Apple has today released tvOS 14.5 for Apple TV. It brings improvements to frame rate matching, PS5 and Xbox Series controller support, and new anti-tracking measures.
tvOS 14.5 for Apple TV
After weeks of beta testing, tvOS 14.5 has arrived with support for both integer and fractional frame rates (i.e. both 24.000fps and 23.976fps) for improved video playback without dropped frames. It is the holy grail of frame rate matching.
The update also brings support for PlayStation 5's DualSense controller and the Xbox Series X/S controllers to Apple TV, meaning that you can use the new controllers to play games from Apple Arcade or the app store. Some games on Apple Arcade like The Pathless – a PS5 launch title – support rumble/haptics on Apple TV.
Apple TV is now compatible with PS5 and Xbox Series X/S game controllers
Tracking transparency
The release of tvOS and iOS 14.5 is part of Apple's larger transition to a system that limits user tracking in apps – tracking is now opt-in instead of opt-out. The company refers to it as App Tracking Transparency.
Apple's push for privacy comes at a time where other TV platforms are increasingly embracing personalized ads that require collection of user data.
Roku wants to be "a next-generation TV ad platform" and LG has revamped the webOS user interface after its acquisition of ad tech startup Alphonso. The new Google TV layer on top of Android TV use the recommendation engine to push content from partners.
Color calibration, Fitness+
With the release of tvOS 14.5, Apple is bringing the 'Color Balance' calibration feature from the new Apple TV 4K to its previous boxes. The new Siri Remote is now also compatible with the previous boxes.
There is a new setting option under 'Settings -> Apps' that will let tvOS automatically remove apps that you are not using anymore, to free up space. Siri now works on Apple TV in Austria, Ireland and New Zealand. The 'Type to Siri' accessibility feature is now also supported.
Furthermore, iOS 14.5 for iPhone/iPad brings AirPlay 2 support to Fitness+. This enables users to show fitness videos on AirPlay 2-enabled TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony, Vizio, and others.
tvOS 14.5 is available now for Apple TV 4K (2021), Apple TV 4K (2017) and Apple TV HD (2015).
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