Every fall, Apple announces updates to its many platforms — iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS and tvOS. The last mentioned platform doesn’t always get to enjoy the spotlight as much as the others. Not this year. Apple is bringing a number of changes to tvOS 17 this fall, making your Apple TV box more powerful. Also, there are some new features for the already powerful AirPods.
Big updates on tvOS 17
This year, Apple is bringing a number of important updates to tvOS. The first thing you will notice is the additional column of icons, meaning you now have six instead of five columns. It may not sound like a big deal but navigating the UI will become easier as more information fits the screen.
But a far bigger update is the addition of FaceTime and Continuity Camera APIs to Apple TV. There will be a couple of options before you when it comes to FaceTime. You can begin a conversation on your iPhone and then transfer it to the Apple TV using the handoff or Continuity feature.
Alternatively, you can simply open the FaceTime app andthen select yourself from the list of users. When you get an alert on the iPhone, you can tap and accept. Follow it up by placing the iPhone on a stand or where you feel comfortable, so you can be seen better. Soon you are on the screen and the focus will be on you. In the FaceTime application you will notice a big menu running down the left-hand side of the screen and you will need to choose the person you want included, be it from the recent caller list or a particular name from the contact list.
There are also a few other important options — Center Stage, which will keep you in the frame even when you move around and the camera will automatically zoom out when more people before join in. Next is Portrait Mode to offer a bokeh effect. Third, Reactions, which is an interesting addition. The camera can read the gestures you make, like two thumbs up (automatically fireworks get triggered on the screen).
Equally compelling is Continuity Camera. Third-party developers can also use the API effectively, like on WebEx or Zoom.
That’s not enough. There is split-view multitasking with FaceTime. Say you are watching a movie together or playing a video game, you can do this while talking to each other at the same time.
And to the feature that may catch on in a big way. A few months ago, Apple Music introduced a feature called Sing, which is sort of a karaoke mode in which you can modify the degree to which the original vocals can be reduced to highlight the music. When you open the Apple Music app and turn on Sing, you will see on the TV that you are also visible on the screen alongside the lyrics. Keep singing while you are on the big screen. What’s most interesting is the range of filters that can be applied. The filters are applied in real-time and you can replace the background with something cool. You will at once get transported to a karaoke bar.
Let’s turn to design and the revamped Control Centre. Once you bring up the Control Centre, you will have easy access to Wi-Fi, Do Not Disturb, mute notifications, Sleep Timer, game controller and so on. This is the section from which you can access everything related to HomeKit, allowing you to move between all the cameras that are connected around the house. It’s far more powerful than before.
On to something every Apple TV user loves — screensaver. There are some new options. For Ariel screensaver, there are new locations, like Arizona’s Monument Valley and California’s Coastal Redwoods. You can also use Memories based on your photographs. In this mode, the system can pull photos from the Photos app and give you customised picture memories, curated to great music.
Finally, on to the fact that the Apple TV remote (like any other remote) often gets lost in the cracks around the sofa. If you have the latest Apple TV 4K and Siri Remote, you can use the iPhone to find the remote. In the Control Centre of your phone you will find a new icon that will help you find the Apple TV remote. It uses Bluetooth proximity.
More power for AirPods
For any Apple user, the AirPods is a must-have because of the number of features it offers. In fall of this year, software updates across AirPods will unlock new capabilities to transform the personal audio experience.
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) will become easier to use across environments and interactions with three powerful new features: Adaptive Audio, Personalised Volume, and Conversation Awareness.
At the moment, you constantly move between Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes. The first one effectively drowns out the world around you and has become a favourite feature for frequent fliers while Transparency pipes in sounds around you to make you more aware of the surroundings. The other option is off, that is you hear the music and whatever is around you. The new Adaptive mode dynamically blends Transparency mode and Active Noise Cancellation together based on the conditions of a user’s environment to deliver the best experience in the moment. Adaptive Audio allows you the advantage of Transparency while you’re, say, cleaning dishes, and then seamlessly adjust to Noise Cancellation, when you turn on the drill to put a nail on the wall. The switch will be seamless as audio playback will sound consistent.
Conversation Awareness will be an important trick when you are, say, in the office. Once turned on, AirPods Pro 2 will be able to automatically lower your volume and enhance the voices of people speaking in front of you. At the same time, reduce background noises.
The other interesting feature coming this fall is Mute or Unmute, especially helpful during calls. The feature will be across AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generations), AirPods (3rd generation), and AirPods Max. Users can press the stem — or the Digital Crown on AirPods Max — to quickly mute or unmute, so multitasking is effortless.
