Sigmund Judge, tvOS expert, joins Federico and John to discuss the changes and issues with tvOS 17, including problems with the TV app, Siri data limitations, and enhancements in Control Center. They also explore new features like FaceTime and continuity camera. Check out the review for all the exciting updates!
TVOS 17 has expanded beyond media playback to include social and conferencing capabilities, hinting at the potential for a versatile computer-like device.
The TV app in TVOS 17 has technical issues handling large collections of content and its notifications and recommendations don't consider users' existing purchases.
Deep dives
TVOS 17 is a pivotal moment in the platform's direction
TVOS 17 marks a significant change in direction for TVOS, especially with the increasing competition in the streaming industry. With the introduction of FaceTime and continuity camera, the platform has expanded beyond just playing movies and TV shows. It now offers conferencing and social capabilities. The addition of these features teases the potential for TVOS to be even more than just a confident platform for media playback. With further development, it could become a versatile computer-like device, capable of tasks like content creation and basic editing.
Issues with TV app and large collections of TV shows and movies
The TV app has had technical and performance issues when handling large collections of TV shows and movies. Many users, including the reviewer, have encountered difficulties in loading their libraries, with reports of thousands of titles being affected. Although some improvements have been made, the issues persist and also extend to iOS devices. The TV app's foundation, built on the legacy of iTunes, may be a contributing factor to these problems. Additionally, the app's notifications and recommendations don't always consider users' existing purchases, leading to situations where users are prompted to buy or subscribe to content they already own.
Control Center enhances usability and expands functionality
The introduction of Control Center in TVOS 17 addresses the need for a centralized hub to manage the various connected devices and features of Apple TV. While initially appearing busy, the Control Center offers an intuitive interface that adapts based on the connected devices and the user's context. It provides quick access to network settings, game controller configurations, timer functionalities, and accessibility options, all neatly displayed in a visually pleasing layout. The addition of Do Not Disturb and conversation awareness for AirPods further enhances the user experience, allowing for uninterrupted watching and easy communication while using the Apple TV.
This week, Federico and John are joined by tvOS expert Sigmund Judge, who just finished writing his tvOS 17 review for MacStories, to understand what has changed in tvOS and where it might be heading.
This episode is sponsored by:
TV Forecast – Track, Explore and Discover Your Favorite Shows and Movies