Apple has finally released this year’s tvOS update, and it’s introducing a fair bunch of new features, including a new Podcasts application that supports video podcasts, Thread 1.4 support, new features for Apple Music and Hi-Res Lossless support as well.
Perhaps the biggest news, though, is that Apple tvOS 27 is not going to be rolled out to some of the company’s older TV devices. It’s only being made available to the Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) and Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) boxes, so if your specific Apple TV is an older model, you’re out of luck.
It’s notable that tvOS 27 is a smaller release compared to what we saw in previous years, and there is speculation that this could be Apple has a new, 4th Gen device in the works, although the secretive nature of the company means this cannot be confirmed. But an Apple TV 4K (4th Gen) has been rumoured for a while. In fact, it was thought that Apple may even release a new device to coincide with the launch of tvOS 27, but that hasn’t happened.
Pundits still have a lot of reason to believe a new box is on the way because it’s believed that newer, more powerful hardware will be required for Siri AI and Apple Intelligence, which are both missing from tvOS 27, despite rumours that they would be present. The most recent Apple TV (3rd Gen) is powered by the A15 Bionic chipset, which is now five years old.
If Apple does release a new Apple TV 4K, it will likely ship without Siri AI and Apple Intelligence, but it would probably acquire those capabilities later, through a firmware update, or perhaps we may have to wait until next year.
So what is in tvOS 27? Well, according to Geeky Gadgets, there are performance improvements, for one thing. Apple said users will see apps launch up to 30% faster than before, as well as a more responsive Control Center. Apple AirPlay connections should be noticeably faster too, the company said.
As far as actual new features go, the most important updates are found in Apple Podcasts and Apple Music. Both apps have been given additional capabilities, with Apple Podcasts getting support for video podcasts as well as the usual audio options. Meanwhile, Apple Music gains Hi-Res Lossless 24-bit/192kHz audio, as well as Crossfade and AutoMix. Users should also notice faster playback of music tracks.
Smart home lovers will likely appreciate the Thread 1.4 update in the Apple Home app, which means that Thread border routers now appear as a single network. Meanwhile, Apple Home cameras get support for 4K resolution, and HomeKit Secure Video now processes everything on the Apple TV 4K device, rather than in the cloud, so expect lower latency there.
Other minor additions include the ability to update Apple TV devices from the Home app on iPhones and iPads, smart downloads from Apple TV via iPhone and iPad, reduced app sizes with localized language app packages and enhanced game controller settings, Apple said.
