Apple today announced tvOS 12, which will introduce support for Dolby Atmos surround sound technology in the Apple TV 4K. When the update appears later in the year, iTunes will automatically update compatible movies with Dolby Atmos support for free.
With the addition of Dolby Atmos, Apple said that this makes the Apple TV 4K the only streaming box with support for both 4K and Atmos. Additionally, iTunes will become the "home to the largest collection of Dolby Atmos-supported movies anywhere" after the update.
Apple also reiterated the Apple TV as a game-changer for the television market, announcing that cable company Charter Communications will begin offering the Apple TV 4K to its customers this year (in a similar vein to promotions from DirecTV Now). Secondly, customers will have access to live channels and thousands of on-demand programs through a new Spectrum TV app on tvOS and iOS.
Apple is upgrading Single sign-on for Apple TV and iOS with "zero sign-on," wherein the Apple TV detects the user's broadband network and automatically signs them in to "all the supported apps they receive through their subscription - no typing required." Zero sign-on support will launch with Charter in 2018 and roll out to other providers "over time."
The company is also upgrading Aerial screensavers in tvOS 12 with new Earth footage captured in collaboration with the International Space Station National Lab and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space. The screensavers have been taken by NASA astronauts and filmed in 4K HDR, and all Apple TV Aerial screensavers will now be more interactive with location information and swipe-to-change features through the Siri Remote.
A few other tvOS 12 updates include:
- With iOS 12, users can securely AutoFill passwords from iPhone and iPad to Apple TV to easily sign in to Apple TV apps. - The Apple TV Remote will be automatically added to Control Center on iPhone or iPad for Apple TV users, giving users quick access to Apple TV controls. - Home control systems like Control4, Crestron and Savant can be used to control Apple TV, including using Siri for voice search and control.
tvOS 12 will launch for all users as a free software update for the 4th generation Apple TV and Apple TV 4K in fall 2018.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has high expectations for Apple's first foldable iPhone.
In his Power On newsletter today, he said the foldable iPhone will be "the most significant overhaul in the iPhone's history."
"iPhone 4, iPhone 6 and iPhone X were clearly a big deal, but this is a whole new design," he said.
Like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7, the foldable iPhone will reportedly open up like ...
iOS 26.5 is now available for developers, and while it doesn't include any new Siri capabilities, there are some major changes for the European Union, and smaller tweaks for features available worldwide.
Suggested Places
In the Maps app, there's a new "Suggested Places" feature that recommends locations to visit based on trending places nearby and recent searches. When Apple launches ads in ...
Apple has been celebrating its upcoming 50th anniversary by hosting surprise performances and other events around the world over the past few weeks, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has revealed details about the company's grand finale.
In a social media post, Gurman said Apple's celebrations will conclude this week with a finale at its Apple Park headquarters for employees.
A special...
At least 14 new shows and films are premiering on the Apple TV streaming service throughout the remainder of 2026, starting with Twisted Yoga today.
In the U.S., Apple TV is priced at $12.99 per month or $129 per year, with a free one-week trial available for new subscribers. Apple TV is also included in Apple One and Peacock bundles, with all of the options outlined on Apple's website....
Wednesday March 25, 2026 3:33 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple this week released tvOS 26.4, and the software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the Apple TV.
tvOS 26.4 is compatible with all Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models released since 2015. To update your Apple TV, open the Settings app on the device, navigate to System → Software Updates, and select Update Software.
Below, we have recapped what is new in tvOS...
Apple today provided developers with the fourth betas of upcoming watchOS 26.4 and visionOS 26.4 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple released the third betas.
The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required.
watchOS 26.4 adds a new Average Bedtime metric to ...
BTW, the claim that ATV will be the only streaming box with Atmos and HDR is not true, the FireTV does it now.One would have to rewatch the Keynote to be sure, but I believe they said it is the only one to be certified Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The FireTV is certified for HDR 10, but not Dolby Vison. But my memory could be wrong.
Netflix already has some Atmos offerings though not many. VUDU also offers Atmos titles in their rentals. I think I saw something on Amazon that had Atmos but can't remember for sure. Like you, I wish there were more offerings.
I don't know what Sonos is going to announce, but Samsung already has a 5.1.4 Atmos soundbar and will be releasing their new 7.1.4 Atmos soundbar setup in the next few days.
BTW, the claim that ATV will be the only streaming box with Atmos and HDR is not true, the FireTV does it now.
They specifically said Dolby Vision HDR because the vast majority of STB’s do not support Dolby Vision (because it costs extra to license), only HDR10 (which is free).
Whoever wrote the MR article misquoted, it should say Dolby vision and Atmos not 4K and Atmos
Apple today announced that the Apple TV 4K will gain support for Dolby Atmos surround sound technology. When the update appears later in the year, iTunes will automatically update compatible movies with Dolby Atmos support for free.
With the addition of Dolby Atmos, Apple said that this makes the Apple TV 4K the only streaming box with support for both 4K and Atmos.
Other features coming to tVOS include "Zero Sign-on," so that if you're on your TV provider's broadband network, Apple will securely unlock all apps connected to a subscription service.
For the Apple TV's Aerial screensavers, you'll be able to tap to see descriptions of where each video was shot, and can swipe between screensavers. There will also be new Aerials of Earth taken from the International Space Station.
Article Link: Apple TV 4K Gaining Support for Dolby Atmos in 2018 ('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/06/04/apple-tv-4k-gaining-atmos/')
I was hoping for Philips hue sync for the Apple TV maybe next year
tvOS got straight up shafted this year. They spent 10 minutes talking about aerials for gods sake. I’m extremely disappointed. The ATV 4K is selling so well that you’d think they would spend at least a little development time on it...
It's a streaming-box. What exactly were you expecting?
