tvOS 9.2 beta 4 for the fourth-generation Apple TV is now available as an over-the-air software update for registered developers testing the pre-release version. Apple TV gains several new abilities with the upcoming release including iOS-style app folders, a redesigned app switcher user interface, voice dictation input for search and username/password entry, complete iCloud Photo Library support, and much more. We’ll check out the latest beta version of the upcoming release and highlight any changes below.
Other features include the ability to use Bluetooth keyboards with the Apple TV for text input and navigation, which was a feature introduced on older Apple TVs but absent from the new model when it shipped. Siri gains the ability to search the App Store for specific apps, and the Apple TV regains the conference room mode feature as well.
Check out our hands-on video with the initial tvOS 9.2 beta below:
Let us know in the comments, via email at tips at 9to5mac dot com, or on Twitter @9to5Mac if you spot any changes in the new beta, and we’ll update with changes we find as well.
Here’s what’s new:
- Via release notes: New improvements in tvOS 9.2 Beta 4 include: – Updated Apple TV Remote firmware
- “What’s New” section (currently inactive)
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Still no Apple Music support it seems. These OS improvements can’t come soon enough. I recently read a review in What HiFi magazine comparing this latest TV with the Amazon Fire TV set-top box and the latter trounced the Apple on almost every aspect with a 5 star rating compared to Apple’s 3 stars, despite it being nearly half the price. Even the lauded Apple remote for the 4th gen device was deemed inaccurate and annoying to use over the long haul compared to Amazon’s more conventional one, which really surprised me! Its not that this mag has a bone to pick with Apple (like some maybe?) they love Apple’s iPad’s, iPhone’s and MacBooks. They just really don’t like the TV! And to be honest I can understand why, its really not up to Apple’s usual high standards.
Whatchu talking about Willis?
Seriously though, I’ve been using Apple Music on my Apple TV for quite some time. Not sure what part of “support” you are expecting…
Love my Apple TV – best and most exciting apple purchase for sometime. Also loving Apple Music on it, in the current live OS – works brilliantly, remote is just fine and the whole experience is a massive improvement from previous generations. I see lots of criticism from people who don’t own one and are misinformed about what it can and can’t do. Initial set up was fiddly. But after that first thirty minutes point – click – do. Couldn’t be any simpler.
I have actually been really disappointed in the Apple TV remote, for the 4th gen. The features of the remote are great, but it is not forgiving, at all. It’s very easy to grab the wrong end, reach for something and skim your hand across the trackpad, and completely screw up playback. Apple does have a reference point, while scrubbing, so that you can return to where you were in playback, but it’s also far too easy to accidentally click down on the trackpad to solidify your mistake. Or if you happen to press one of the buttons (even the volume rocker), it automatically switches the input. Another issue is its diminutive size (as it always has been). Before (with 2nd/3rd gen), I would just set up my DirecTV universal remote to control my ATV, but with most of the ATV remote features not working very well on my DTV universal remote (and there’s no universal option at all on those newer, smaller ones), it requires that I have to contend with having this remote out and about, in my living room. Having a two-year old only amplifies these issues. It is now in the “extremely annoying” category.
I’m actually hoping that the “Updated Apple TV Remote firmware” bit addresses the issues I’ve listed.
I think you must be talking about the 3rd generation Apple TV. The new Apple TV has full support for Apple Music.
You can pause video with the play/pause button on the remote but you can’t unpause. You need to click the touchpad to resume. I hope they fix that because it boggles my mind.
Funny I use that button all the time. Both to pause and unpause as you put it. Just tested again sitting here with a movie in Netflix. Works fine.
I’ve outed myself as a Plex user! It’s the only video app that I use. Must be a bug. As you were.
Sir have a blessed day i get the best information sir how can I get my tv thsns sir