a simple, universal clip (by Belkin) with any monitor... so why not buy 2 clips and put one of them on the big TV? It seems like a big (niche) opportunity that perfectly fits all AppleTV setups (whether tucked behind the TV or off to the side or in a cabinet, etc where a built-in camera would not work well at all).

When Apple announced it, I actually thought of using it THIS way FIRST... even above the demoed use of making any computer monitor work with FaceTime. If any monitor, why not a TV "monitor?" Seems like a natural for AppleTV to me.
 
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Think|Different said:
*Crickets* 🦗
So pathetic. Hope it means more to come. Also, so weird the comments everywhere saying “What more could you want?”
Click to expand...

I can easily ask that same question for IOS and MacOS. What more do you want?

For me, innovation. TVOS is part of the Apple EcoSystem, meaning I'm sure they have developers who look at TVOS and try to come up with new and exciting ways to make it work. They are still selling Apple TVs and the second generation one is 2 years old. That tells me they still care about the OS to an extent. There was nothing exciting to come up with in the last 2 years?
 
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HobeSoundDarryl said:
HDR10+ is a biggie. Some televisions do not embrace Dolby Vision and HDR10 IS the alternative.

Anyone know if the new Continuity Camera is available in tvOS 16? It seems like a natural since so many seem to want an easy way to FaceTime on the main TV. It's wireless and works with a simple, universal clip (by Belkin) with any monitor... so why not buy 2 clips and put one of them on the big TV? It seems like a big (niche) opportunity that perfectly fits all AppleTV setups (whether tucked behind the TV or off to the side or in a cabinet, etc where a built-in camera would not work well at all).

When Apple announced it, I actually thought of using it THIS way FIRST... even above the demoed use of making any computer monitor work with FaceTime. If any monitor, why not a TV "monitor?" Seems like a natural for AppleTV to me.
Click to expand...

thats a great idea. We always facetime family and airplay up to the TV. It makes us look like we are staring off somewhere else but its easier for everyone on my end to see the video.

If belkin/whoever made a more flexible mount to accomodate the thickness of a TV and apple tv did continuity camera with facetime Im all in.
 
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dugbug said:
thats a great idea. We always facetime family and airplay up to the TV. It makes us look like we are staring off somewhere else but its easier for everyone on my end to see the video.

If belkin/whoever made a more flexible mount to accomodate the thickness of a TV and apple tv did continuity camera with facetime Im all in.
Click to expand...

Based on the demo and that Apple monitors have a FaceTime camera built in, I think the Belkin mount must be pretty flexible in terms of attaching to any monitor. I suspect it should as easily clip to the top of a TV as it will to any computer monitor. So the key is will tvOS have the functionality to make that feature work the same way?

In the meantime, the hack solution is almost what you are doing now: get the FaceTime call going on an iDevice and then prop it up against the center bottom of the TV. You will effectively be creating a bottom "notch" where the device is covering some of the TV screen but that works pretty well so that it looks like you are looking at those on the other end... almost like taking an Apple monitor and flipping it upside down (camera at the bottom). This works but be sure you secure your iDevice as the temptation is to prop it up as flat as possible and that can lead to "tip forward and fall" scenarios. So prop it up that way and then put something in front of it to hold it in place without covering the camera.

Hopefully the Belkin option arrives this Fall and Apple makes tvOS 16 support the same great feature. That hack option works but is far from elegant. The Belkin clip + Continuity Camera option looks almost dream-like perfect for this purpose... assuming AppleTV can contribute its part which- I presume- is something very similar to airplaying from iDevice to AppleTV... so it seems likely if Apple will simply put it in tvOS.
 
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DaPizzaMan said:
Just out of genuine curiosity, since I hardly use my Apple TV, what more could you want?
Click to expand...
spazzcat said:
This is where I am at, not sure what people are looking for, the only thing I could think of is maybe more homekit stuff...
Click to expand...

I posted this on another thread:

Home automation
Adding a Safari Browser
Announcing bigger commitment to gaming
Bundled Apple Controller
Landscape FaceTime
FaceTime integration with an iPhone or other Apple device, or add-on camera
Announce larger storage options
Easy connection to Hotels' Wifi feature (a web browser would work as well if there was one)
Choose what Aerials are shown
Allow for instant downloads of chosen Aerials
Better storage management and being able to see what the static storage space is taken
VPN support

Other people responded with some of their own, such as audio passthrough, a section showing apps that need to be updated, like iOS has for people that do not update automatically, and some others that I cannot remember at the moment.
 
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I use my Apple TV to well, watch TV. It does a great job of that for me. The picture quality is great on my 4K TV and the sound is also via my 5.0 receiver set up. HDR10+ will be a nice addition even though I think Dolby Vision is more widespread. I would like to see Apple add a Sports central section where you can see live scores and live games and maybe even standings and sports headlines the such in one place. They are doing it in iOS 16 to some degree. Maybe it wills how up on the ATV.
 
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Johnny907 said:
Pretty weak, Apple. Have they just given up on this device now that most smart TV’s offer the Apple TV+ App?
Click to expand...

AppleTV+ and AppleTV (hardware) functionality are night and day. AppleTV+ is basically a Netflix-like app from Apple. AppleTV (hardware) can do a lot of things beyond only Netflix-like streaming. I don't use AppleTV+ or Netflix at all on my AppleTVs and get great use out of them every day.

I think the most unfortunate thing about AppleTV is that Apple chose to name their cut of Netflix with the same name. Too many people think the AppleTV box is basically the same as the AppleTV+ app... and little-to-no more. In actuality, it's much closer to the opposite of that concept. AppleTV+ is just one of MANY apps that AppleTV hardware can run. Much like iDevices and Macs, the latter can do much more than only what ANY single app can do on it.
 
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