2023-09-20 08:58:00
This week Apple released the new operating system tvOS 17 for its Apple TV (4K) series of media players. We had already reported on the new functions in advance, which also include improved support for Dolby Vision. Apple is introducing profile 8.1 for the dynamic HDR format, which expands compatibility. What is also new is support for third-party VPN providers. For most users, however, the FaceTime integration will probably be the highlight, we assume.
Apple is now bringing FaceTime to your television or Apple TV. tvOS 17 allows you to use the app for video chats on the big screen for the first time. However, there is also a catch. The Apple TV 4K does not have its own webcam. So you need an iPhone for the so-called camera handover. Otherwise, FaceTime will unfortunately still be closed to you.
Apple tvOS 17 also expands the shortcut menu bar. | Image: Apple
On top of that, Apple has also optimized Apple Music’s “Sing” feature. This allows you to fade in lyrics to the music and mute or attenuate the original vocals. What’s new is that under tvOS 17 you can also use the camera transfer mentioned above in combination with an iPhone. Then you see yourself on the smart TV. So if you feel like doing karaoke with some dancing or posing, this is the function for you. Especially since you can present yourself with different filters, some of which adapt dynamically to the music.
Apple tvOS 17: Coming soon with even more video chat options
Apple has also confirmed that you will soon be able to use not only FaceTime, but also the tvOS apps from Webex by Cisco and Zoom in combination with camera handover. In addition, Apple has added the option of locating the Apple TV 4K’s Siri Remote with an iPhone. However, this only works on models that use at least iOS 17. Apple also promises a revised control center with more information and improved profile management.
We would also like to highlight the “Improve dialogs” function. It separates the voices from the background noise and brings them more to the foreground via the center channel of your speakers. This is how you can better understand dialogue in TV series and films when your Apple TV 4K is paired with a HomePod (2nd generation). But as you can see, many of the new features of tvOS 17 require that you are firmly rooted in Apple’s ecosystem.
The “Reviews” function for the screen savers does not have any special requirements. Now you can experience curated recaps from your personal library, a shared library, or both on a big screen.
Apple has also integrated shared spatial audio, which we have also already reported on. This means that if you have two connected AirPods models (AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 3 and AirPods Max), you can now use spatial audio on both models instead of just one as before. But then you have to do without dynamic head tracking.
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