Apple TV’s tvOS 9.2 Beta 3 Has Been Released with Multiple New Features

The original release of tvOS 9.2 Beta, which arrived back in January, gave us a glimpse of some pretty cool new features that were to come in subsequent updates — including Bluetooth Keyboard support, and a revamped Podcasts App, which, released as part of the 2nd Beta, now features the ability to playback both audio and video.

Fast-forward just a couple of short weeks, however, and now Apple has released the third iteration of its tvOS 9.2 Beta software for testing to registered developers. And while the previous versions of the tvOS software update featured major changes to and enhancements of the new device — such as app folders similar to those in iOS and OS X, and Bluetooth keyboard support — the latest beta boats an impressive assortment of additional, new features, as well, like a redesigned app switcher, and even full iCloud Photo Library support with the ability to view live photos shot on iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

tvOS 9.2 now lets you organize apps into groups by creating folders, too, similar to the way you’d do so on an iOS device or Mac. However, tvOS folders consist of three columns and a continuously scrolling view of rows — which is a slight adaptation to the iOS and OS X folders functionality. Additionally, the latest Apple TV update changes how the app switcher appears, very similar to the change that took place between iOS 8 and 9. Rather than seeing full screens of app previews, for instance, the new method stacks several screens — one on top of the other, and scrolls in the opposite direction as you would on iOS or OS X.

New to tvOS 9.2 Beta 3

Additionally, iCloud Photo Library support is brand new to the Apple TV experience with the release of tvOS 9.2 Beta 3. The feature allows you to view your entire collection of photos and videos that are synced with your iCloud Photo Library via the Apple TV. Prior to the update, Apple TV supported only the viewing of iCloud Photo Sharing and My Photo Stream — not full libraries using iCloud. Moreover, this update to the Photos app lets you view Live Photos shot on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, complete with video and sound and all for the very first time.

And, last but certainly not least, you can now use the Siri-enabled remote to Dictate search criteria in text boxes! Yay! Siri can now search the App Store for titles and, upon registering, will automatically open the selected app’s landing page.

Here’s how it looks … And also, just for demonstration purposes, check out the video below to see the feature in action!

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What do you think about these sweet new surprises baked into tvOS 9.2?
Have you given them a test drive on your own Apple TV?
What would you like to see included in future updates?