Apple Seeds Sixth Beta of Upcoming tvOS 11 Update to Developers [Update: Public Beta Available]

Apple today seeded the sixth beta of an upcoming tvOS 11 update designed for the fourth-generation TV, one week after seeding the fifth beta and more than two months after releasing the first beta during the 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference.

Registered developers can download tvOS 11 by connecting the Apple TV to a computer with a USB-C cable and installing the beta software using iTunes.

tvOS 11 didn't receive much attention at the Worldwide Developers Conference because of time constraints, but according to Apple's release notes, it introduces a few new features to the operating system.

tvOS 11 brings automatic switching between light/dark mode based on local time, Home screen syncing options that keep multiple Apple TVs in a household in sync, new background modes and notification support, Focus API improvements, custom sound support, network-based pairing and development support, improvements to Mobile Device Management, and more.

The sixth beta of tvOS 11 most likely focuses primarily on bug fixes and other small refinements, as the first five betas did. Apple's new tvOS 11 update is available for both registered developers and public beta testers. It will see a public release later this year.

Update: The fifth public beta of tvOS 11 is now available for public beta testers.

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Top Rated Comments

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ipedro

15 months ago

Is it me or has this been the most anemic os Apple has ever put out?
iOS and macOS both have feature heavy improvements. TvOS 11 just aprears to be 0.1 type upgrade of tvOS 10

There’s more to it than what was announced at WWDC. Tim Cook said so himself. “We’ll have more to say in the Fall”.

I was at a hotel convention recently and many of the hotel brands and tech vendors knew about upcoming major tvOS hotel infrastructure. Apple is planning on some big partnerships in that field. That requires easy central programming from the front desk, recurring guest accounts and easy account switching. The latter has implications for the mainstream market. User accounts for everyone in the home is one of the most, if not the most requested AppleTV feature.

Then there’s HomePod. Apple didn’t want to say too much about HomePod yet but it’s nearly certain that there’s going to be interactivity between HomePod and AppleTV, their other major home device. They’ll be able to say more once the HomePod is released.

My guess is that you’ll be able to tell HomePod to play something on the Tv. You’ll be able to get visual information on your AppleTV for your HomePod interactions. “Hey Siri, show me my appointments” ... HomePod tells your AppleTV to display your schedule.

And then finally, it’s become clear that a new AppleTV that at the very least supports 4K is being launched in the Fall. Some new features will be limited to that new AppleTV and Apple can’t talk about them until the new hardware is revealed.

Rating: 7 Votes

576316

15 months ago

I'm not bothered about new features, I just want tvOS to be 1000% more stable that it is in its current public release. It is easily the buggiest piece of software Apple ships and it makes them look totally incompetent. Constant crashing and restarts, certain functions just ceasing to work properly...

Rating: 1 Votes

2010mini

15 months ago

Is it me or has this been the most anemic os Apple has ever put out?
iOS and macOS both have feature heavy improvements. TvOS 11 just aprears to be 0.1 type upgrade of tvOS 10

Rating: 1 Votes

dugbug

15 months ago

...Then there’s HomePod. Apple didn’t want to say too much about HomePod yet but it’s nearly certain that there’s going to be interactivity between HomePod and AppleTV, their other major home device. They’ll be able to say more once the HomePod is released..

Im hoping the homepod(s) can also be speakers for tv itself via apple tv for simulated surround sound, etc. and not just for music.

Rating: 1 Votes

Alfie

15 months ago

God TVOS is so boring, this beta put me in a coma.

I think we’re reaching a point in tvOS where changes will come more at the hardware level (4K support) or app level (Amazon Prime, channel bundles) and less at the OS level itself.

That’s not to say Apple won’t do a total re-design or overhaul to the OS at some point, but for now, the standout features are found in other development areas.

Rating: 1 Votes

Sir Ruben

15 months ago

Is it me or has this been the most anemic os Apple has ever put out?
iOS and macOS both have feature heavy improvements. TvOS 11 just aprears to be 0.1 type upgrade of tvOS 10

God TVOS is so boring, this beta put me in a coma.

Rating: 1 Votes