tvOS has grown from being “the software that lets me stream video from streaming services” to a full-fledged platform with powerful features, from Home Automation to gaming while still bringing best-in-class streaming into your living room. The latest tvOS 14 extends capabilities even further.
As Part of tvOS 14, Apple is taking a big step in integrating the Home app into tvOS, making it something far more connected. Apple’s commitment to Home has been growing. New features on iOS allow users to add new devices easily along with smart features like HomeKit video to facial recognition on smart doorbells, making Apple TV a crucial part of your Home experience.
Apple TV+ has now hit over 1 billion screens. It offers original content as well as timeless titles. The platform will also start showing up in Sony and Vizio TVs starting next year. Apple TV is well partnered with Dolby to offer amazing technologies like HDR (High Dynamic Range), Dolby Vision and HDR10. On the audio side, there is no shortage of Dolby Atmos audio options to give you a home theatre experience from the comfort of your couch. In 2021 Apple TV+ will be launching Isaac Asimov’s Foundation. A Sci-Fi series from the better part of 70 years ago, which is said to be the greatest of all time.
Apple has been stepping up its content as of late, filling the void from world premiers left out of theatres due to COVID-19. Greyhound with Tom Hanks is the most recent example of this.
Having your Apple TV on now doesn’t have to limit what you can do. TV OS has incorporated picture in picture. This functionality allows you to have your favourite app running and, at the same time, have TV playing. So If you are rocking your number 1 work out but want to catch the news, you can now do that. If you have something playing on apple TV and someone rings your doorbell, OS TV will bring up a window in the corner to show you who is there. If you know this person and have pictures of them on your phone, OS 14 will recognize them and let you know who they are.
AirPlay can also resolve at full resolution. Just by having something playing doesn’t mean that anyone can send their hi-resolution images or videos. The image will appear as picture-in-picture should you wish to share with everyone in front of the TV.
One thing that Apple didn’t mention in the keynote is that Google is finally getting with the program and enabling 4K on Apple TV. The VP9 codec that Google uses for 4K can be decoded easily by the Apple TV (as anyone with Plex content in 4k VP9 already knows), so it’s nice to see they’re catching up.
Gaming also appears to be a continued focus with Apple offering new ways to connect, including support for Microsoft’s Elite 2 and Accessible controllers. More games are finding their way to the power of the AppleTV, so we can expect to see more this year.
The integration of tvOS, the Home and Apple TV is moving towards the smart setup that I have been seeking. It will be interesting to see how this develops and how it integrates with our existing smart home devices soon.
What are you thoughts on the latest update to Apple TV? Let us know in the comments below!
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