tvOS has been, in my experience, the best operating system out there for devices that are merely designed for streaming and watching content on your home’s big screen, your TV.
The fact that I have been able to use an Apple TV HD to stream my favorite TV shows and movies since I purchased it in 2016, with continued software support throughout my duration of owning it, is something that most companies today would not do.
With that said, there are still a couple of features I’d like to see be added to it in tvOS 17:
- Weather alerts: With Apple having a better version of its default Weather app now, it is time to not only bring the app to the Apple TV, but with it, weather alerts. One may be able to argue and say users can check their iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac for weather updates and that the Apple TV is not the place for that. My belief is since many people are not subscribed to traditional cable or satellite anymore, and therefore not receiving the Emergency Alert System (EAS) weather alerts when watching content on streaming services, Apple needs to integrate the Weather app and severe weather alerts to tvOS. If anything, it would be beneficial to users and help them be aware of dangerous weather in their area.
- Seasonal screensavers: This is a feature I have requested for years but it is one that Apple needs to have in order to make the Apple TV a little more personal. For example, it would be nice if during the fall, we could see just a nice view of leaves falling down in a forest or get a drone flying over a forest or acreage of trees blooming with fall colors. With the same idea, it could be cool to see fall snow in the city like a drone view of snow falling in New York City around Christmastime. During the spring and summer, you could have falling rain in a grassy field, raining in the city, and ocean waves flowing on a beach during the summer.
Part of me has always looked forward to the tvOS presentation during Apple Events to see if Apple has finally given in to my request. Perhaps 2023 will finally be the year?
What are your thoughts on these ideas for the feature requests listed above? Comment below or let us know on Twitter at @appleosophy.
