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.
Friday October 31, 2025 1:40 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a small but helpful change for iPhones, and it could prevent you from running late to something important.
Specifically, when an alarm goes off in the Clock app, there is a new "slide to stop" control on the screen for turning off the alarm. On previous iOS 26 versions, there is simply a large "stop" button, which could be accidentally tapped.
The new ...
Friday October 31, 2025 7:32 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple has just given a strong indication that it will not be releasing any additional new Macs for the remainder of the year.
Apple's CFO Kevan Parekh dropped the hint during the company's earnings call on Thursday:On Mac, keep in mind, we expect to face a very difficult compare against the M4 MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac launches in the year-ago quarter.Parekh essentially gave a heads up ...
Apple is planning to launch at least 15 new products in 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Gurman outlined what to expect from Apple in 2026 in the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter. He said the company is heading "into one of its most pivotal years in recent memory," with the rollout of major new Apple Intelligence features, intense regulatory pressure on the App Store,...
Friday October 31, 2025 8:52 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device.
Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that have been leaked about Apple's foldable iPhone so far.
Ove...
In his "Power On" newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today provided an update on the status of Apple Intelligence and the plans for it in 2026.
Apple is still planning to roll out its revamped version of Siri around March of next year. The release should be accompanied by the release of a new smart home display product with speaker-base and wall-mount options. A new Apple TV and HomePod...
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models could be available in new rich and warm color option, according to a known leaker.
The Weibo user known as "Instant Digital" today suggested that next-year's iPhone 18 Pro models will be available in at least one of the following color options: Coffee, purple, and burgundy.
The iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Pro were all available in ...
A new Apple TV and HomePod mini could launch as soon as this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today suggested.
In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple retail stores are planning an overnight refresh on the evening of November 11, where changes will be made after closing, such as refreshing displays and placing new products for the following day.
The timing of the overnight...
Thursday October 30, 2025 4:42 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
One thing worth...
Sunday November 2, 2025 11:50 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Following more than a month of beta testing, Apple is expected to release iOS 26.1 this Monday, November 3. The update includes a handful of new features and changes, including the ability to adjust the look of Liquid Glass and more.
Below, we outline key details about iOS 26.1.
Liquid Glass Toggle
iOS 26.1 lets you choose your preferred look for Liquid Glass.
In the Settings app,...
Wednesday October 29, 2025 4:22 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple is about to drop iOS 26.1, the first major point release since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least six notable changes and improvements to look forward to. We've rounded them up below.
Apple has already provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of iOS 26.1, which means Apple will likely roll out the update to all compatible...
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.
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
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
Dolby Atmos is great and all. But until services like Netflix, Amazon Prime etc starts offering TV-shows and Movies with Dolby Atmos (they are mostly offering Dolby Stereo and Dolby Digital Plus) I won't really benefit anytime soon.
Sonos is also going to announce something new for the living room in two days and I'm eager to see if that might be a new sound bar solution offering Dolby Atmos. It would be the perfect timing.
('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/06/04/apple-tv-4k-gaining-atmos/')
