Apple TV 4

tvOS 10 preview: 4 new Siri features on Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 3, 2017

Aside from Single Sign-On for pay-TV apps and other new features and enhancements, tvOS 10 brings expanded Siri capabilities to the fourth-generation Apple TV, including searching across even more apps, YouTube search, topic search and tuning right into live channels.

Both existing and new Siri features will be available in four new new countries when tvOS 10 launches this fall. Here's our detailed preview along with a video hands-on of the above Siri features coming to your big screen via tvOS 10.

tvOS 10 beta 2 now available for developer testing

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 3, 2017

In addition to releasing a second beta of iOS 10 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, Apple today issued a second beta of the tvOS 10 operating system powering the fourth-generation Apple TV. tvOS 10 beta 2 (build number “14T5284d”) is available on the fourth-generation Apple TVs that run a prior beta as an over-the-air download in Settings → System → Software Updates → Update Software.

tvOS 10 preview: all-new Remote app with Siri voice control, tilt gaming & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 11, 2018

A software replacement for the physical remote that came in the box with your fourth-generation Apple TV, Apple's entirely overhauled Remote application provides you with the full range of Siri Remote features complete with touch navigation, tilt-based control in games and voice input via Siri.

And in making tedious text entry on tvOS even easier than before, the new app lets you summon the keyboard right from the Lock screen of your iPhone by pressing a notification that automatically gets pushed every time you select a text field on the Apple TV.

BitTorrent’s new media-streaming app for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV is arriving soon

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 24, 2016

BitTorrent yesterday announced it'll be releasing a brand new application in the near future. Called Now, the software will let users stream videos and music from independent artists and studios to their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple TV.

tvOS 10 tidbit: download prompt for companion apps for your Bluetooth accessories

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 22, 2016

In addition to helping you manage your HomeKit accessories remotely through the fourth-generation Apple TV, tvOS 10 beta also packs in expanded support for a wider variety of Bluetooth accessories. It's interesting that after connecting an accessory to the Apple TV, tvOS 10 puts up a prompt offering a user to download a companion App Store app.

The same hardware accessories download prompt first appeared on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch following the iOS 3 software update back in September 2009, but this is the first time we've seen it implemented on tvOS.

Apple TV’s universal search expands to nine new video channels

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 21, 2016

After adding support for video content from Bravo, E!, Syfy and USA channels ten days ago, tvOS's universal search feature was refreshed earlier today with official support for nine additional channels. The full up-to-date list of universal search providers can be found in Apple's support document.

Apple TV games are no longer required to support Siri Remote

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 14, 2016

Apple has dropped the requirement for tvOS games to use the Siri Remote, according to a refreshed version of the official Game Controller Programming Guide. With this change in place, games for the fourth-generation Apple TV are now permitted to require a 'Made for iOS' (MFi) controller without needing to also support the Siri Remote.

tvOS 10 releasing this fall

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 13, 2016

Today is a big day for Apple fans from around the world as the Cupertino firm telegraphed some interesting changes coming to its software platforms, among them tvOS, the operating system that powers the fourth-generation Apple TV. tvOS 10 is available now as a developer-only preview and everyone else will be permitted to install it on their set-top box this coming fall, said Apple.

tvOS 10 announced with dark mode, Single Sign-On, universal search improvements and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 3, 2017

In addition to iOS 10 and watch OS 3, Apple also unveiled tvOS 10 with an all-new Remote app during the WWDC 2016 keynote at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. Here are some of the things you're going to like in tvOS 10.

Apple TV universal search adds support for content from Bravo, E!, Syfy and USA channels

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 10, 2016

Two weeks after NBCUniversal’s Bravo, Syfy and E! apps launched on the fourth-generation Apple TV, content from these channels is now available through the device's universal search feature.

In addition, the Apple TV now also surfaces videos from the USA channel when using tvOS's text or Siri voice search, said MacRumors.

How to control Apple TV from your iPhone’s Lock screen with CiderTV widget

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

CiderTV, a software-based alternative for your Apple TV Remote, includes a built-in keyboard and has the ability to control linked Smart TV volume. As of recently, the app comes with a handy widget that makes it possible to control most of the functions of your Apple TV right from the Notification Center. It will save you a lot of time, here's how to get started with CiderTV and set up the widget.

Get ready for WWDC 2016 with official Apple TV app

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 3, 2016

Just ahead of WWDC 2016, which kicks of with a keynote presentation on Monday, June 13, at 10am, Apple issues a timely refresh to its official WWDC app for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

The refreshed app has an all-new dark interface and now runs on the fourth-generation Apple TV so you can watch WWDC action from the comfort of your couch.