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tvOS 17 brings some cool improvements — and FaceTime too!
UNLIKE MACOS, iOS and iPadOS, tvOS updates for the Apple TV streaming box tend to be stealthily incremental in nature, and are often not noticeable at all. This year’s update is different. For one, tvOS 17 brings FaceTime to Apple TV 4K (2nd or 3rd generation) by leveraging Continuity Camera on iPhone and iPad, with support coming for third–party apps such as Zoom and Webex by Cisco too. Plus, Apple Music Sing — which enables you to sing along to your favorite tracks in karaoke fashion — will also work with Continuity Camera too, meaning no–one need miss out on the fun… yikes! (Requires Apple TV 4K 3rd gen.)
Those of us who primarily use their Apple TVs for, y’know, actually watching movies and TV, will love the changes tvOS 17 brings — these include Enhance Dialogue, which leverages the power of HomePod to make it easier to understand those Hollywood mumblers. Plus, Dolby Vision 8.1 “brings a more cinematic movie experience,” according to Apple. Let’s look at some of the key changes.
HOW TO Discover what’s new in tvOS 17
1 Home Screen changes
Your Apple TV’s Home Screen now lets you see more apps at a glance. This should mean that you’ll need to do less scrolling with the Siri Remote or the remote on your iPhone to find apps hidden from view.
2 User Profile tweaks
The Home Screen now shows the time, a user profile icon and more, in the top–right corner. Long–pressing the TV button on the Siri Remote expands that to show the Control Center, which has been completely redesigned.
3 Control Center
More compact and iPhone–like than before, the new Control Center gives quick and easy access to key features such as Power Off and AirPlay. It may also contain a Home app shortcut for any smart devices you have connected.
4 Connect with AirPlay
To connect your Apple TV to one of your AirPlay devices, select the AirPlay button in Control Center to reveal a list of those available. Scroll up or down using the Siri Remote, then press the center button on the remote to select one.
5 Set a Sleep Timer
If you’re in the habit of nodding off while watching TV, you can change how long it’ll be before your Apple TV switches off. In Control Center, select the Sleep Timer, then choose one of the timed options from the drop–down menu.
6 Do Not Disturb
To avoid be
