Apple TV 4K continues to hold its position as a top streaming device, and now, a subtle but potentially impactful change may make the Siri button on the remote more purposeful. In the latest developer beta for the tvOS platform, Apple has introduced a new functionality to the Siri button, enhancing the search experience for users.
In the current production software, pressing the Siri button activates Siri, initiating voice commands similar to the functionality on iPhones. However, the latest developer beta takes it a step further. When pressing the button in the beta version, a search box appears on the television screen, coupled with an activated microphone. Users are prompted to speak their queries, and the system then looks up results across supported apps.
While the feature is in its beta stage and subject to changes, early observations indicate that the search functionality is primarily within Apple’s ecosystem. It works seamlessly from the home screen, searching across multiple apps with prompts like “Search Movies, Shows and More” and “Search TV” within the Apple TV app. However, its functionality is not yet extended to third-party apps like YouTube TV or Hulu in this beta release.
It’s essential to note that the microphone button’s long-press functionality, which activates Siri, remains unchanged and consistent across all apps.
As the developer beta progresses, the potential for more widespread search capabilities and integration into additional apps may become a reality. This small yet notable addition could enhance the overall user experience on Apple TV, offering a more streamlined and efficient search process.
