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New tvOS 27 features bring Hi-Res Lossless audio and video podcasts to the Apple TV.
Photo: Apple

Nearly two weeks after tvOS 27 reached compatible Apple TV boxes, Apple finally revealed a detailed list of tvOS 27 features. The tvOS 27 release notes, published Friday, detail changes to music, podcasts and accessibility features on your big screen.

Apple TV rarely gets headline software news of its own, but this detailed feature breakdown finally gives owners a clear reason to update now.

One of the few Apple devices designed for the whole household, Apple TV is about much more than streaming movies and TV shows. It serves as a portal where everyone can play games, listen to music and podcasts, and manage smart home devices.

tvOS 27, released on September 14, leans into that whole-home role with several upgrades that make Apple’s increasingly important living-room hub even better.

• See also: Will your Apple TV run tvOS 27? Two models won’t get the new features.

Apple Music gets Hi-Res Lossless audio and smoother transitions

With tvOS 27, Apple Music on the Apple TV now supports Hi-Res Lossless audio. This can bring studio-quality sound to your living room speakers.

The streaming device also gets Apple Music’s AutoMix feature, which automatically blends songs as a DJ might. It uses time stretching and beatmatching so tracks flow into each other, eliminating the awkward pause between songs.

Podcasts app gets a redesign and video support

Also in tvOS 27, the Podcasts app gets a redesigned layout. Browsing shows should now feel easier. That matters on a big-screen interface built for the couch.

The introduction of video podcasts is an even bigger change for Apple TV. Shows that previously played as audio only can now show videos directly on the big screen.

System settings add text size control, transcribed audio and app blocking

Other new features in iOS 27 boost parental controls, aid accessibility and generally make the Apple TV perform better:

Text size control: With the latest tvOS update, Apple TV owners can set preferred text size on supported apps. The option lives inside Accessibility settings and is helpful for anyone who struggles to read small text from across the room.

Transcribed audio: Another worthy addition, iOS 27’s new transcribed audio feature generates text for content that lacks standard captions.

App controls: Apple also added a new app-blocking setting. It lets users restrict specific apps, preventing kids or guests from opening them.

Faster AirPlay connections: tvOS 27 brings performance improvements when connecting Apple TV to iPhone, iPad and Mac via AirPlay. This makes sharing photos, videos or music to Apple TV snappier than before.

tvOS 27 runs on Apple TV 4K (2nd generation or later). While the new features in tvOS 27 aren’t showstoppers, it’s definitely worth the upgrade if your Apple TV can handle the update.

• See also: Change these 3 hidden Apple TV settings and thank us later