The updated Apple TV app, first announced at the company's March event, was made available yesterday for iOS, Apple TV, and the latest Samsung smart TVs. Apple has released updates to iOS and tvOS with a new look for its video streaming service and added the ability to purchase paid subscriptions to channels such as HBO, Showtime, Starz, Epix and many more. All movies and shows purchased from iTunes, whether purchased directly or rented, are now available on Apple TV.
Apple promises to provide the highest quality video and audio content on Apple TV. When you subscribe to HBO or another digital channel on Apple TV, Apple is in charge of encoding and streaming the video, so the company has full control over the transfer rate and quality. So far, Apple hasn't revealed all the details on how it's all organized, but given that it's aiming to take on competitors like Amazon Prime Video that offer almost completely similar channels, you can expect the company to focus on the technical edge of its product as much as possible. . So if you decide to revisit the third episode of Game of Thrones, which is famous for its dark picture, in the Apple version, you can hope that there will be less banding, spots and other signs of distortion when streaming video is compressed. All Apple TV channels are free to try for a week and will also be available to anyone in your Family Sharing group.
The interface for each Apple TV channel is designed and maintained by Apple, but the company has taken into account the feedback and wishes of its partners in order to ensure consistency in design for different channels on all devices and platforms. You can scroll through Netflix-esque content, but Apple offers a luxurious full-screen mode for swiping left or right with the Apple TV remote, with all trailers playing automatically.
Another really cool thing about Apple TV is that the app supports offline downloads for all subscribed channels, even though services like HBO Now and HBO Go currently don't allow you to download their movies and series offline. . For some channels, this feature will be similar to iTunes video rentals. Apple says users can expect optimal video quality for whatever device they use, whether it's an iPhone or iPad (support for Mac OS devices isn't expected until this fall).
Whatever it was, the new Apple TV app will look very familiar to anyone who has used the company's services before. At the top, there will be a "Continue" section, which will display TV shows, movies, or sports games that you have already started watching. Below that will be a "What to See" section, where Apple editors will post content they think everyone should see. At the same time, recommendations will not be limited only to those channels to which you are subscribed. Even if you don't have an HBO subscription, you can expect to see a Game of Thrones TV series recommendation anyway. In addition, Apple will make personal recommendations for you, based on your taste, and not on the preferences of the company's editors. You'll be able to find a "For You" section, which, like Apple Music, will suggest movies and TV shows based on your previous viewing history.
Sports fans will easily find a dedicated Sports section with live scores from their favorite teams. New in the updated Apple TV will be the βChildrenβ tab, which is fully curated by the Apple editors: no algorithms are used here, only manual selection, so everything presented in this section is completely safe.
On Samsung TVs, the Apple TV experience is slightly different and more limited. Strictly speaking, the application only provides access to purchased movies and series, as well as channel subscriptions. But on Samsung TVs, interaction with third-party services such as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or applications from cable providers is not available, which will slightly limit the content provided. It will likely be the same for Apple TV and Roku or any other alternative platforms, but Apple isn't ready to share any details about that just yet.
Source: 3dnews.ru