Tag: Apple TV

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tvOS 18.4 and watchOS 11.4 RC available with new emojis

Apple is nearing the end of its upcoming operating systems beta testing, including watchOS 11.4 and tvOS 18.4. At this moment, only one main feature—seven new emojis—has been confirmed for watchOS 11.4 RC. Besides that, we expect a few tweaks for Apple Watch and Apple TV users with tvOS 18.4 RC.

As mentioned above, watchOS 11.4 RC added new emojis. Back in May, Unicode previewed seven new emojis, including a face with bags under the eyes, a fingerprint, a leafless tree, a root vegetable, a harp, a shovel, and splatter.

With watchOS 10.4, Apple added the following figures: Mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain, and shaking heads. In addition, 18 people and body emojis were added, with the option to face them in either direction. With that update, Apple also added Siri improvements, which we could see again. Since Apple Intelligence is unavailable for Apple Watch users, it shouldn’t stop the company from improving its personal assistant on the watch.

For tvOS 18.4, there are two main features we are still waiting for:

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  • New screensavers: Besides Snoopy screensavers, Apple promised another option for its Shows and Movies. During tvOS 18.2 beta testing, MacRumors found references to two other screensavers, but they have been removed on the following tvOS 18.3 beta; it’s unclear if Apple will bring new screensavers or if it’s already saving them for tvOS 19;
  • Robot vacuum support: While it was rumored to arrive later last year, Apple postponed this feature. It’s possible that tvOS 18.4 finally adds it.

Besides those features, watchOS 11.4 and tvOS 18.4 RC seem light on features. We also don’t know any rumors about the company’s focus on watchOS 12 and tvOS 19, even though there are reports that Apple plans to revamp its smart home offering with an Amazon Echo Show-like device, a doorbell ring with Face ID, and more.

Alongside watchOS 11.4 and tvOS 18.4 rc, Apple also seeded the release candidate versions of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, and visionOS 2.4.

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It sure looks like Apple is getting ready to release a HomePod with a display

Another rumor suggests Apple’s long-rumored HomePod with a display is launching in 2025. This time, a paywalled report by DigiTimes (via MacRumors) says Tianma Microelectronics will supply the gadget’s 7-inch LCD panel. Taiwan’s Radiant will reportedly handle backlight module production, and BYD will assemble the device.

Rumors about this HomePod with a screen have been floating on the web for years now, especially with conflicting reports about Apple’s upcoming home robot.

Last year, tvOS 17.4 hinted at this device, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said Apple was planning to combine the Apple TV, FaceTime, and HomePod in one system. The journalist said Cupertino also wanted to create a “HomePod with a screen that swivels like a robotic arm.” This HomePod with an iPad-like display could be released as soon as 2026.

In 2023, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple was readying a HomePod with a screen for the first half of 2024. While he eventually reframed his prediction to 2025, he believed it could feature a 7-inch display with Tianma manufacturing it. “The HomePod, which equips a panel, could enable tighter integration with Apple’s other hardware products, marking a significant shift in the company’s smart home strategy.”

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Rumors say Apple has been working on several HomePod variants with screens. Two of them are a tabletop device with a robotic arm, and the other is an iPad-like product with a speaker combo and a built-in camera, something like an Amazon Echo Show.

In addition, a HomePod 3 is expected to be released as Apple’s smart home hub. Although reports suggest Apple Intelligence could play a big role in a smart speaker/display device, adding a better A17 Pro or M chip could greatly increase the price of a device most people aren’t willing to buy.

It seems that this product could be revealed in the third quarter of 2025, after the WWDC 2025 keynote. As always, BGR will monitor rumors and reports about this smart speaker and let you know if we learn more.

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Next-gen HomePod and Apple TV could become AirPort update we’ve been waiting for

A couple of weeks ago, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reported that upcoming Apple TV and HomePod mini devices are coming in 2025 with a bigger new feature: Apple’s custom-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. According to the report, the codenamed Proxima chip will be available with the new Apple TV, HomePod mini, and iPhone 17 models, and a new iteration of this processor will be available on iPad and Mac devices in 2026. He says the custom-designed chip will support Wi-Fi 6E and help “synchronize data more quickly.”

This change could benefit Apple’s creation of thinner devices and new wearable technology, as ultimately, the company wants to integrate the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip with a cellular modem and the core processor on its devices.

However, this custom Wi-Fi chip could provide even greater news for those waiting for a new AirPort iteration – which is not in the works.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman gives another tidbit about this future Proxima Wi-Fi chip, which is “so sophisticated that it could theoretically turn a home device like an Apple TV box or HomePod with a wireless access point.”

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While the journalist doesn’t believe this will be a “main selling point of the devices,” they could add this feature. Users could improve the range of their Wi-Fi through these wireless access points.

However, it’s important to note that while Apple’s custom Wi-Fi chip could theoretically turn a home device with a WAP, it’s possible that Cupertino never turns this feature on. With the HomePod mini, the company took a long time to add smoke detection and in-house weather, even though the capabilities were inside the device since day one.

The future Apple TV is expected to feature Apple’s A18 chip and this new Wi-Fi chip. It’s unclear what improvements Cupertino is working on in the future HomePod mini, even though a more powerful sound with more noticeable bass would be a great addition.

BGR will let you know once we learn more about these devices.

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tvOS 18.2 beta 3 now available with Snoopy screen savers

Apple just released tvOS 18.2 beta 3. After a tame tvOS 18.1 update, this new version is finally adding some of the delayed features announced at WWDC 2024.

For example, tvOS 18.2 beta 3 now supports the new 21:9 aspect ratio, which is perfect for Apple TVs connected to projectors. The company has also added a few other options, such as 2.37:1, 2.39:1, 2.40:1, DCI 4K, and 32:9. They are available under Apple TV’s Audio and Video settings.

Besides that, Apple finally added the Snoopy screen savers to tvOS. References about this feature coming with tvOS 18.2 were already spotted by MacRumors a few weeks ago. According to the publication, Apple is working on four categories of screen savers, including Snoopy, TV and Movies, Music, and Soundscapes.

tvOS 18 best featureImage source: Apple Inc.

While MacRumors got an early look at some of those screensavers, Apple said we’ll see the Snoopy and TV and Movies screen savers “later this year.” The Music and Soundscapes options are new and will likely be added alongside the previously announced options.

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Finally, another feature that might soon be available with tvOS 18.2 beta is robot vacuum cleaner integration with the Home app. It’s unclear which robot vacuums will support this feature, even though Apple says this feature is still coming in 2024.

Apple is expected to release tvOS 18.2 by early December; this means the beta testing of the upcoming software update won’t last for very long, and we should have around three new builds before the official version is out.

After many tvOS 18 features have made their debut, I can’t wait for my Apple TV to get support for these other new capabilities. The new screen savers will make a nice addition, while the 21:9 aspect ratio will be perfect for using XGIMI’s new Horizon S Max projector, which was recently reviewed by BGR.

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