Apple Launches tvOS 26 Update for Supported Devices
Apple has officially commenced the rollout of the much-anticipated tvOS 26, which is now available for compatible devices. This update coincides with the latest operating systems for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro. Announced earlier this year at the WWDC developer conference, the release date for tvOS 26 was confirmed just last week.
Introducing a New Aesthetic: Liquid Glass
One of the standout features of tvOS 26 is its innovative design language, known as Liquid Glass. According to Apple, this new aesthetic offers “a vibrant look to Apple TV, delivering a fresh and expressive design that beautifully reflects and refracts its surroundings using real-time rendering.” This marks Apple’s most significant visual redesign in recent years, which will subsequently be adopted across other platforms.
Content-Centric Design Enhancements
In line with the company’s commitment to user experience, Apple has prioritized content in the new interface. Users will notice this emphasis while activities such as fast-forwarding, rewinding, adjusting audio, or even setting the “Movie night”scene through the Control Center. The updated Apple TV app features redesigned poster art inspired by the Liquid Glass visual theme.
Enhanced User Features and Functionality
tvOS 26 has also improved the profile-switching experience. Upon waking the device, user profiles are automatically displayed, allowing quick access to your TV app watchlist or playlists in Apple Music. Additionally, you can now host karaoke sessions using your iPhone as a handheld microphone. The new ‘Sing in Apple Music’ feature can translate lyrics and assist users in pronouncing challenging words.
FaceTime Enhancements
FaceTime has received notable enhancements as well. It now includes Contact Posters borrowed from iOS, enabling the addition of personalized photos and names during calls. Moreover, Apple TV employs on-device processing to display Live Captions during FaceTime calls, expanding language support significantly.
Integration with AirPlay and Aerial Screensavers
With this update, users can establish any AirPlay-enabled speaker as the default audio output for their Apple TV, enhancing the viewing experience. The introduction of new aerial screensavers adds an extra layer of visual appeal to the interface.
Installation and Device Compatibility
For those interested in experiencing the new features, the stable version of tvOS 26 can be downloaded by navigating to Settings > System > Software Updates and selecting Update Software. It’s essential to note that tvOS 26 supports various devices, including Apple TV HD and all generations of Apple TV 4K released in 2017, 2021, and 2022. However, certain features, like Liquid Glass and the karaoke mode, are exclusive to the latest models.
Accompanying Updates for All Apple Devices
This significant update for Apple TV is being launched alongside other versions, including iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe, and visionOS 26, which can also be downloaded on respective Apple devices.
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