Apple TV owners recently got some big upgrades in tvOS 17, including FaceTime calling, but now Apple plans to deliver a small but significant bonus in the upcoming tvOS 17.2 update.
As noted by Sigmund Judge on X (formerly Twitter), the latest beta version of tvOS 17.2 changes what happens when you press the Siri button on the Apple TV remote. Instead of simply invoking Apple's voice assistant, it places a search bar on your screen that lets you “search for movies, TV shows and more” (above).
That may sound like a small tweak, but it could make it a faster way to find things on the Apple TV box. Siri remains a notoriously hit-and-miss way to search for shows, and it looks like the tvOS 17.2 software update will also let you filter your search results.
Apple has not completely pushed Siri aside in the updated user interface. You can still use the voice assistant to search for things, but you'll have to press and hold the Siri button for a few seconds instead of tapping it once.
The update also brings major changes to the streaming box's Apple TV app. Beta testers discovered that there's now a customizable sidebar that gives you quick access to apps that integrate with the TV app (which unfortunately doesn't include Netflix). You can also choose to hide unwanted channels and apps from this sidebar.
While there's no precise release date for the final version of tvOS 17.2, it's expected to release sometime in December, just in time for your festive TV marathons.
Another control boost
Apple's Siri remote has come a long way since the much-derided version that came with the Apple TV 4K (2017). And while this tvOS 17.2 update doesn't change the hardware, it could be a small but useful improvement in the way we use the remote.
Of course, the update doesn't solve all our complaints about the streaming box – and we'll have to play with that updated Apple TV app longer before we're convinced that the new sidebar experience is a major upgrade.
But despite its weaknesses and relatively high price tag, we still rate the Apple TV 4K (2022) as the best streaming device out there – and the recent addition of new VPN apps like ExpressVPN in tvOS 17 only strengthens its position in comparison with that of the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2023).
All Apple TV needs now are some cloud gaming apps like Xbox and GeForce – maybe they'll eventually come in a later update like tvOS 18.