Apple today unveiled the new Apple TV operating system, TVOS 12, in its keynote address for WWDC 2018.
Apple announces tvOS 12 with Dolby Atmos immersive audio, free updated iTunes content, and more
Apple just released TVOS 11.4 late last month, making AirPlay 2 compatible with Apple TV through connected speakers.
During today’s speech, we heard from Tim Cook that Apple’s television business has grown by 50% year-on-year.
TVOS 12 supports Dolby Atmos audio and works with the Dolby Atmos soundboard, the only soundbar compatible with Dolby Atmos and Vision.
The enhanced audio experience will arrive on iTunes this fall and will be a free update to the applicable media.
Apple also detailed updates to the TV application and available providers and services. Charter Spectrum will bring the live TV to the application and will be the first to support a new’Zero Login’ feature.
The Control Center will now automatically include an Apple TV control panel and other smart remote controls from houses like Creston, and more will be able to control Apple TV as well, and will even be supported by Siri.
TVOS 12 will be equipped with a new air screen protector that features incredible images of the ISS (International Space Station).
Aerial screensavers are a favourite feature of Apple TV users, and now they’re even better with tvOS 12. Apple, in collaboration with ISS U.S. National Laboratory and the Center for the Advancement of Science In Space, has introduced new aerial recordings taken from space by NASA astronauts so Apple TV customers can enjoy even more amazing images captured on 4K HDR. In addition, the aerial screensavers will be more interactive and allow users to view location information and scroll through dozens of beautiful aerial images.
The additional features of tvOS 12 for Apple 4K TV and Apple TV 4th Generation make it even easier for customers to access the shows and movies they like best. With iOS 12, customers can automatically and securely fill in passwords from their iPhone or iPad on their Apple TV to conveniently log in to Apple TV apps. The Apple TV Remote option will automatically be added to the Apple TV users’ iPhone or iPad Control Center so they can quickly access the options. Home automation systems such as Control4, Crestron and Savant can be used to operate Apple TV, including using Siri for voice search and control.
Availability
The preview for tvOS developers is available to Apple Developer Program members at developer.apple.com starting today. The new tvOS will be available this fall as a free software update for Apple 4K TV and Apple TV 4th generation. Learn more at apple.com/en/apple-tv-4K. Benefits are subject to change. Some features are not available in all countries or languages.