On the occasion of its WWDC 2023, Apple announced several new software products dedicated to its Apple TV 4K. Among them, support for FaceTime video calls thanks to a tool you probably have in your pocket: your iPhone.
Apple held its WWDC 2023 yesterday. And if the presentation of the Apple Vision Pro has tended to overshadow many software announcements, the support for FaceTime calls by the Apple TV 4K deserves some attention. It will indeed work without you needing anything other than your iPhone… like a “Continuity” feature deployed on macOS Ventura last year.
When “Continuity” comes to Apple TV 4K
But let’s start at the beginning, and mention that this novelty will arrive at the same time as tvOS 17, expected later this year, probably during the fall. So there’s no need to look for it on your Apple TV 4K right now: unless you’re a beta tester, you won’t have access to it.
This support for FaceTime by the latest Apple TVs will allow you to launch a call from the future FaceTime application of Apple TV, or on the contrary to launch the call from your iPhone or iPad, to transfer it afterwards on the Apple TV. A choice. The only constraint: having an iPhone or iPad on hand (even if Apple does not yet specify at this stage which models will be compatible).
Your iPhone (or your iPad) will then use its rear camera (or one of its rear cameras) and its microphones to support your part of the exchange, while your correspondents will be displayed large on your television. Apple further clarifies that the feature Center Stage will also be relevant to automatically frame call participants. A very relevant addition if someone appears on the screen along the way, for example.
Finally, we learn that a new reaction system based on hand tracking is also planned; it will allow them to be used (hopefully quite naturally) to generate on-screen effects, like hearts or fireworks, for example.
When tvOS 17 relies on usability
Apple also announced the arrival of Split View for Apple TV. This function allows for its part to divide the screen in two to watch a series or a movie with your loved ones through a SharePlay session, while participating in a FaceTime call with these same loved ones. Note that during FaceTime exchanges on Apple TV, it will still be possible to take the iPhone or iPad back in hand to switch the call in progress back to it.
Apple further explains that other video conferencing applications, such as Cisco Webex and Zoom, will be added later to tvOS for use on the Apple TV 4K. We also learn that the API allowing the “Continuity” function to work on Apple TV is already provided to third-party developers so that they can make good use of it on other tvOS applications as needed.
Apple is finally betting on the Continuity Camera to add a dose of fun to Apple Music Sing, a function of Apple Music acting as karaoke, deployed at the end of last year. With Continuity, it will indeed be possible to see yourself singing on the screen and to add fun filters.
A whole slew of “secondary” features
The arrival of this “Continuity” function on the Apple TV 4K is not the only novelty that deserves a look on tvOS 17. Yesterday, Apple announced for example that tvOS 17 would benefit from a brand new Control Center ( accessible by pressing and holding the Menu key), much more complete. Organized by tabs, this new menu will soon display “ system status, including time and profile in use, as well as useful information about user activity “, We read on the summary press release from Apple.
At the same time, the firm is talking about a very practical novelty allowing you to locate a Siri Remote (second generation or more recent) using an iPhone and from the iOS remote control application. The localization will then be done with an interface similar to that displayed to find an AirTag, precise distances and less direction arrows.
We also learn that with the deployment of tvOS 17, the remote control on iPhone will also automatically open the user profile ” to access their current series and personalized recommendations “.
As for tvOS screensavers, they will soon move into another, more personal dimension, offering the possibility of displaying memory slideshows composed from your personal photo library or your shared photos. And for those who prefer traditional screensavers with aerial shots, Apple announces the arrival of new panoramas (Monument Valley in Arizona and the redwoods of California, in particular).
For the rest, we learn that tvOS 17 will also benefit from a function to improve the audio quality of dialogues in broadcast content, but also that support for the Dolby Vision 8.1 standard is on track for Apple TV. 4K. New features related to third-party VPNs and Apple Fitness+ programs are also discussed, you will find all the details at this address.
Sources: GSMArena / Apple
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