Smart home
Apple’s tvOS 18 Gets InSight, Automatic Subtitles and Other New Features
tvOS 18 Updates
At its developer conference, Apple announced InSight – a feature which displays real-time information about the currently playing content, such as the characters, cast and the music playing. To get further information, users can select a specific actor and bring up their background and filmography page, the iPhone maker revealed.
Moreover, tvOS 18 is also said to offer the ability to add the currently playing music to the user’s Apple Music library. The Cupertino-based tech giant also announced that the InSight information can now be accessed on the iPhone while using it as an Apple TV remote.
Stan Ng, Vice President of Apple Watch, Audio, Health, and Home Product Marketing, said, “This fall, tvOS 18 and our services take entertainment in the home to the next level by bringing timely information to fans about their favourite characters and scenes.”
With tvOS, the Enhanced Dialogue feature is claimed to have become smarter, leveraging machine learning (ML) and computational audio to provide better vocal clarity. This feature can now be taken advantage of when playing supported content through the TV’s in-built speakers, Bluetooth-connected audio devices and AirPods, Apple said.
Subtitles are also said to receive improvements, with Apple claiming they now automatically appear in places where the audio does not match the device language. In addition to new screensavers such as films, TV shows, portraits and even Snoopy, Apple is also introducing support for a wider 21:9 aspect ratio for video playback on projectors.
Apple also announced updates to the Home interface, with users now able to share control when playing music through HomePod and HomePod mini using SharePlay and Apple Music. Furthermore, Live Captions will be coming to the US and Canada to read what others say during FaceTime calls when using the iPhone as a Continuity Camera on Apple TV.
The iPhone maker claims to have also introduced a new look for the Apple Fitness+ app to “help users make the most of its robust library, stay motivated, and keep consistent with their fitness routine.”
The deal is a win for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, whose joint venture, called Everyone TV, launched Freely earlier this year, allowing viewers to stream both live TV and on-demand content for free when they purchase smart TVs carrying the service.
The tie-up will help take content from the four public broadcasters – which are required by UK law to offer programming beneficial to the public interest – to more British households, through smart TVs using Amazon’s popular Fire operating system.
“A deal of this kind, between a technology giant and those working in the public interest, is remarkable,” Everyone TV Chief Executive Jonathan Thompson said.
“It represents a significant development in widening the availability of Freely and therefore ensuring UK audiences can access free TV well into the future.”
Freely’s launch in April marked the first time all four of Britain’s public service broadcasters joined hands to set up a streaming service, as they look to future-proof live TV in the age of streaming.
Freely offers 70,000 hours of on-demand content, more than any other major streaming platform in Britain including Netflix, Disney, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV, according to data from London-based Ampere Analysis.
Everyone TV has also signed a deal with TV manufacturer TCL, which will include Freely in their new 2024 smart TVs, it said.
© Thomson Reuters 2024
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Passkeys Support for Home Ecosystem
According to Samsung, it will expand Passkey to TVs powered by its proprietary Tizen operating system (OS) beginning with 2025 models. Its refrigerator equipped with AI Family Hub and other home appliances supporting AI Home will also support sign-in using more secure Passkeys.
Furthermore, its home ecosystem devices will feature support for web browser-based login by scanning QR codes.
In addition to the expansion of Passkeys, Samsung also announced that Knox Matrix — a blockchain-based, multi-device security solution — will now be available on more devices including TVs and home appliances.
Other Announcements
Samsung introduced new updates to SmartThings at its developer conference. One of the newly announced features is Home Insight which is claimed to analyse user data, usage patterns, device history and other statistics collected in real time. This will offer a better home experience to users, according to the company.
Additionally, all Samsung products with screens will now feature SmartThings Hub for improved connectivity with partner devices. It also includes Edge AI which adds AI capabilities to the existing connected home devices. The company also announced partnerships with Schlage and Aqara smart key developers for adding the SmartThings Door Lock function to the Digital Home Key inside the Samsung Wallet app. This change will take place next year.
Tizen OS is also getting AI functionality. Samsung devices powered by a neural processing unit (NPU) will provide personalised experiences. It will be able to control aspects such as echo and noise levels while watching TV or improve notetaking by analysing the user’s writing styles. Its Multi-Control feature is also being expanded to smart monitors and TVs powered by Tizen.
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Apple Smart Home Display
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claimed in his Power On newsletter that Apple is looking to enter the smart home segment with new devices. The company already has its HomePod in the segment, however, it has not seen much popularity. To reinvent the space, the tech giant is reportedly taking the help of robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and a new operating system.
According to the report, Apple is working on two tabletop devices, and each would feature a smart display. The high-end variant is said to come with a robotic limb whose purpose is currently unknown. It is also said to feature a giant iPad-like display.
The report mentioned more information about the lower-end device. The device is said to feature a smart display that can be used for FaceTime and controlling home appliances. The device reportedly has an internal code name of J595. It is not clear whether the device will also feature a robotic appendage.
As per Gurman, the device could be launched next year. However, it is not clear whether it will be introduced in early 2025 or later in the year. The price is said to be $1,000 (roughly Rs. 83,740) or more. The most interesting development is that Apple is reportedly working on a new operating system dubbed homeOS to run these devices and its existing smart home lineup including HomePod and HomePod mini. The basis for the OS is said to be tvOS, which powers the Apple TV.
Further, it is said that the new smart home devices with integrated displays will also feature Apple Intelligence. It is unclear how the tech giant wants to incorporate AI features into the device. However, the lower-end device is said to be able to run apps such as Calendar, Notes, and Home. The device will also be able to run smart home appliances and act as the central hub for it.
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