tvOS 18.2 rolls out to Apple TV with Snoopy screensavers, 21:9 support
Apple has released tvOS 18.2 for Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K, adding Snoopy screensavers and expanded support for wide and ultrawide aspect ratios.Update: Apple has clarified that the wider aspect ratios are supported only on Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen). Ultrawide support extends to FaceTime video calls. The new Enhance Dialogue features now also work on HomePod (2nd Gen) paired to Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) or later. A changelog has been added at the bottom of the article.After some delays, the Snoopy screensavers are included in tvOS 18.2 but require an Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) or later. It is not clear why this limitation exists. The new Apple Originals and TV+ screensavers, including one from the show Foundation, plus Music and Soundscapes screensavers, are further delayed into 2025, likely in tvOS 18.3.
The Snoopy screensavers play in 1080p SDR. Photo: FlatpanelsHD21:9 and 32:9 support
In addition, tvOS 18.2 expands support for aspect ratios beyond the standard 16:9 with black bars during most movies. Specifically, tvOS 18.2 adds support for the following aspect ratios on Apple TV 4K (3rd gen):
The new aspect ratio options in tvOS 18.2. Photo: Sigmund Judge
About the wider aspect ratios
While Apple highlighted that the expanded support for wide and ultrawide aspect ratios is intended for anamorphic lens projectors, the new features appear to also work with most ultrawide PC monitors. Users must select the aspect ratio and the monitor's resolution from Apple TV 4K's custom resolution options. The Apple TV 4K homescreen has not been adapted for wide or ultrawide aspect ratios (it will still display in 16:9). However, once a movie starts playback in the Apple TV app, the picture and UI elements will adjust to the selected aspect ratio. Third-party apps such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and Max do not support this feature at launch. tvOS 18.2 can be downloaded now as a free software update for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.New features in tvOS 18.2
| In Apple's own words: What's new in tvOS 18.2 This update introduces Snoopy as a new screen saver, brings ultra-widescreen support for playing movies and shows, adds HomePod support for recent Enhance Dialogue improvements, and includes performance and stability improvements. Screen savers - Snoopy and Woodstock take over the screen with delightful animations that adapt to the day, weather, and holidays. Available on Apple TV 4K (2nd generation and later). Enhance Dialogue - HomePod (2nd generation) support for hearing speech more clearly using real-time audio processing and machine learning. Available on Apple TV 4K (2nd generation and later). Cinematic playback on compatible projectors and displays - Support for 21:9 and other cinematic aspect ratios enhances the home theater experience when watching movies and shows. - Ultra-widescreen viewing for FaceTime calls. Available on Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) with compatible content in supported apps. |
