Apple TV users are in for a new feature that enhances interactivity between their devices. With the upcoming tvOS 18, Apple TV will enable users to share links directly to nearby iPhones, allowing them to open websites or follow recommendations seamlessly.
Historically, the YouTube app on Apple TV offered a feature where advertisers could provide links, displayed next to the Skip button, which users could send to their iPhones. This was one of the few ways links could be shared from an Apple TV app, especially since Apple TV does not have a built-in browser, leaving developers without a means to incorporate web links.
However, the latest developer beta of tvOS 18 is set to change this. According to journalist Sigmund Judge on Threads, the new beta includes a preview feature for sharing links about Apple Vision Pro immersive video. This feature, showcased in the beta, allows an immersive video to include a button labelled "About Apple Vision Pro." When clicked, this button sends a link via what appears to be AirDrop to a nearby iPhone.
This functionality mirrors the existing YouTube example but extends its potential significantly. Being integrated into tvOS itself means that any app can potentially include the ability to share various types of content. For instance, Apple TV shows might send links to rent related titles, purchase related books, or even immersive videos to watch through an Apple Vision Pro headset.
The introduction of this link-sharing capability follows earlier reports about new features in the tvOS 18 beta. One notable addition is InSight, a feature that displays details of the music used in TV shows and allows users to purchase that music on their iPhones.
Apple's move to enhance the interconnectedness of its devices with tvOS 18 is poised to offer a more integrated and convenient user experience, bridging the gap between Apple TV and iPhones more effectively than ever before.
