Apple final month introduced tvOS 17 for Apple TV at WWDC 2023. And whereas the replace comes with some cool new options, like native VPN assist, there’s nothing actually thrilling about it – not less than that’s what I assumed. tvOS 17 lets customers FaceTime immediately from the TV, and whereas I first underestimated this characteristic, I’m now in love with it.
Right here’s how FaceTime works on Apple TV with tvOS 17
Now that the primary public beta of tvOS 17 is out there, I gave it a shot and put in it on one in every of my Apple TVs (extra particularly, the 2021 4K model with the A12 chip).
Instantly, I noticed the FaceTime icon on the House Display screen and thought “I must verify how that works.” In fact, Apple TV has no built-in digicam, so Apple’s resolution was to convey a characteristic from macOS to tvOS: Continuity Digicam. Whenever you open the FaceTime app in your Apple TV, your iPhone instantly asks if you wish to join it to your TV.
In the event you faucet to attach, you’ll see an instruction to place your iPhone in panorama mode with the rear digicam dealing with you. After that, your iPhone turns into the webcam on your Apple TV. It’s that straightforward (generally, as a result of the characteristic continues to be fairly buggy within the beta variations and I typically needed to strive pairing my cellphone a number of occasions earlier than it labored).
When your iPhone is linked, the FaceTime app exhibits a really comparable interface to the app on iPad and Mac, with a column exhibiting your contacts on the suitable aspect of the display screen. From there, you can begin a FaceTime name with anybody you need.
FaceTime on Apple TV makes use of the iPhone’s ultra-wide lens as default. In consequence, you possibly can allow Heart Stage in order that the picture is all the time targeted on you, even once you transfer round. There are additionally choices to allow Portrait Mode and 3D reactions. Briefly, it really works just about the way in which you’d count on.
This is among the finest options – and I underestimated it
When Apple introduced this characteristic at WWDC 2023, I used to be like “why would I take advantage of FaceTime on my TV?” And although Apple highlighted that the characteristic is a good addition for company conferences, I nonetheless wasn’t satisfied. However now that I’ve tried the characteristic a couple of occasions, I see myself utilizing it extra typically. And right here’s why.
First, having FaceTime on the large display screen is basically handy. You’re not restricted to the small display screen of the iPhone and even the iPad. Personally, I hate doing FaceTime from my cellphone as a result of I’ve to maintain holding it, so I all the time use my iPad or Mac for that.
Second, the truth that Apple TV forces you to make use of your iPhone’s rear digicam to FaceTime ends in extremely higher video high quality. Video calls look a lot better, particularly when each individuals are utilizing FaceTime with the iPhone’s rear digicam. And having Heart Stage is a large addition, since I can stroll round my bed room or lounge and different folks can nonetheless see me.
And extra importantly, FaceTime on Apple TV turns into far more immersive for some events, like once you’re with household or a lot of mates and wish to FaceTime somebody. It’s far more enjoyable to do it on TV as an alternative of a small display screen. And even after I’m alone, I can sit with my MacBook on the sofa whereas speaking to somebody on my TV.
Nonetheless…
On the identical time, there’s one thing bizarre about utilizing FaceTime with an iPhone on Apple TV, and that’s the truth that you have to put your iPhone in entrance of the TV. Options like this and StandBy Mode spotlight the shortage of an Apple accent to position your iPhone horizontally.
There are actually quite a lot of third-party equipment accessible that do the job, but it surely’s bizarre to suppose that Apple simply introduced a bunch of options that require equipment that the corporate itself doesn’t have. And as my colleague Zac Corridor wrote, tvOS 17 actually exhibits that it is likely to be time for Apple TV to get its personal built-in webcam.
Extra about tvOS 17
One other element about FaceTime on Apple TV is that you would be able to let different folks use your TV to FaceTime on their very own accounts. There’s an choice to scan a QR Code on one other iPhone to start out a name on that TV. This, after all, requires an iPhone working iOS 17.
Different cool issues about tvOS 17 embody a redesigned Management Heart that appears a lot better, the icon grid that now has six apps per row as an alternative of 5, new audio output choices for the 2nd technology HomePod, and a brand new picture screensaver. Nonetheless, I’ve been noticing some efficiency points with this model, so hold that in thoughts earlier than putting in tvOS 17 beta.
tvOS 17 is now accessible as beta software program for Apple TV HD (2015) and later. The official launch is predicted this fall. Extra particulars on methods to set up tvOS 17 beta in your Apple TV will be discovered right here.
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