Apple TV’s tvOS 16 is coming with some new features despite not getting stage time at WWDC. Let’s have a look at some of the new changes which you can expect to see on your devices.
The main focus of Apple on this year’s WWDC seemed to be more inclined toward gaming. During the macOS section of the keynote, Apple gave out new games which will be coming to the Mac as the all-new Metal 3.
Also Read: Everything new in tvOS 16
On Apple TV, it had at least a couple of new additions. The biggest among these is the feature which supports many additional Bluetooth gaming controllers. However, Apple doesn’t specify all the newly-supported controllers but it at least opens the doors.
Nintendo is one set of controllers that Apple does point out. Both the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons and Pro controller are supported with tvOS 16.
Another change which can be witnessed in tvOS 16 is the full support of Matter. Matter is a new unifying smart home stand that will allow certified products to work across HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home and even Samsung SmartThings among others.
Initially, Apple had supported it in beta with tvOS 15, but it wasn’t available to consumers. Matter is scheduled to release this fall and Apple is ready with its tvOS 16.
Speaking, visually there isn’t anything new with HomeKit or Matter support but Matter devices will be available to be controlled through the Apple TV and Apple’s Control Center interface.
Another feature which was mentioned by Apple, but at the moment is still vague is improved support for cross-device compatibility. Apple describes it as:
Integrate your tvOS app with your IOS, iPadOS, or watchOS app to unlock new experiences on Apple TV.
A version for itself is already being used with Apple Fitness. This is how it pairs with your Apple watch at the beginning of a workout. During one of the WWDC sessions, Apple went into further details and gave some examples of how this could work.
The workout apps could deliver more personalized workout experiences and improved metrics by using motion data from Apple Watch. Even video player apps can include timelines or real-time accompanying data on an iPhone or iPad as media plays. Developers could also create a second-screen experience for the iPhone as the user plays games on Apple TV such as displaying maps.
Other changes made are minor. There are new rich video previews for Apple TV+ originals to boost discovery, in the TV app. The intensity levels are now called out on-screen during Apple Fitness+ workouts that vary from easy, moderate, hard, to all-out.
Additional family members are now suggested inside of the Control Center. Under Settings go to General there is a new toggle for 24 to 12-hour time formats. Accessibility has a new Hover Text Option.
Apple has also added new SwiftUI elements for developers. New custom button styles and effects can improve the look, feel, and use of third-party apps. At first, tvOS 16 boasted support for HDR10+ but in the days following the WWDC these mentions were removed. This could possibly signal the removal of the planned feature or a delay to a future release.
Apple says that tvOS 16 will support the following:
· Apple TV fourth gen
· Apple TV HD
· Apple TV4K
· Apple TV 4K second-gen
Presently, tvOS 16 is in developer beta. A public beta is scheduled to be released in July before a full release this fall.