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![]() Screenshot of TVOS
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Developer | Apple Inc. |
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Written in | C, C++, Swift (programming language), and Objective-C |
OS family | Unix, BSD |
Working state | Current |
Source model | Closed Source (with Open Source components) |
Released to manufacturing |
October 30, 2015 |
Latest release | 9.1.1 (13U717) / January 25, 2016 |
Latest preview | 9.2 Beta 5 (13Y5220c) / March 1, 2016 |
Marketing target | Television, casual gaming |
Available in | Multilingual |
Update method | Over-the-air, TVOS Software Update |
Platforms | Apple TV (4th generation only) |
Kernel type | Hybrid (XNU) |
Preceded by | Apple TV Software 7 (Based on iOS 8) |
Official website | developer |
Support status | |
Supported |
TVOS (stylized by Apple Inc. as tvOS) is an operating system developed by Apple Inc. for their fourth generation Apple TV digital media player (which is currently the only device that runs TVOS). TVOS was announced on September 9, 2015 at the Apple September 2015 event, alongside the 4th generation Apple TV.[1] On October 26, 2015, 4th generation Apple TV pre-orders began, and shipments began the following week.[2] TVOS is available in a beta form. There is only a developer beta though, unlike Apple Inc.'s other operating systems with a developer beta and a public beta. At the Apple September 2015 Event, Hipster Whale's Andy Sum demoed Crossy Road[3] for the Apple TV, available via the TVOS App Store. Apple, Inc. also announced that other apps (such as Netflix and HBO Now) would be coming to the Apple TV running TVOS.
TVOS is based on iOS heavily rather than just the stripped-down versions of iOS that the operating systems for the 2nd and 3rd generation Apple TV are. The 4th generation Apple TV, with support for third-party software via an App Store, was rumored prior to the Apple September 2015 Event held on September 9, 2015.[4][5]
Contents
History
On October 30, 2015, the 4th generation Apple TV became available, and shipped with TVOS 9.0. On November 9, 2015, TVOS 9.0.1 was released, primarily an update to address minor issues.
TVOS 9.1 was released on December 8, 2015 along with OS X 10.11.2, iOS 9.2, and watchOS 2.1.[6] Along with these updates, Apple also updated the Remote apps on iOS and watchOS, allowing for basic remote functionality for the 4th generation Apple TV (previously, said app only worked with past versions of Apple TV).[7]
On November 25, 2015, Facebook debuted their SDK for TVOS, allowing applications to log in to Facebook, share to Facebook, and use Facebook Analytics in the same way that iOS applications can.[8]
On December 2, 2015, Twitter debuted their login authentication service for TVOS - "Digits" - allowing users to log in to apps and services with a simple, unique code available online.[9]
Features
TVOS 9 shipped with many new features on the fourth generation Apple TV. One of the major features was the ability to move through the interface with the new touchpad remote using multi-touch gestures. Also, it introduced an all new App Store in which users can download and install new applications (such as apps and games) made available from developers that develop applications for the Apple TV and TVOS. TVOS 9 adds support for Siri which lets users do a multitude of things such as a cross-application search for a movie/TV show, rewind, fast forward, name and actor/director of the current movie, and even skip back 15 seconds. TVOS also added support for an application switcher on the Apple TV, more application customization options, cinematic screensavers, and control the TV using the included Siri Remote with the built-in support for HDMI-CEC in TVOS. In addition, TVOS allows the user to control the Apple TV in many different ways. These include using the included Siri Remote, pairing a third-party universal remote, pairing an MFI Gamepad to control games, using the Remote app on iOS, and pairing a Bluetooth Keyboard to aid in the typing experience of the user.
Development
TVOS ships with all new development tools for developers. TVOS adds support for an all new SDK for developers to build apps for the TV including all of the APIs included in iOS 9 such as Metal. It also adds an App Store which allows users to browse, download, and install a wide variety of applications. In addition, developers can now use their own interface inside of their application rather than only being able to use Apple's interface. Since TVOS is based on iOS, it is easy to port existing iOS apps to the Apple TV with Xcode while making only a few refinements to the app to better suit the larger screen. Apple provides Xcode free of charge to all registered Apple developers. To develop for the new Apple TV, it is necessary to make a parallax image for the application icon. In order to do this, Apple provides a Parallax exporter and previewer in the development tools for the Apple TV.
Version history: Apple TV (4th generation) onwards
Legend: Obsolete Current Beta
Table of versions: TVOS 9.0 – Apple TV (4th generation) only | ||||
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TVOS version | iOS version based on | Build | Release date | Features |
9.0 |
9.0 | 13T396 | October 29, 2015 |
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9.0.1 |
9.1 | 13T402 | November 9, 2015 |
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9.1 |
9.2 | 13U85 | December 8, 2015 |
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9.1.1 |
9.2.1 | 13U717 | January 25, 2016 |
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9.2 Beta 5 |
9.3 Beta 5 | 13Y5220c | March 1, 2016 |
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References
- ^ Welch, Chris. "New Apple TV announced with Siri and App Store, coming in October for $149". The Verge. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
- ^ "Apple TV: Everything We Know". MacRumors. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
- ^ "Apple September 2015 Event". Apple. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
- ^ "Apple New Apple TV to Start at $149". MacRumors. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
- ^ Gurman, Mark (August 30, 2015). "Apple TV 4 coming in October for under $200, Apple TV 3 stays & gets new streaming service".
- ^ "Mega-Apple update day brings upgrades to OS X, iOS, WatchOS, and tvOS". Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ "Your new Apple TV finally works with the Remote app". Engadget. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
- ^ "Facebook Announces tvOS SDK With Login Support". Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ "Introducing Digits for tvOS". Digits Blog. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
- ^ "tvOS for Developers - Apple Developer". developer.apple.com. Retrieved 2016-02-28.
- ^ "Use Siri on your Apple TV (4th generation) - Apple Support". support.apple.com. Retrieved 2016-02-28.
- ^ Mayo, Benjamin. "Watch the new Apple TV’s beautiful HD aerial screensavers ahead of release later this month". 9to5Mac. Retrieved 2016-02-28.
- ^ "Apple releases tvOS 9.1.1 software update with Podcasts app for the new Apple TV". 9to5mac.com. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
External links
- Apple TV – official site for Apple TV
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