With tvOS 18, the Apple TV is getting a significant update that makes using FaceTime on your TV even better. The introduction of live captions in particular promises to make FaceTime calls more accessible and convenient. Below you'll find out everything you need to know about the new features, supported devices and regions of the tvOS 18 update.
The possibilities that technology offers us are becoming more diverse and accessible. Apple already took a big step with the introduction of FaceTime on the Apple TV 4K last year. Now the company is going a step further with tvOS 18 and integrating live captions for FaceTime. This innovation will not only benefit people with hearing impairments but will also increase the general comfort of using FaceTime on the big screen.
FaceTime on Apple TV with live subtitles
The main feature of the tvOS 17 update was the introduction of FaceTime on the Apple TV 4K. For the first time, you could make FaceTime calls on the biggest screen in your home. With tvOS 18, this experience is enhanced even further with the introduction of Live Captions.
Benefits of Live Subtitles
Live subtitles offer numerous advantages:
- Accessibility: They are particularly helpful for people with hearing impairments or deafness.
- Inclusiveness: In mixed households where some members have less hearing than others, live captions can be a great way to make FaceTime calls more accessible to the entire household.
- Convenience: Even for users without hearing impairments, live captions can be a useful addition to make better use of the TV's large display during a call.
Availability and supported devices
Due to the high processing requirements, Live Captions for FaceTime are only available on a second-generation Apple TV 4K or later. Unfortunately, older Apple TV models cannot support this feature. The feature will initially only be available in English in the US and Canada, but Apple plans to expand the feature to more languages and countries in the future. This is a significant step to make using FaceTime on Apple TV more accessible worldwide.
Further improvements in tvOS 18
In addition to the introduction of live captions, tvOS 18 also brings other improvements and features that make your Apple TV experience even better:
- Improved user interface: An optimized user interface ensures even more intuitive navigation.
- Performance improvements: tvOS 18 brings performance optimizations that make your Apple TV faster and more efficient.
tvOS 18 makes FaceTime more accessible on Apple TV
With tvOS 18, Apple is taking the use of FaceTime on Apple TV to a new level. The introduction of live captions makes FaceTime calls more accessible and convenient for all users. Make sure you have a second generation Apple TV 4K or higher to benefit from this new feature. Stay tuned, as Apple plans to expand this feature to more languages and regions in the future. Look forward to an improved FaceTime experience on your Apple TV with tvOS 18! Are you looking for new accessories? Then take a look in our Amazon Storefront - there you will find numerous products from leading providers, also for HomeKit and Co.! (Photo by Unsplash / James Yarema)
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