At WWDC 23, Apple announced tvOS 17 which will add new features such as Facetime, Memories as screensavers, a redesigned Control Center, and a 'Locate Siri Remote' feature.
Updated: tvOS 17 will also support VPN and Dolby Vision profile 8.1, introduce Enhance Dialogue and new screensavers, and come with other tweaks. Article has been updated.
The next major software update for Apple TV will include a redesigned Control Center that includes new features such as Sleep Timer. Also notice that the homescreen switches from rows of 5 apps to rows of 6 apps.


 The redesigned Control Center in tvOS 17
Using an iPhone, it will also be possible to locate a lost Siri Remote (2nd generation or later). As users get closer to the remote, an onscreen circle grows in size to guide their movement, explained Apple.

- "In addition, when using the remote on iPhone to wake up and control Apple TV, users will be automatically switched to their profile, ensuring they have access to their recently watched shows and personalized recommendations. Additional settings and preferences are now saved for each user profile, including their system language and paired AirPods, delivering an even more personalized experience."

Memories made automatically by your iPhone or iPad based on photos and videos in your library can now be used as screensaver on Apple TV.

In addition, new screensavers will be added including locations such as Arizona’s Monument Valley and California’s coastal redwoods.


Facetime on Apple TV
Another major feature coming to Apple TV is Facetime. Once again, Apple TV will rely wirelessly on your iPhone for camera and microphone input.

- "tvOS 17 transforms the biggest screen in the home with FaceTime and new video conferencing capabilities, giving Apple TV 4K users the ability to easily connect with anyone right from their living room," said Bob Borchers, Apple’s VP of Worldwide Product Marketing. "New features and enhancements make Apple TV simpler to use and even more enjoyable, reinforcing it as the absolute best option in the living room for Apple customers."


 Facetime on Apple TV is coming with tvOS 17

Facetime on Apple TV combines with SharePlay to let your friends or family stay on the screen to the side while everyone is watching the same movie or show from afar. Center Stage keeps everyone in the room framed on the screen, even as they move around.

Apple said that Zoom and WebEx will come to Apple TV later this year with similar experiences.

Apple Music Sing, a feature that lets users sing along to music, will also integrate Continuity Camera – the option to use iPhone's camera/microphone with Apple TV – so users can see themselves onscreen and add filters.




AirPlay in hotels, "Siri"
In addition, Apple announced that AirPlay will get more intelligent with iOS and tvOS 17 to adapt to your personal preferences and habits.

It will now automatically on iPhone or iPad suggest AirPlay devices that you use a lot such as Apple TV. The feature is called 'Smart AirPlay suggestions'.

AirPlay is also coming to hotels "before the end of the year", the company said. It will be possible to pair your iPhone to the hotel TV via a QR code,


 New features in tvOS for Apple TV and HomePod

In addition, Apple announced that the "Hey Siri" wakeword will be replaced by simply "Siri", which also applies to Apple TV when you give voice commands via HomePod, AirPods or another Siri-enabled device that controls Apple TV.

As for HomePods, it will be possible to start AirPlay sessions with Siri, meaning that you no longer have to open the app on, for example, iPhone and then click the AirPlay button. This AirPlay new features must be supported in the app. 

tvOS 17 will be available for both Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K, and will be released this fall.

Additional new features in tvOS 17
In Apple's own words:

- Enhance Dialogue, which lets users more clearly hear what is being said over the effects, action, and music in a movie or TV show on Apple TV 4K paired with HomePod (2nd generation) by separating the dialogue from the background noise and bringing it forward to the center channel.
- Dolby Vision 8.1 support, which offers Apple TV 4K users a more cinematic visual experience with dynamic metadata over a broader range of movies and TV shows.
Apple Fitness+ enhancements, including Custom Plans, a new way for Fitness+ users to receive a custom workout or meditation schedule based on day, duration, workout type, and more; Stacks, which allows users to select multiple workouts and meditations to seamlessly do back to back; and Audio Focus, which gives users the ability to prioritize the volume of the music or the trainers’ voices.
- Third-party VPN support, which enables developers to create VPN apps for Apple TV. This can benefit enterprise and education users wanting to access content on their private networks, allowing Apple TV to be a great office and conference room solution in even more places.
 FlatpanelsHD