Apple will introduce a new version of its streaming television operating system later this year that unleashes a number of new features, including character-driven data and a dialogue enhancer.
The new version of the operating system, tvOS 18, will allow streamers to see timely updates about actors, characters and music offered through Apple TV Plus content as they are streaming it. The feature, called InSight, is similar in nature to one called X-Ray that Amazon’s Prime Video has offered for several years.
InSight takes things to a new level by integrating directly with other Apple services. For instance, when streamers hear a song they like on an Apple TV Plus show or movie, they can instantly save that song to a playlist via Apple Music, right from their TV set.
Another feature called Enhanced Dialogue will utilize “machine learning and computational audio to deliver greater vocal clarity over music, action, and background noise on Apple TV 4K,” Apple said in a statement.
Enhanced Dialogue is already available on HomePod, Apple’s version of the smart speaker that is powered by its smart assistant Siri. With tvOS 18, the same feature will be available through built-in TV speakers, HDMI-connected speakers and soundbars, AirPost and other Bluetooth-connected devices. Enhanced Dialogue is also coming to iPhones and iPads with the new iteration of the mobile operating system, iOS 18.
The new tvOS will also introduce smarter subtitles that will automatically appear when a user mutes a video in progress, quickly jumps back to a previous point in time, or when Apple devices recognize that characters have switched into a different language other than the primary one.
Apple will introduce a number of other features with tvOS 18, including updated screen savers, a revamped Apple Fitness Plus app, better integration with smart home devices, support for 21:9 aspect ratio videos on projectors and improvements to FaceTime and Continuity Camera for those who use their Apple TV devices to video conference.
