Apple enhances TV offer with new operating system

[tokoroko]

Apple enhances TV offer with new operating system
Details
Joseph O'Halloran
| 04 June 2019

In the latest of its moves to enhance its TV bouquet, CE giant Apple has announced tvOS 13, the operating system that it claims will make Apple TV 4K the easiest and most personalised entertainment device for enjoying TV.

tvOS 13 offers an immersive new Home screen; multi-user support for customers to access their own TV shows, movies, music and recommendations; support for Apple Arcade; expanded game controller support; and new 4K HDR screen savers. The latter comprise immersive videos captured in collaboration with the BBC Natural History Unit, the team behind Blue Planet.

Apps can now play full-screen video previews on the Home screen, so users can gain quicker access to content while the new Apple TV Control Centre enables multiple users to get their own personalised entertainment experience. Users see their unique Up Next list and receive TV and movie recommendations based on their tastes. The new Control Centre also provides users access to key Apple TV features.

tvOS also 13 features the all-new Apple TV app which offers Apple TV channels, personalised recommendations and over 100,000 iTunes films and TV shows, including what is claimed to be the largest collection of 4K HDR titles to browse, buy or rent. In autumn 2019, the app will offer Apple TV+, Apple’s original video subscription service.

“tvOS powers the Apple TV 4K experience and continues to set the standard for home entertainment,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of product marketing. “With more personalised features to enjoy your favourite TV shows, movies, photos and music, expanded gaming support and stunning new screen savers, tvOS 13 delivers the most complete entertainment experience to everyone in the home.”

The tvOS developer preview is available immediately for Apple Developer Program members at developer.apple.com and a public beta program will be available to tvOS users later in JUne 2019 at beta.apple.com. tvOS 13 will be available in the autumn as a free software update for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.

[tokoroko]

Apple previews the new tvOS 13 for Apple TV
June 4, 2019 09.27 Europe/London By Robert Briel
Apple has previewed tvOS 13, the operating system for Apple TV 4K due to be launched this autumn.
In a related development, Apple is phasing out iTunes. At Apple’s 2019 Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, senior vice president of Software Engineering Craig Federighi announced that the iTunes app will be discontinued in its current form. In its place will be three media streaming apps: Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Apple TV.
With tvOS 13, Apple TV 4K gains a new Home screen; multi-user support for customers to access their own TV shows, movies, music and recommendations; support for Apple Arcade; expanded game controller support; and new 4K HDR screen savers filmed under the sea.
“tvOS powers the Apple TV 4K experience and continues to set the standard for home entertainment,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Product Marketing.
“With more personalised features to enjoy your favorite TV shows, movies, photos and music, expanded gaming support and stunning new screen savers, tvOS 13 delivers the most complete entertainment experience to everyone in the home.”
tvOS 13 features a new Home screen on which apps can now play full-screen video previews.
Multi-user support. The new Apple TV Control Center makes it easy to switch between family members so everyone gets their own personalised entertainment experience. Users see their unique Up Next list and receive TV and movie recommendations based on their tastes. The new Control Center also provides users with quick access to key Apple TV features, including system sleep and audio routing.
Apple Music on tvOS 13 takes advantage of multi-user support, so everyone at home can easily play their personalised playlists and recommendations. In the new Control Center, users can quickly access the song that is currently playing. In addition, users can now follow along to onscreen lyrics timed in sync with their favorite songs.
This fall, Apple Arcade comes to Apple TV 4K. With a single subscription, a family of six will have unlimited access to over 100 new and exclusive games, all with no ads or additional purchases, and many will offer support for game controllers. Customers will be able to play Apple Arcade games across iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and Apple TV.
Xbox and PlayStation game controllers. tvOS 13 adds support for most popular game controllers in the world, Xbox One S and PlayStation DualShock 4, making it even easier for gamers to take advantage of Apple Arcade and other great games on the App Store.1
New screen savers. Apple is expanding the stunning collection of 4K HDR screen savers available on Apple TV 4K by taking viewers under the sea. Filmed in collaboration with the BBC Natural History Unit, the team behind Blue Planet, these immersive videos captured from the depths of oceans around the world.