ESPN has announced the arrival of a redesigned Apple TV app, a version that includes a better and simpler user interface, among other things. The new WatchESPN app is now simply called the ESPN App, and it includes livestreaming auto-play for users who have already authenticated the service, as well as a new curated collection of ESPN VOD (video on-demand) content said to include hundreds of hours of footage.
If at first you don't succeed, try Plan B. Apple doesn't seem to be having any luck in getting anywhere near its long-rumored TV service, so it might be settling for the next best thing instead. According to the usual sources familiar with the matter, Cupertino is planning on offering HBO, Showtime, and Starz in a single-price bundle, instead of the piecemeal channels it already has available. Whether or not this plan will pan out, however, largely depends on whether Apple is finally able to convince TV networks to do what it wants this time.
Apple is working on a new Apple TV model, according to sources, and it’ll offer Ultra HD 4K video support, among other things. According to the leak, this upcoming Apple TV model has the internal codename ‘J105,’ and will possibly be released within 2017, though that date sounds tentative at best. The rumored model is a bid to boost Apple TV sales, the sources suggest.
Facebook Video was announced for release today for several major TV platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, and Apple TV. What's missing from that list is Google's Android TV - which is surprising. Especially given the staying power of the Android TV platform and the fact that Amazon Fire TV is so extremely similar at its base. It's also strange given the attention Facebook has paid to Google's video products before - like Facebook's ability to stream from a smartphone to a Chromecast of Android TV device (which has Chromecast ability within).
What could be better than an Apple TV with the latest tvOS? Why, Minecraft on the Apple TV, of course! Months in the making, Mojang has finally unleashed the popular blocky game and world creator on the last holdout of Apple’s devices. And it’s no ordinary unleashing mind you. Not only does it already contain the latest and greatest, and deadliest, Minecraft update to date, it also offers players some festive skins and packs, though only for a limited time. Probably until the end of the festive holiday season.
Apple's attempt to cut through the confusion of cable television continues, with its new TV app arriving on iPhone, Apple TV, and iPad today. Part of the iOS 10.2 release for iPhone and iPad, as well as tvOS 10.1, the TV app aims to put all of your streaming content - no matter the provider - into a single location. Along the way, Apple hopes to simplify how many login details you have to punch in too.
While Apple fans are still waiting for the company’s next big move in the entertainment space, that is, its own Internet TV service, Apple is at least offering them some conveniences to keep their myriad cable and streaming services in order. Previously only available in beta versions of tvOS and iOS, Apple’s Single Sign-On feature is now rolling out to all users, at least in the US. Now these users will no longer have to be bothered by repeatedly entering their credentials to sign into mobile apps. They can just do it once and forget about it.
The launch of the PS4 Pro, and before that the launch of the PS VR, will have most likely grabbed most of the attention as far as Sony’s entertainment products go. Not to be outdone, however, its PlayStation Vue is trying to grab headlines by appealing to Apple fans’ hearts. At long last, Apple TV users will be able to kick back and enjoy PS Vue’s selection, or what’s left of it, from their couches. Without having to hold and stare at an iPad, of course.
With no previous announcement, Apple has debuted a new tvOS app for the latest fourth-gen Apple TV that helps kids read along to some of their favorite books. Called iBooks StoryTime, the app, available for free on the App Store, displays interactive books on the TV screen with the Read-Aloud feature, as well as lets pages be flipped with the Siri Remote's touch pad.
AT&T plans to use a free Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV Stick to turn consumers weary of sky-high cable bills into DirecTV Now subscribers, documents inadvertently leaked by the company have confirmed. The service, which AT&T confirmed back in October will be priced at just $35 per month, is expected to offer both live and on-demand streaming. With it, the company hopes to get a bite of the growing cord-cutter market.
If you thought Facebook already has enough presence on the screens of your various devices, get ready for one more: the TV. The social network behemoth is gearing up to expand its ever-growing advertising network with a test that will run video ads within certain apps on the Apple TV and Roku set-top boxes. The tests could start as early as next week, but there's no word yet on a pre-determined video length.
If you watched Apple's event yesterday, you probably noticed a certain popular video service was missing during the 'TV' app unveiling: Netflix. That's because Netflix won't be available in the app, which is more than a little surprising (and disappointing). In addition, and quite the opposite in terms of expectation, Amazon Video won't be available on 'TV,' as the service has never been available on Apple TV.