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A subtle new feature in the second iOS 27 beta brings greater convenience to the living room: Apple TV can now be updated directly via the Home app – without having to go through the device itself. This small change also hints at Apple's smart home plans.
With each new beta version, details emerge that aren't yet prominently featured in the official release. Among the refinements Apple made with the second iOS 27 beta, a practical enhancement to the Home app stands out. It concerns how Apple TV receives software updates – bringing the streaming device in line with other Apple home appliances.
What's changing in the Home app
In iOS 27, Apple TV now appears in the "Updates" section within the Home app's settings. A single tap on the corresponding button is all it takes to install the latest software – without the Apple TV needing to be switched on. This eliminates the previous method of updating via the device itself, which is especially helpful if you want your Apple TV to stay silently up-to-date in the background.
A tie with the HomePod
The underlying principle isn't new. The HomePod and HomePod mini have long been updated via the Home app – Apple TV is simply following suit with iOS 27, achieving the same level of convenience. The fact that both speakers run on a tvOS variant makes this harmonization all the more logical: software-wise, they are closely related to Apple TV, making a unified update logic a sensible approach. The overview of rumors surrounding the HomePod 3 and HomePod mini 2 outlines how the HomePod lineup is likely to develop further.
A hint at the expected Home Hub
The change is made interesting by what it suggests. Apple's inclusion of Apple TV in the Home app's update interface indicates that the upcoming smart home display will also likely be controlled and updated via the same app. This Home Hub is expected later this year and, like the HomePod, is said to be based on a tvOS variant.
The device is intended as a central hub in the home: for controlling smart home products, making video calls, retrieving information such as the current weather, and interacting with Siri. Reports indicate it will feature a roughly seven-inch square display with integrated speakers – a kind of hybrid between a HomePod and an iPad. The overall overview of HomePad rumors summarizes the expectations surrounding this device, which is often referred to as the HomePad.
Apple's home strategy is taking shape
On its own, the update function is a minor detail. However, in the bigger picture, it fits into Apple's gradual expansion of the connected home: The more consistently the company consolidates its home devices under the umbrella of the Home app, the clearer the role a central Home Hub could play in the future becomes. (Image: Apple)
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