Everything new in tvOS 12: Over 20 new features for Apple TV
During WWDC 2018, Apple devoted a bit of screentime to tvOS 12, but not nearly as much as the others. AppleInsider dives in and find over 20 new features and changes coming on Monday to the Apple TV.
What is clearly the biggest feature coming to Apple TV, is Dolby Atmos support. That will make the Apple TV the only set top box to support both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Additionally, like 4K content, Apple will be upgrading eligible content to support Dolby Atmos for free.
We are also getting a successor to single sign-on, zero sign-on. Apple TV will automatically take your location, and your local network and authenticate you against your cable subscriber, giving you access to any number of third-party apps.
One of our personal favorite new features, is password AutoFill. Whenever a user goes to sign into an app, the QuickType keyboard will automatically appear on their iPhone or iPad. But thanks to tvOS 12 and iOS 12, it will now include access to saved passwords. This makes it measurably easier to sign-in to apps and services on the device. What's more, there is now support for guests. When going to sign-in, if an unknown iOS device is within a foot or so from the Siri remote, it will automatically get presented with a pairing code prompt before they are able to then use their own stored passwords to sign-in. It works delightfully well.
Be sure to check out our other cumulative videos with all the new features coming to iOS 12, watchOS 5, and macOS Mojave!
What is clearly the biggest feature coming to Apple TV, is Dolby Atmos support. That will make the Apple TV the only set top box to support both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Additionally, like 4K content, Apple will be upgrading eligible content to support Dolby Atmos for free.
We are also getting a successor to single sign-on, zero sign-on. Apple TV will automatically take your location, and your local network and authenticate you against your cable subscriber, giving you access to any number of third-party apps.
One of our personal favorite new features, is password AutoFill. Whenever a user goes to sign into an app, the QuickType keyboard will automatically appear on their iPhone or iPad. But thanks to tvOS 12 and iOS 12, it will now include access to saved passwords. This makes it measurably easier to sign-in to apps and services on the device. What's more, there is now support for guests. When going to sign-in, if an unknown iOS device is within a foot or so from the Siri remote, it will automatically get presented with a pairing code prompt before they are able to then use their own stored passwords to sign-in. It works delightfully well.
Audio
- Dolby Atmos support
- All iTunes content will be upgraded for free
TV Services
- "Zero Sign-On" to surpass single sign-on
- Charter|Spectrum app to launch to watch live TV
iOS 12 integration
- Control Center on iOS automatically gets Apple TV shortcut
- Will work with third-party remotes including Siri support
- HomeKit adds remote category
- Password Auto-Fill in QuickType keyboard on iOS
- Guest sign-in to apps using Bluetooth near the Siri remote and secure pin
Screensavers
- New NASA aerial screensavers
- Ability to control screensavers
- Text overlay on screensavers to know location
Siri
- Find your devices
- Possible addition of new Siri knowledge of Motorsport, Celebrities, and Food
Music App
- New Featured Stations in Radio
Settings App
- HDMI cable check in Video and Audio section of Settings
- New AirPlay "Allow Access" option inside of Settings > AirPlay
- "Room" in Settings > AirPlay moved to bottom
- In Settings > Apps > TV, "Up Next Alerts" changed to "Games in Up Next"
- In Settings > Apps > TV, "Featured Sports and Events" changed to "Exciting Games"
- In Settings > Apps > TV, "Product Announcements" changed to "New Features"
- In Settings > Apps > Music, "Repeat Music" has been removed
Be sure to check out our other cumulative videos with all the new features coming to iOS 12, watchOS 5, and macOS Mojave!
Comments
I love the remote. Its very simple and basic, yet performs 99% of what you need it to do. The only thing I can think of that it is missing is a dedicated power button, which it doesn't need if you set up HDMI through ARC.
The Siri remote looks svelte, but it's a frustrating example of form over function. A third-party case made the Siri remote livable, though not preferable, for me. I bought my first of four Apple TV 4's two years ago and I still don't like the remotes.
Meanwhile, my TiVo's "peanut" remote is ergonomic, functional, practical, and durable, though not the most attractive device to have sitting around.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht204332
I have zero problems with the remote. People just need to use it a few times and it will become second nature.
I also wish that presenters for these demos would clip their hang nails (or get an manicure) before having close-ups of their hands.
The Siri button being “caved in” is how I use it to determine the orientation. It does exactly the same thing, feel for the Siri button and you automatically know it’s supposed to be on the left side of the device.
Apple TV (sometimes) 4K.
The remote is OK, love the touch swiping, but just not crazy about the symmetrical flat shape. I had to get a rubberized remote sleeve to make it more ergonomic and prevent slipping and sliding everywhere all the time.
I'd much rather reassign the useless Siri button to something else, such as home. I know you can reassign the TV button, but it's fairly useful to take you directly to the TV app. I ask Siri to play something, and instead of presenting me with the free options first, it tries to route me to the iTunes Store. I have to hunt around for the free option. Why would I ever buy the show when it's on BBC iPlayer for free? Similarly, I've never had it work with Plex, so I just don't bother. It's unfortunate that Siri is really becoming a quite a joke. When on voice calls with my friends they sometimes shout out "Hey Siri" and try to get my HomePod it to play things. It's almost always wrong or "I can't do that on HomePod".