Apple TV 5.4 Beta 1 Enables iTunes Radio, Conference Room Display And More
by Joe White
June 18, 2013
Apple is indeed scheduled to update both its iOS and OS X software in fall, but one additional release - Apple TV 5.4 - promises to make a number of important changes to the company's $99 set-top box. Thanks to the French website Journal du Lapin, Apple fans can now check out a couple of hands-on videos which take a closer look at several of the new features added in 5.4 beta 1.
First up, Apple TV 5.4 beta 1 (available for registered developers only) adds iTunes Radio support to the Apple TV. As in iOS 7 beta 1, the music-streaming service can be accessed from within the dedicated Music app, and creates "stations" of tracks for users to listen to.
Second, the forthcoming software update adds a "Conference Room Display" option to the Apple TV. Here, users may enable a screensaver-like feature for their set-top box, which can include a custom message, an image, and instructions on how to connect an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch through AirPlay. Below, Journal du Lapin takes Conference Room Display for a spin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsbwHB0TnBk&feature=player_embedded
If you can't see the above video, please click this link.
Third and finally, Journal du Lapin also takes a look at the customizable subtitles added in Apple TV 5.4 beta. Apple TV users have the option of selecting closed captioning or subtitles for those hard of hearing, and it's possible to customize the appearance of subtitles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzR1kOAA8do&feature=player_embeddedIf you can't see the above video, please click this link.
The above options have also been added in iOS 7, and can be applied to content that has been downloaded through the iTunes Store. Apple TV 5.4 beta 1 is currently available for registered developers, and is compatible with the second- and third-generation Apple TV. We'll keep you updated with further information on the software as we receive it. In the meantime, for more of today's news, see: Is This A Case For Apple's Budget iPhone?, What Apple Did Right: The Best New Features Coming In iOS 7, and What Every iPad Owner Needs To Know About iOS 7.