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Apple Seeds First Beta of tvOS 9.2 to Developers
Apple today provided developers with the first beta of an upcoming update to tvOS, the operating system that runs on the fourth-generation Apple TV and powers its built-in App Store. Today's tvOS beta comes just over one month after the release of tvOS 9.1, the first update to tvOS since it was released in October alongside the new Apple TV.
tvOS betas are more difficult to install than beta updates for iOS and OS X. Installing the tvOS beta requires the Apple TV to be connected to a computer with a USB-C to USB-A cable, with the software downloaded and installed via iTunes.
We don't know what's included in the new version of tvOS, but it's likely to bring expanded features, bug fixes, and performance improvements to Apple's youngest operating system.
The first tvOS update, tvOS 9.1, introduced Siri support for Apple Music, allowing the personal assistant to play content from Apple Music when requested. Siri for Apple Music on the Apple TV works similarly to Siri for Apple Music on iOS devices, enabling queries like "What was the top song in 1980?" or "Play Adele's latest single." It also brought support for the iOS and Apple Watch Remote app, which is now compatible with the new Apple TV.
What's new in tvOS 9.2:
Bluetooth keyboard support - tvOS 9.2 now supports Bluetooth keyboards, allowing a keyboard to be paired to the Apple TV for text entry. This is a major feature that was missing from previous versions of tvOS and its addition should make it much easier to do things like enter passwords.
Folders - tvOS 9.2 includes support for grouping apps in the Home screen into Folders, much like one can do on an iOS device. Folders are a bit buggy on the Home screen, but this will improve in subsequent betas.
MapKit - tvOS 9.2 supports MapKit, allowing developers to implement maps into their tvOS apps.
Siri - Siri now includes support for US Spanish (in the US only) and French Canadian (in Canada only). UK English, Australian English, and US English are now available in the UK, Australian, and US Storefronts when English is set as the tvOS language.
App Switcher - There's a new look for the App Switcher interface in tvOS.
Podcasts - The Podcasts app is now available on the fourth-generation Apple TV.
tvOS betas are more difficult to install than beta updates for iOS and OS X. Installing the tvOS beta requires the Apple TV to be connected to a computer with a USB-C to USB-A cable, with the software downloaded and installed via iTunes.
We don't know what's included in the new version of tvOS, but it's likely to bring expanded features, bug fixes, and performance improvements to Apple's youngest operating system.
The first tvOS update, tvOS 9.1, introduced Siri support for Apple Music, allowing the personal assistant to play content from Apple Music when requested. Siri for Apple Music on the Apple TV works similarly to Siri for Apple Music on iOS devices, enabling queries like "What was the top song in 1980?" or "Play Adele's latest single." It also brought support for the iOS and Apple Watch Remote app, which is now compatible with the new Apple TV.
What's new in tvOS 9.2:
Bluetooth keyboard support - tvOS 9.2 now supports Bluetooth keyboards, allowing a keyboard to be paired to the Apple TV for text entry. This is a major feature that was missing from previous versions of tvOS and its addition should make it much easier to do things like enter passwords.
Folders - tvOS 9.2 includes support for grouping apps in the Home screen into Folders, much like one can do on an iOS device. Folders are a bit buggy on the Home screen, but this will improve in subsequent betas.
MapKit - tvOS 9.2 supports MapKit, allowing developers to implement maps into their tvOS apps.
Siri - Siri now includes support for US Spanish (in the US only) and French Canadian (in Canada only). UK English, Australian English, and US English are now available in the UK, Australian, and US Storefronts when English is set as the tvOS language.
App Switcher - There's a new look for the App Switcher interface in tvOS.
Podcasts - The Podcasts app is now available on the fourth-generation Apple TV.
Tag: tvOS 9.2
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
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Top Rated Comments
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42 months ago
Bought a 64 GB AppleTv last week for 30 Euro less than retail price, should have waited, it's got a lot of potential but the OS still has some ways to go.
Improvements are always welcome, but I'm finding a ton of value in the ATV4. I have had every generation ATV since the first big white one. This one is already amazing, and it gets better with every update.
As more developers create apps it will get even better. Kick it in gear, Amazon.
I need the iOS remote!
Then why don't you download it?
42 months ago
Bought a 64 GB AppleTv last week for 30 Euro less than retail price, should have waited, it's got a lot of potential but the OS still has some ways to go.
Should have waited for what? Don't need new hardware to get OS improvements.
42 months ago
When is the universal search API coming?
The AppleTV is kind of gimped until devs can use it.
The AppleTV is kind of gimped until devs can use it.
42 months ago
Setting this thing up before the remote app was supported and bluetooth keyboard was pretty frustrating.
Hyperbole much? Can really get why this was such a "horrible" experience for people.
I set up two of them, and it really wasn't bad at all. 5 minutes and done. And months of pleasurable usage since.
42 months ago
i just wish Apple would allows devs access to the storage! i can stream in HD from Netflix et all just fine, but somehow from my home network, if sharing anything, it has to buffer every few minutes...
in my experience, it was difficult, typing up long email addresses and passwords... certainly enough to be called frustrating
Hyperbole much? Can really get why this was such a "horrible" experience for people.
I set up two of them, and it really wasn't bad at all. 5 minutes and done. And months of pleasurable usage since.
in my experience, it was difficult, typing up long email addresses and passwords... certainly enough to be called frustrating
42 months ago
I need the iOS remote!
The remote app works with the latest appletv. Just need to make sure you're running the latest tvos update.
42 months ago
i just wish Apple would allows devs access to the storage! i can stream in HD from Netflix et all just fine, but somehow from my home network, if sharing anything, it has to buffer every few minutes...
I'd check your network or ATV settings. I have a Plex server set up with over 300 movies and television shows. We watch them all the time, and never have any buffering issues.
in my experience, it was difficult, typing up long email addresses and passwords... certainly enough to be called frustrating
I have an email address with over 20 characters in it. Again, it took about 5 minutes to set up Netflix, HBO Now, iTunes, Hulu and PBS.
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Wonder if Siri will eventually be allowed to search through personal Movie and TV show collections in iTunes, or other media center apps like it can with music.
The official word from Apple was that they were going to open up the Siri search API to developers. Not sure when that will happen. I would imaging that Plex will start working on it as soon as they have access.
42 months ago
Hyperbole much? Can really get why this was such a "horrible" experience for people.
I set up two of them, and it really wasn't bad at all. 5 minutes and done. And months of pleasurable usage since.
I don't use simple/short passwords so the input method sucked. Then I was wasting time trying to get the remote app working to find out it doesn't work. After which I went for a bluetooth keyboard which also turned out not to work. Lots of time wasted on things I expected to work is frustrating.
42 months ago
If we make a judgment based on previous Apple's behaviour you will need new hardware to get OS improvements.
The 4th Gen Apple TV is more similar to an iOS device than to the Apple TVs of the past. The iPhone/iPod Touch are a much better comparison. Based on Apple's behavior wrt those devices, you will not need new hardware to get OS improvements.
42 months ago
Are you saying Bluetooth keyboards are now supported?
Apparently in the Beta:Bluetooth keyboard support - tvOS 9.2 now supports Bluetooth keyboards, allowing a keyboard to be paired to the Apple TV for text entry. This is a major feature that was missing from previous versions of tvOS and its addition should make it much easier to do things like enter passwords.
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