Yesterday Apple released a flock of new betas to developers for each of its major platforms. While iOS and watchOS both got some nice new features, there’s plenty for owners of the new Apple TV to get excited about as well.
One of the new features is so basic it’s a little difficult to understand why Apple left it out in the first place, but the company’s Podcast app is finally available on the Apple TV. Until now, a workaround was available using AirPlay, but owners looking for an easy way to fill the living room with their favorite podcasts will soon be able to do so much more easily.
For those with long passwords or bad luck with Siri, the Bluetooth keyboard support will be a welcome addition. Granted, entering text with the Remote app has been available from the beginning, but this could also be a hint at support for more Bluetooth input devices in the future.
The updated app switcher may not be a new feature, since it’s been there since the beginning, but with tvOS 9.2 the app switcher will be getting a facelift. The new look is much more similar to the iOS 9 switcher.
We are also seeing the addition of App folders, which were uncovered in November of last year, AppleInsider notes. Finally, tvOS 9.2 adds MapKit support as well as Siri voice support for U.S. Spanish and French Canadian in the U.S., and updated support for U.K. English, Australian English, and even U.S. English in the U.K.
If you want to try these features now, you’ll need to be registered as an Apple developer, which comes with an annual fee starting at $100 per year. Assuming you are, you can find the download and full release notes on the Apple developer website. There is no word yet on when tvOS 9.2 is planned to be released to the general public.
