Apple TV Receives Big Update: Siri Voice Search, Folders, Dictation, iCloud Photo Libraries Access And More

Aaron Mamiit, Tech Times 22 March 2016, 08:03 am

Apple released the third beta version of the tvOS 9.2 last month, which allowed developers to try out several new features for the Apple TV operating system. The third beta was pushed out just weeks after the second beta, and Apple has been testing the operating system since January to prepare it for its launch.

Apple has now released the final version of tvOS 9.2 to Apple TV users, alongside OS X 10.11.4, iOS 9.3 and watchOS 2.2.

Coming to the fourth-generation Apple TV through the tvOS 9.2 update is a variety of features, one of which is the addition of a dictation feature to add input into fields such as log-in screens and search boxes using the Siri Remote. Bluetooth keyboard support has also been added, and these two features look to solve the difficulties that Apple TV users experienced in typing in text.

The Siri Remote can now also be used to search through the Apple TV's App Store, adding to the previous functionality of being able to open apps using the digital assistant.

In addition, tvOS 9.2 will allow users to group their apps for the Apple TV into folders for better organization, similar to how users can do so in OS X and iOS. To create the folders, users will simply have to click and then hold on an app using the Touch Surface of the Siri Remote.

The tvOS 9.2 update will also add an updated user interface for the app switcher, taking it in line with how the iOS 9's app switcher looks like with overlapping snapshots of the open apps.

Also coming to the Apple TV is support for the iCloud Photo Library, which can now be accessed through the Photos app. Users that have subscribed to the service will be able to access the images stored in their account on their TV screens.

Users should be receiving the tvOS 9.2 automatically, and to check if it has been pushed out to their Apple TV, users can access the About section of the Settings menu. The version number of tvOS will be displayed there.

For users that are not willing to wait for the update to arrive, they can head to the System option under the Settings menu and select Software Updates under the Maintenance option.