Apple TV 4K adds Dolby Atmos audio support
David Farnor | On 05, Jun 2018
Apple is giving its TV platform a fresh upgrade with the addition of support for Dolby Atmos audio.
Apple TV revamped its offering recently with an emphasis on its new 4K library of movies, with free HDR upgrads to previously purchased movies in customers’ iTunes libraries. Now, it’s giving the same treatment to customers’ ears, with free Dolby Atmos audio upgrades also available.
That will be part of tvOS 12, unveiled last night by Apple. The operating system is designed for enjoying entertainment on the big screen, also adding convenient new features to easily access the shows and movies customers love, plus breathtaking aerials shot from space.
This autumn, tvOS 12 will make iTunes home to the largest collection of Dolby Atmos-supported movies anywhere, and these titles will also include Dolby Atmos audio for free. Apple TV 4K will be the only streaming player both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos certified.
The Apple TV App on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV now includes 100 participating video apps in 10 countries. Single sign-on for Apple TV and iOS has allowed users to sign in once to get access to these apps through their cable subscription. With tvOS 12, Apple further simplifies the authentication process with zero sign-on. Apple TV simply detects the user’s broadband network and automatically signs them in to all the supported apps they receive through their subscription — no typing required. Zero sign-on begins with Charter Communications, the second-largest cable operator in the US, later this year and will expand to other providers over time.
Finally, Apple is teaming upw ith the International Space Station National Lab and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space to add new aerial shots from space to Apple TV for 4K HDR screensavers in between programmes and films.