4 causes I am updating my Apple TV the second tvOS 26 drops

A minor revelation that emerged from Apple’s September 9 iPhone occasion is that tvOS 26 would not attain Apple TVs on September 15, as with iOS 26, macOS 26, and different updates. The software program continues to be due someday this fall, but it surely appears probably that Apple is timing its launch with up to date {hardware}, which was additionally lacking in motion on the occasion. Apple does typically stagger its fall product rollouts, whether or not to offer the suitable merchandise the highlight or to purchase itself somewhat extra improvement time.

Each time tvOS 26 does get right here, there are a number of options that ought to make it value putting in straight away should you’ve received an current Apple TV 4K. Some are comparatively frivolous, however others are lengthy overdue for what’s imagined to be the point of interest of a house theater setup. It does imply that Apple is taking note of buyer calls for, at the very least.

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Setting any AirPlay speaker as a everlasting output

No extra HomePod monopoly

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When you frequent Reddit, a comparatively widespread sight in Apple TV posts is a pair of HomePods (or HomePod minis) arrange for stereo output. That is partly an indication of devotion to the Apple ecosystem — however the bigger pattern is that till now, Apple has solely allowed HomePods to completely pair as wi-fi audio system. You have been definitely capable of push audio to third-party AirPlay audio system, however you needed to re-establish their connection within the Settings app each time you turned your system again on. It was a lot easier to attach these audio system through your TV’s ARC or eARC port.

Why the disparity? There is not any doubt Apple has benefited financially, however there may have been a technical hurdle to beat: video sync. Wi-fi audio is inherently laggier than a wired connection, which signifies that an Apple TV has to delay video in order that voices, results, and music match up with on-screen cues. That was clearly simpler to coordinate with first-party audio system.

Regardless of the rationalization, tvOS 26 has the potential to breathe new life into the AirPlay speaker market. Definitely, it might be much more handy to attach my Sonos Ray wirelessly than depend on an optical cable and IR distant.

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Higher user-switching choices and logins

Get to customized content material sooner

Apple

Apple TV person profiles have at all times been one thing of a problem for me. They’re doubtlessly important, since they impression your Watchlist, your suggestions, the content material you’ll be able to entry, and even settings for paired AirPods. However to modify profiles on the fly, you must open up the Management Middle by holding down the Siri Distant’s TV button, and it is all too straightforward to neglect tvOS profiles exist should you’re already on the homescreen, and all you need to do is leap into an app like YouTube or Disney+. Many apps have their very own in-app profiles anyway, which might make Apple’s system redundant.

Taking a touch, tvOS 26 presents the choice of profile choice each time your Apple TV boots. This does add an additional step earlier than you’ll be able to watch something — however not a lot of 1, and it ought to hopefully enhance your expertise by bringing out the personalization Apple meant. If nothing else, it is really sooner to modify profiles this fashion than through Management Middle. Now if solely we might persuade Netflix to assist the Up Subsequent queue, life can be grand.

Individually, Apple is offering a brand new API to builders that hyperlinks app logins to an Apple Account. That ought to make it simpler to signal into providers when organising a brand new system.

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A sensible use for Liquid Glass aesthetics

The place transparency really issues

Apple

General, I look the like of Liquid Glass, which is Apple’s time period for the model uniting all of its 2025 software program updates. I can level to points right here and there, however after quite a few betas, Apple appears to have refined the scheme to the purpose that it is constantly good (or at the very least usable), with none main legibility issues. That is in distinction with its June unveiling, the place even Apple’s personal promo movies hinted that you simply might need bother studying buttons and labels on an iPhone in the event that they have been in entrance of a white background. There’s nonetheless the potential for bother studying icons, widgets, and notifications on some units should you select a “Clear” look.

On an Apple TV, Liquid Glass feels proper at house. There’s not solely much less concern about legibility — lots of you’re most likely watching on TVs over 50 inches — however an inherent worth to a clear UI. It retains extra of a film or present seen, whether or not we’re popping open Management Middle or scrubbing ahead and backward. I would additionally argue that shiny icons and borders really feel extra pure on a TV. Whereas I often need iPadOS or macOS to be subdued, so it is much less distracting whereas I work, distraction is the objective of a media streamer. Once I sit down for a film, I need it to really feel like an occasion.

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Deeper FaceTime integration

One other usecase for HomePods

Apple

Do you know you can also make FaceTime calls on an Apple TV? I did, however actually, I typically neglect the choice exists. The set-top would not have its personal digital camera or microphone, so that you usually have to enter its FaceTime app and choose an iPhone or iPad to make use of as an alternative. It is an ungainly course of, and not likely value it more often than not except it is necessary that you simply go hands-free — say, should you’re letting your mother and father watch you unwrap Christmas presents with your loved ones.

FaceTime integration is extra related in tvOS 26, principally as a result of you do not have to take part in a video name. If you’re signed into your profile, you now get notifications for all FaceTime calls linked to your Apple Account, whether or not audio or video. If you wish to reply them, you are able to do that from an related iPhone or HomePod. Maybe that is yet one more bid to maintain HomePods related within the wake of opening up AirPlay pairing compatibility.

It is also value noting that Stay Captions are being prolonged to extra languages, together with French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish. If in case you have family and friends that are not fluent in English, assistance is across the nook.