Rumor: Apple TV to get multi-user support, picture-in-picture with 'tvOS 11'
With "tvOS 11" -- likely to be announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June -- the Apple TV will allegedly gain a pair of demanded features from the company's other platforms.
Mockup by The Verifier
Multi-user support will tailor onscreen content to the active profile/Apple ID, Israeli site The Verifier said on Sunday, citing a "reliable source." People should not only see their personal Apple Music, iCloud, and iTunes content, but also their own apps.
Connecting profiles to a TV is expected to be a one-time affair, with switching between them as simple as changing channels. Work on the technology is described as being in the advanced stages, but integration could potentially be delayed until a later point release.
To date, only Macs have offered multiple user accounts for everyone. iPads technically support it, but only in classroom settings.
Mockup by The Verifier
The other new tvOS feature, picture-in-picture, may borrow from both Macs and iPads, letting people watch a stream in a corner window while browsing the homescreen or another app.
The Verifier also supported rumors that Apple will eventually incorporate a live programming guide, and offer some form of subscription TV content through partnerships.
The site is still an unknown quantity in Apple news, having made a number of claims that will take time to back up. It has argued for example that "iOS 11" will offer group video calls in FaceTime, and deeper Siri integration in iMessage and iCloud. One unlikely suggestion is that the "iPhone 8" will have an iPad-style Smart Connector.
Mockup by The Verifier
Multi-user support will tailor onscreen content to the active profile/Apple ID, Israeli site The Verifier said on Sunday, citing a "reliable source." People should not only see their personal Apple Music, iCloud, and iTunes content, but also their own apps.
Connecting profiles to a TV is expected to be a one-time affair, with switching between them as simple as changing channels. Work on the technology is described as being in the advanced stages, but integration could potentially be delayed until a later point release.
To date, only Macs have offered multiple user accounts for everyone. iPads technically support it, but only in classroom settings.
Mockup by The Verifier
The other new tvOS feature, picture-in-picture, may borrow from both Macs and iPads, letting people watch a stream in a corner window while browsing the homescreen or another app.
The Verifier also supported rumors that Apple will eventually incorporate a live programming guide, and offer some form of subscription TV content through partnerships.
The site is still an unknown quantity in Apple news, having made a number of claims that will take time to back up. It has argued for example that "iOS 11" will offer group video calls in FaceTime, and deeper Siri integration in iMessage and iCloud. One unlikely suggestion is that the "iPhone 8" will have an iPad-style Smart Connector.
Comments
Been waiting for multi-user support on iPad for 7 years.
All iOS devices including AppleTV will now have a much more advanced and secure file system called APFS.
I imagine it will facilitate a lot of cool stuff that could not be done before and leave the competion in the dust.
I could be wrong, but I think multi-user support is more important on the AppleTV. I reckon most iPads are used by a single person, while most AppleTVs sit under the family TV set.
Actually I'm pretty sure I'm right.
I won't even dwell on the propensity of each App/channel to forget that I'm signed in and require me to re-authenticate yet again with my service provider.
It seems that Apple still is not applying "it just works" type product improvements to AppleTV.
Now, most don't like the price, and would prefer a rental option. This something I think Apple should try again (as it is the studios that were against it prior). Perhaps combining with an iTunes subscription. I have posted about that a few times.
As to multiusers of iPads: the predictable and obvious result is...you sell fewer iPads. I'll bet Tim and Company are really pushing that.
The PIP thingy will need a lot of improvement over what is proposed. One of the things I really like about the FoxSportsGo app is the multiscreen function. You can put up to 4 games on the screen. But of course...it is only those games available on FoxSports at the time. I have to leave the app to go look at ESPN. So...unless this solves the issue, it seem of very limited value to me.
It *is* a huge enticement to the OTA HDHomeRun and Channels set up. But...if I really wanted PIP OTA, I'd just buy a HDTV with that function. Now I think about it - does anyone know if there are any "smart" HDTV models that have an OTA user guide? You know - the scrolling TV channel thingy with "whats on?" status like the usury cable bastards have?