Apple announces its line of Apple TV 4K will soon see new features amidst software updates. Starting this fall, Apple TV 4K will be able to run FaceTime and enable video conferencing. Dolby Vision 8.1 will also be added to the upgraded tvOS 17 operating system.
New features and enhancements make Apple TV simpler to use and even more enjoyable, reinforcing it as the absolute best option in the living room for Apple customers,” according to Bob Brothers, Vice President of Apple’s Worldwide Product Marketing division.
The new Apple TV models will provide a more “personalized experience” that will allow it to pair with iPhones better in addition to adding a snazzy new Control Center. Consumers can easily switch back and forth between Apple TVs and iPhones for calls and video conferencing via Apple’s wireless Continuity Camera.
A new Center Stage feature allows users to move around while chatting and even enables hand-generated effects to create nifty chat perks. Users can also use Split View to watch a video while on a FaceTime call using SharePlay.
Sources report the upgrades are already available in the beta stage. The full force of these new Apple TV features is said to give “users the ability to easily connect with anyone right from their living room.
Additional features coming with tvOS 17 include:
- Enhance Dialogue, which lets users more clearly hear what is being said over the effects, action, and music in a movie or TV show on Apple TV 4K paired with HomePod (2nd generation) by separating the dialogue from the background noise and bringing it forward to the center channel.
- Dolby Vision 8.1 support, which offers Apple TV 4K users a more cinematic visual experience with dynamic metadata over a broader range of movies and TV shows.
- Apple Fitness+ enhancements, including Custom Plans, a new way for Fitness+ users to receive a custom workout or meditation schedule based on day, duration, workout type, and more. Stacks, which allows users to select multiple workouts and meditations to seamlessly do back-to-back, and Audio Focus, which gives users the ability to prioritize the volume of the music or the trainers’ voices.
- Third-party VPN support, which enables developers to create VPN apps for Apple TV. This can benefit enterprise and education users wanting to access content on their private networks, allowing Apple TV to be a great office and conference room solution in even more places.
Check out Apple’s website for more information and see available device options.