Apple Promises New Supercharged Updates for AirPods, Home, and tvOS

Apple took to the virtual stage Monday morning with a ton of updates and announcements for iOS, AI, and the company's smart home gear.

That latter includes updates to AirPods Pro, tvOS, and Apple Music, as well as Services like SharePlay and Apple FItness+. The Home app gets some updates, as well, including new guest access and hands-free unlock features.

“We design our Home products to elevate users’ everyday lives, and our latest updates reinforce that goal by delivering even more convenience and connection,” said Stan Ng, Apple’s vice president of Apple Watch, Audio, Health, and Home Product Marketing, in a statement. “This fall, tvOS 18 and our services take entertainment in the home to the next level by bringing timely information to fans about their favorite characters and scenes.”

tvOS 18

Apple's tvOS—version 18 now—brings a new feature that feels a lot like Amazon's X-ray tech. When you're watching a show or movie on Apple TV, you can now use InSight to view info on actors, characters, and music on the fly. It also works with your iPhone when you're using it as a remote, said Ron Huang, VP Sensing and Connectivity, during the keynote.

tvOS also gets enhanced dialog which now uses machine learning to make sure you can hear the characters in a given show on Apple TV. Plus, subtitles will automatically show up when you mute the volume or backup to see a scene again. No more managing subtitle menus when you just want to clarify what that one guy said in that scene.

Your Apple TV also gets 21:9 projector support for the films created in that format. There are also new screensavers for your Apple TV featuring portraits from your photos, images from your favorite Apple TV shows, and cute screensavers featuring Snoopy and Woodstock.

Apple Services and Home Entry

You can now share who controls playing music on your HomePod or HomePod mini with SharePlay and Apple Music. Your friends just need to bring their iPhone close to yours (or scan a QR code in SharePlay on an iPhone) to add songs to the playlist. They don't even need an Apple Music subscription, since they'll be using yours.

Continuity camera in Facetime gets Live Captions for when you're video chatting on your big screen, and Apple Fitness+ adds personalized For You, Explore, LIbrary, and Search features, plus an enhanced award system, all available on Apple TV.

If you want to let friends into your home via an Apple-supported smart lock, the Home app will now allow you to do just that, along with granting control of garage doors and security systems. All can be scheduled for specific time-based access, too. Plus, you'll finally be able to use hands-free unlock with your phone opening your door when you are six feet or closer from your door. Never put down a shopping bag again!

The Home app is also not compatible with Robot vacuum cleaners, and will let you manage your electricity usage (starting with Pacific Gas & Electric in California.

Don't Forget about AirPods

AirPods, then, get a seamless, hands-free Siri experience, where you can just nod or shake your head when answering her queries. When you're in a noisy environment, your AirPods Pro have a new Voice Isolation feature which makes your voice come through much more clearly to your friends on the other end of the line.

Plus? Apple has expanded personalized spatial audio for gaming. Need for Speed mobile will be the first title to get this feature, starting this fall.