This is what you need to know about Apple TV+ and Apple TV app

Apple has used the Apple TV name a lot—and it now means different things. And we’re here to clarify bits and pieces of it, specifically what the Apple TV+ and Apple TV app are now. Apple TV+ is a subscription service that focuses on Apple originals. Some of these were teased during the recent software-focused event by stars like Oprah, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, director Steven Spielberg, to name a few. This service will be available in the fall. It can be accessed through the Apple TV app. It isn’t known yet how or where in the app Apple TV+ will be visible but we should hear about that in the future. It’ll be ad-free (you are paying for it) and will be coming to over 100 countries

Another add-on paid subscription coming to the Apple TV app will let you stream shows from Apple partners (like HBO, Showtime, and Starz) right from the app. Apple TV used to just be a TV guide of sorts that redirects you to third-party apps to view said shows, but now you will be able to watch shows from its partners right from the Apple TV app. This app used to just be available to iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV set-top box. The app itself is free, but if you would eventually want access to watching content from Apple partners (via an Apple TV Channel subscription), then you’ll have to pay for that (when the service is available, that is). The app will be making its way to the Mac this fall as well as Samsung smart TVs in the spring. Other televisions from manufacturers like Vizio, Sony, LG, etc. will be added “in the future.” Same has been said for Roku and Amazon’s Fire TV.

Feel the World Cup fever with Apple

Starting today, you can keep up and celebrate all things World Cup on Apple devices and services. You can ask Siri about everything from scores, standings, team rosters, schedules, etc. The App Store will feature favorite apps and games from football stars. App Store editors will even offer tips on how to take perfect football photo and get your football fix on social media. If you use the Apple TV App, you can keep track of all of the action on TSN and RDS, Bell Media’s English and French language apps in Canada. You can favourite teams and follow their matches in Up Next as well as receive notifications on your Apple devices when their team is playing or when a match is coming up.

If you just want to keep up on the news, the News app will make it easier for you to follow what’s happening. You get up-to-date scores and schedules as well as a knockout bracket and profiles of the event’s key players from Eight by Eight magazine. Meanwhile, Apple Music will have playlists for each participating nation that feature the most exciting local artists the teams have selected. And Apple Podcast and iBooks will both feature editorial collections called “The Beautiful Game” that highlight podcasts and books that celebrate the sport. If you want to show your love for the sport creatively, Clips now comes with football-themed graphics, which include an animated sticker, label, and poster with customizable text.

M. Night Shyamalan signs on to develop original series for Apple TV

Gage Skidmore

Apple is adding another big name to its roster of creatives that is developing original programming for them. Variety reports that M. Night Shyamalan is creating a 10-episode original TV series for the Apple TV platform. The series is said to be a psychological thriller and will be written by Tony Basgallop, who has been credited for working on Berlin Station, 24: Legacy, and 24: Live Another Day. We don’t know anything else about plot and the like at the moment but the show will be produced by Shyamalan’s Blinding Edge Pictures. This series marks the director’s second foray into the small screen. He was the executive producer of Wayward Pines, which just finished its two-season run.

Source: Engadget

Amazon Prime video app finally comes to Apple TV with 4K UHD content

Amazon today announced the Prime Video app is available on Apple TV 4K and previous generations of Apple TV in over 100 countries.

Prime Video customers now have even more ways to stream award-winning and critically-acclaimed titles including Amazon Original Movies, Prime Originals and Hollywood blockbusters and TV series on Apple TV 4K and Apple TV. Amazon’s library of 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) High Dynamic Range (HDR) titles are available on Apple TV 4K.

“Amazon Prime Video is one of the most eagerly anticipated apps to come to Apple TV, so we’re excited to bring all of that great content to customers,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “The Sports tab in the Apple TV app makes it even easier for fans in the US to track the teams, games and moments that are important to them. With these exciting updates, plus our growing collection of 4K HDR movies on iTunes, we continue to deliver an unparalleled entertainment experience to Apple customers.”

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