Apple TVOS 14 available Sept. 16 with picture-in-picture, Xbox controller support

The Apple TV box's software also includes YouTube in 4K and the ability to pair two sets of AirPods.

Eli Blumenthal Senior Editor

Eli Blumenthal is a senior editor at CNET with a particular focus on covering the latest in the ever-changing worlds of telecom, streaming and sports. He previously worked as a technology reporter at USA Today.

Expertise 5G, mobile networks, wireless carriers, phones, tablets, streaming devices, streaming platforms, mobile and console gaming

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David Katzmaier Editorial Director -- Personal Tech

David reviews TVs and leads the Personal Tech team at CNET, covering mobile, software, computing, streaming and home entertainment. We provide helpful, expert reviews, advice and videos on what gadget or service to buy and how to get the most out of it.

Expertise A 20-year CNET veteran, David has been reviewing TVs since the days of CRT, rear-projection and plasma. Prior to CNET he worked at Sound & Vision magazine and eTown.com. He is known to two people on Twitter as the Cormac McCarthy of consumer electronics. Credentials

Although still awaiting his Oscar for Best Picture Reviewer, David does hold certifications from the Imaging Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology on display calibration and evaluation.

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Eli Blumenthal

David Katzmaier

Sept. 15, 2020 11:27 a.m. PT

2 min read

Apple Arcade now has support for multiple users on Apple TV.
Screenshot by Sarah Tew/CNET

Apple is adding new features to its Apple TV software. At its September event the company announced that new software for its streaming box, known as TVOS 14, would be available starting tomorrow, Sept. 16. The update adds camera integration from HomeKit -supported smart video cameras and doorbells, a picture-in-picture mode and updates to the Apple Arcade video game service.

Arcade will now support multiple profiles and can be paired with the Xbox Elite Series 2 and Xbox Adaptive controllers. AirPlay, meanwhile, now supports 4K streaming of videos from the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad.

Also new is support for connecting and listening with up to two sets of AirPods, as well as support for watching YouTube in 4K.

With the new version of TVOS, the Apple TV will allow you to take advantage of picture-in-picture video.
Screenshot by Sarah Tew/CNET

The software will be available at the same time Apple debuts iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and WatchOS 7.

With the new update, Apple is making the Apple TV stronger as competition increases among media streamers and smart TVs , with Roku and Amazon making up the lion's share of the market with their respective platforms, Roku and Fire TV . Apple did not announce a new Apple TV device at its September 2020 event.

Google , which has its own rival smart TV software known as Android TV , is rumored to be prepping a $50 dongle that will allow for videos in 4K HDR on TVs and for playing games through its Stadia video game streaming service. It could be announced at Google's Sept. 30 event.

Watch this: Apple shows off new TVOS 14

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