tvOS 18, AirPods and Apple Home: More entertainment and functions
While the Apple handsets now respond to head movements, tvOS ensures greater intelligibility. The Home app is also learning new functions.
(Image: Neue Funktionen in tvOS 18)
In addition to the AirPods headphones, Apple also includes the Apple TV, the HomePod and Apple's HomePod speakers under the Audio and Home division. With the updates to tvOS 18, the company announced a number of new features for the devices at WWDC 2024.
AirPods: shake or nod
Siri requests can now also be answered voicelessly with the AirPods. Instead of answering "yes" to a Siri question, users can now nod their head. Conversely, the AirPods interpret a shake of the head as a "no". According to Apple, this function is intended for places where it is not possible to speak out loud.
The AirPods Pro should transmit voices clearly with the "Voice Isolation" function, but block out ambient noise. In Game Mode, the AirPods Pro can now support personalized spatial audio.
tvOS: More information with Insight
With the InSight function, tvOS displays information in series and films that matches the scene. For example, users can find out which actors are currently on screen or what music is playing in the background. tvOS can now also use AI to make voices easier to understand with the "Enhance Dialogue" function. The feature should not only work on the Apple HomePod speakers, but also on built-in TV speakers, AirPods and other Bluetooth devices or speakers connected via HDMI.
Subtitles will now automatically appear in tvOS 18 at the right moments, for example when the language of a movie or series differs from the device language or when users switch to silent or rewind. In the USA and Canada, the Apple TV also displays subtitles when users make video calls on the TV via their iPhone's integrated camera.
tvOS 18 now supports the ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio, which, with the right projector and corresponding film material, should create a special cinematic feeling.
The update also includes new screensavers such as portraits from the Photos media library. A special screensaver with Snoopy and Woodstock from Peanuts is also on board.
If you own a HomePod or HomePod mini, you can share control of music playback via SharePlay. Users can hold an iPhone to another iPhone or scan a QR code on another screen to control playback. According to Apple, guests who take part in such a SharePlay session do not need an Apple Music subscription.
Apple Home: guest access, robot vacuum and 3D AirPlay
Apple's smart home app Home is getting several new features. For example, guest access allows you to control door locks, garage doors and alarm systems. Access can be restricted to individual locks and, if desired, access can only be granted for certain periods of time. The Home Keys function also allows contactless unlocking, so that users can open the locks as soon as they are only 1.80 meters away from the door.
In the future, HomeKit users will be able to view their home's energy consumption in the Home app. Apple is entering into partnerships with energy suppliers for this, starting with the Pacific Gas & Electric Company in California. Whether and when this feature will come to Europe is unknown.
With the new systems, the Home app also supports robot vacuum cleaners, a device category that HomeKit users have wanted for years. Supported models can be added to automations and scenes, or activated by voice and Siri.
Apple's audio streaming protocol AirPlay will also support 3D audio with Dolby Atmos in future, provided you stream from an iOS device to the HomePod or another compatible speaker.
Developers can install the beta versions of tvOS 18 and iOS 18 from June 10. Apple plans to make public beta versions available from July. tvOS 18 and iOS 18 will be released in the fall.
(hze)
