Apple has made its much-awaited software announcements today at the WWDC 2016 keynote, it has detailed the next major tvOS update for Apple TV which brings several new features to the set-top box aside from the ability to stream live TV channels. Features include Single Sign-On and YouTube search, among others.
The company started off with a new Remote app for iOS devices that can be used to control the Apple TV. It’s a powerful new app that brings over features from the Apple TV’s Siri remote. It supports touch gestures, Siri integration, as well as a keyboard for easier typing. The company hasn’t revealed when this new app will be released.
It then moved on to Single Sign-On, a new feature that eliminates a major pain point for Apple TV users. The feature only requires users to add their login credentials once instead of having to do it again and again. Single Sign-On will enable users to access content from major apps like ESPN, HBO, NBC, and others without having to log in again.
Live-Tune In is also a new feature that’s included in the latest tvOS update. It will allow users to open programming streams from select networks like ESPN by simply asking Siri to put them on. Over-the-top live TV streaming service Sling TV has also gone live on the Apple TV starting today.
Additional features include a dark mode for tvOS, as well as the automatic download of apps between tvOS and iOS, which means that if you download an app on iPhone that has a TV version it will automatically be downloaded on the Apple TV.
The new tvOS update is out in developer preview today, a full release will take place over the next couple of months.
Filed in . Read more about Apple TV, tvOS, Wwdc and Wwdc 2016.