Along with announcements like finally adding Dolby Atmos support, zero sign-on and new aerial backgrounds, Apple is also bringing a new password autofill feature to tvOS 12, the operating system that powers the tech giant’s 4th-generation Apple TV and Apple TV 4K.
With tvOS 12, Apple is utilizing the set-top box’s Siri Remote in order to locate what iPhone to pull the required iCloud Keychain data from. This means you’ll no longer need to type in a password through the Siri Remote’s often frustrating and inaccurate touchpad, as long as you take advantage of Apple’s Keychain password saving system.
For example, if you’re setting up an Apple TV for the first time, or signing into a new app that requires the user to login, rather than typing in the password via a nearby iPhone — the option I often take in order to avoid having to use the Siri Remote — as long as your iPhone and the Siri Remote is nearby, the password field will now be automatically filled. This new feature is even more helpful if you have a strong password.
Apple is also launching a new framework for its tvOS operating system called ‘TVUIKit‘ that aims to make creating user interfaces for Apple TV apps an easier process for developers.
The first seed of tvOS 12’s developer beta is now available. According to Apple, tvOS 12 will get a public beta at some point this summer, followed by a public launch in the fall.
