For owners of Apple TV set-top boxes that support the newest versions of the operating system, the company has just unveiled new software to look forward to.
Apple, during the keynote speech to start this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, unveiled tvOS 12 to those watching. The company started talking about the Apple TV 4K, and how iTunes supports content for the new set-top box. The company did announce that the Apple TV 4K will support Dolby Atmos for more robust sound quality.
All supported titles that offer Dolby Atmos will be upgraded for free, too, just like Apple upgraded supported 4K HDR content for existing HD content.
Apple talked about traditional cable companies supporting apps, and the Apple TV. Apple says it is working with companies around the world, including in France with Canal+. In Switzerland Apple is working with Salt. In the United States, Charter Spectrum will be a bundled option for customers, which means up to 50 million customers can adopt the Apple TV for their streaming set-top box option.
Authentication is a big deal, and Apple wants to make it easier. Single Sign-On made that easier last year, but now the company is introducing “Zero Sign-On”. Now, if you are on your TV provider’s broadband network, the supported apps and channels will automatically populate without actually logging into anything. Charter Spectrum will be the first to support this feature, with more providers coming down the line eventually.
The Apple TV remote will automatically be added to Control Center if you have an Apple TV in the home, which means accessing controls can be easier and faster.
The company talked about Aerials, too, which is the background shown as a wallpaper. The company is adding the ability to see where the images were shot just by tapping the physical remote. Users can even swipe between locations if they want. Apple also introduces new Aerials of the planet earth itself. It was filmed by astronauts on the International Space Station. It includes night time shots of the planet.