Along with an App Store, Siri voice integration and universal search are important software-based features available on the new Apple TV. With Siri voice integration, it's possible to search for content and control video playback, while universal search allows users to look for movies and TV shows across a range of different apps.
In the video below, we went hands-on with the new Apple TV to give MacRumors readers an in-depth look at how the new Siri and universal search features work in person.
Siri is linked to universal search, as the main (and simplest) way to seek out television shows, movies, and apps on the Apple TV. Siri is able to do things like pause, rewind, and fast forward, and there are also some cool tricks. For example, asking Siri "What did he say?" during a bit of missed speech in a TV show or movie will rewind a few seconds and display subtitles. Searching through television shows by specific actors, scenes, and episodes is another nifty feature.
At the current point in time, universal search is limited to a handful of sources that include Netflix, iTunes, Hulu HBO Go, and Showtime, but Apple plans to make a universal search API available, expanding the number of apps that can take advantage of the feature.
For more on the new Apple TV, make sure to check out our complete hardware overview and our look at the tvOS App Store. We've also rounded up a list of Apple TV apps and we've shared some tidbits about the new device.
On our forums, our readers are discussing the new Apple TV in the dedicated Apple TV forum. Of particular interest is a thread where new Apple TV owners are discussing their first impressions of the device, and there's also a forum dedicated to Apple TV apps.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)Apple doesn't even allow all services such as Amazon
AppleTV doesn't have Amazon. It's not that they don't allow it. Amazon certainly could be on the AppleTV if they wanted to.
Keep up guy, that has nothing to do with Apple. Your beef is with Amazon, who is refusing to put their app on ATV because there's no additional revenue stream for them without giving a percentage to Apple, and who is also refusing to sell Apple TVs from their own store because it competes from Fire TV.Even if the future is no cable and all streaming, Apple doesn't even allow all services such as Amazon. So, it's always gonna be half baked.
Why didn't Apple include Touch ID on the remote and also a dedicated gaming bundle with game controller?!
New Apple TV doesn't work with Remote iOS app - WTF!! Now I have to use stupid onscreen keyboard to enter App Store password etc
No kidding. Horrible.