tvOS 17: It's the new era of Apple TV

tvOS 17

Apple TV It is a real beast of multimedia centers, despite the fact that it has many shortcomings, especially centered on the lack of care that the developers have put into its possibilities. However, when we thought that Apple was not going to bet on this device anymore, it decided to surprise us at WWDC23.

This is tvOS, the new Apple TV firmware that offers FaceTime calls using the iPhone camera and many other new features. Find out what are all the capabilities of tvOS 17 and what are all the features that the device of the Cupertino company has for you.

Redesigned control center

Apple is rolling out its new Control Center imaging to all devices, it started on iPhone, moved to iPad, Mac and now it’s also available on the AppleTV, where new buttons have been included, in addition to the already rare ones we had before.

Apple TV Control Center now displays system status, including the current time and profile, as well as other useful details that vary based on user activity.

The new control center will show us in the upper right part of the screen a giant button to turn off Apple TV, Wi-Fi settings, Focus mode, AirPlay, a timer and even shortcuts to game controllers. In this way, the functions will be executed slightly faster, without involving an unprecedented revolution either.

Video calls for everyone

One of those functions that we have never understood why it did not come to Apple TV before, and that justify the acquisition of devices from the Apple environment. In this sense, we will be able to make video calls and see them in real time on the screen. For this we will use the camera of our iPhone or iPad, a system that will be easily and quickly configured.

This API, which will not be exclusive to Apple but may be used by other developers, will allow users to see both our face and that of other users in real time. In this way, We are not only in FaceTime calls, but we can use the karaoke function of Apple Music to see each other in real time on the screen, and even watch a movie with our friends and observe their reactions.

You will no longer lose control

You risk losing the Siri remote control, despite the fact that the renewed Apple TV remote control has nothing to do with the previous one, excessively thin and fragile, it is still noticeably smaller and lighter than the traditional TV remote controls that can equip the smart TVs from Samsung or LG, for example.

That said, in the same way that the search app functionality has been integrated into AirPods or AirTags, however, We will now be able to find the Siri remote in case we have lost it on the sofa or in the living room.

To do this, a proximity search system identical to that of the AirTag will appear, only with a blue tint. Of course, we must point out that this This will only be possible if you are using a second-generation or later Siri Remote.

more customization

In addition to the above, when we use iOS 17 Remote UI, Apple TV user profile will be automatically changed according to your user, to provide us with the programs and recommendations that meet your needs.

In the same way, a function has been added that will allow us to use the memories created by iOS on your iPhone or iPad for tvOS screensaver, seamless and fast integration. In addition to that, New screensavers captured in Monument Valley and Sequoia National Park have been added.

On the other hand, Apple has integrated calls “AirPlay Smart Tips”a system that will improve the integration of tvOS with other Apple devices, in this way, in theory, AirPlay will take into account the usage habits of compatible devices, and offer them to us.

More Features

Now, in the audio settings, a loud noise reduction system is integrated which will improve the dialogues of the movies and that they do not overlap with the music or the special effects.
Adds compatibility with Dolby Vision 8.1, the latest version of Dolby’s custom HDR, one of the most widespread and complete on the market.
Support for developers to create third-party VPN apps to integrate with tvOS, which was previously not allowed.

Compatible devices

tvOS 17 will be available and It will be available for download at the end of the year., although it is already available in beta version, which you can install if you configure any developer profile. Here are the compatible models: