Apple has released tvOS 15.1 which lets users to share media with family and friends across Apple platforms (including Apple TV) with SharePlay. The update also brings new audio capabilities to HomePod.
tvOS 15.1 for Apple TV
In addition to all of the new features in tvOS 15 such as Spatial Audio, AirPods auto-detection, HomePod mini pairing, and the 'quick resume' gaming function, tvOS 15.1 enables SharePlay which was originally planned to come with tvOS 15.
SharePlay lets users share media content with friends and family over the FaceTime system, which is now supported in some form on Apple TV.
- "SharePlay works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and with shared playback controls, anyone in a SharePlay session can play, pause, or jump ahead. SharePlay even extends to Apple TV, so users can watch shows or movies on a big screen. Disney+, ESPN+, HBO Max, Hulu, MasterClass, Paramount+, Pluto TV, TikTok, Twitch, and many others are integrating SharePlay into their apps," Apple said earlier this year.
There is a new SharePlay menu available from Apple TV's control center.
Apple is rolling out tvOS 15.1 starting today on Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K.
SharePlay is Apple's version of group watching, powered by FaceTime
HomePod 15.1 update
HomePod, which runs on tvOS, is also getting two new features that were originally scheduled to be included in tvOS 15.
With tvOS 15.1, Apple is adding Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos support to the original – now discontinued – HomePod. To be clear, HomePods were already capable of handling Dolby Atmos when set to default speakers for Apple TV 4K but now HomePods can use Apple's Spatial Audio system to play Dolby Atmos music (and possibly other types of media in the future) directly on the speakers – no Apple TV 4K required.
Also read: Review: Apple TV 4K (2021)
In addition, Apple has enabled lossless playback with Apple Music on both the original HomePod and HomePod mini.
You can enable the new features from the Home app on an iOS device (requires iOS 15.1): Home Settings -> User profile -> Media -> Apple Music.
Software version 15.1 for HomePod is available starting today.
HomePod 15.1 changelog
| Software version 15.1 includes support for new audio features for your HomePod. This update also includes performance and stability improvements.
- Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos support on HomePod
- Lossless playback with Apple Music on HomePod and HomePod mini |
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