Learn how to manually check for Apple TV software updates and install the latest version of tvOS so it has all the latest available features and can run without hiccups.
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Apple begins shipping new Apple TVs, releases final 9.0 build, and launches App Store
Big things are happening with the new Apple TV. Not only have numerous readers received their now shipping notifications, alluding to a Friday arrival, Apple has also made several significant necessary infrastructure changes for tomorrow's big launch.
First and foremost, the App Store is now live for the Apple TV. Twitter is flowing with screenshots and images of the new Apple TV App Store. Although its discovery elements are still questionable, Apple is probably still in the midst of rolling out the categories section and top charts section. Remember, the actual launch isn't until tomorrow, so anything can change between now and then.
Secondly, Apple has released the final build of its tvOS software that powers the new Apple TV. In fact, you can download tvOS 9.0 right now.
The Apple TV 4 is now available for sale
As promised by Tim Cook, Apple new 4th generation Apple TV just went on sale on Apple's online store. Coming in both 32 and 64 GB flavors, the new Apple TV starts at $149 for the lower storage tier, and caps off at $199 for the higher storage tier.
The new Apple TV 4, which comes bundled with Apple's new Siri Remote, is the first Apple TV to be able to run full-fledged apps from the App Store thanks to its new operating system, tvOS. The ability to run apps and search with Siri are two of the big headlining features for the refresh. Users can also expect a modern looking UI with a familiar, yet refreshed, interface.
Apple invites developers to submit their tvOS apps
Following the release of the tvOS Golden Master earlier today, Apple is now inviting developers to begin submitting their app submissions for the new Apple TV, which should be available by the end of next.
Provenance classic game emulator launches for Apple TV, and iOS devices
A week ago, we told you about Provenance, a then upcoming emulator that would be one of the first of its kind for the new Apple TV. Today, Provenance officially launched for the Apple TV and it also works with other iOS devices.
Provenance is a multi-emulator, meaning that it can emulate games from a variety of classic platforms. Users can look forward to emulating their favorite NES, SNES, Genesis/MegaDrive, Sega CD, Master System, GameBoy & GameBoy Color, and GameBoy Advance games.
Want to see what Provenance looks like on the big screen? Check here for more screenshots.
Apple’s 200MB initial download limit for Apple TV can be a good thing for gamers if developers adapt
Earlier this week, I discussed why Apple's move to require developers to support the Apple TV remote in its games was actually a positive move for gamers. Today, I'd like to briefly touch on another controversial subject regarding the new Apple TV—the 200MB initial download limit for apps.
Knee-jerk reactions aside, it's now much more clear what Apple's 200MB limit entails. No, it doesn't mean that a game can only be 200MB in size, it simply means that the initial bundle—the portion of the app that's required for a user to start using it—should be 200MB or less. iMore's Serenity Caldwell does a great job of explaining this in detail.
To assist, Apple is employing a recent technology called on-demand resources. This isn't completely new, as Apple revealed this strategy at WWDC 2015, and it's available for use by developers in iOS 9. The difference is, the Apple TV will require developers to use on-demand resources if its apps are larger than 200MB in size—and, as we know, many are.
While this may seem overly restrictive at first glance, it's definitely not as bad as it's been made out to be. In fact, I think that it will largely prove to be of notable benefit to gamers.
Here’s the first emulator built for the new Apple TV
One of the new Apple TV’s biggest upsides is its game playing ability. Indeed, Apple’s next generation Apple TV will focus heavily on gaming, and even comes equipped with a Wii-inspired motion remote/controller with a touchpad.
Certain developers are already licking their chops at the possibilities of the Apple TV as a gaming hub. In fact, one such developer has already used the now-available Apple TV simulator to run an emulator. This emulator allows for old-school games, like the Sega classic Golden Axe, to be played.
One such example is with an emulator named Provenance. Developed by James Addyman, Provenance is a multi-emulator capable of emulating games from a variety of legacy hardware. Provenance is already running on the Apple TV simulator found inside the latest version of Xcode.
Apple appears to have trademarked ‘tvOS,’ the next Apple TV’s likely software platform name
With just a few hours until Apple's keynote, a series of trademark filings for the name 'tvOS' have been discovered by MacRumors, indicating that the Apple TV's new operating system will indeed be referred to as 'tvOS', which would be in line with the naming convention for iOS and watchOS platforms.
Apple appears to have protected the trademark via a shell corporation, as is its usual modus operandi when it wants to hide trademark filings from general public.