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Bandsintown Plus brings its livestreamed concerts to Apple TV
Live concert streaming service Bandsintown Plus is bringing exclusive performances from Charli XCX, Phoebe Bridgers and Haim to Apple TV.
Apple unveils trailer for TV+ movie 'The Banker' with Samuel L. Jackson
Apple has offered a look at one of its first few TV+ movies with a trailer for The Banker. The drama stars Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson, Nia Long, and Nicholas Hoult.
Siri can now play Spotify tracks on iOS 13
With Spotify's latest release for iOS 13, you can finally ask Siri to play albums, songs and playlists, confirming a rumor that the two companies were working together. To use it, you simply install the update and ask Siri to play a track "with Spotify." The new integration also works with CarPlay, giving you hands-free control over Spotify tunes while you drive.
Hulu adds an episode shuffle button for 'Seinfeld'
Larry David has always said the mantra for Seinfeld was "no hugging and no learning." In other words, whatever happened in an episode of the enormously successful sitcom, Jerry and the gang wouldn't change. That perhaps made it easier for viewers to dip in and out of random episodes, without necessarily needing to know about long-running storylines. To celebrate the show's 30th anniversary today, Hulu is leaning into that with an episode shuffle button.
Apple announces separate Music, Podcast and TV apps for Mac
Apple has announced it's releasing separate apps for Music, TV and Podcasts in macOS Catalina later this year, breaking up the iTunes hegemony that's been in place for 16 years, and hammering a nail in the coffin of that messy, neglected software. Rumors emerged in April about the separate apps, while screenshots of Music and TV leaked last week.
PlayStation Vue's multi-picture mode comes to Apple TV
You don't have to pick up a PS4 to take advantage of PlayStation Vue's multi-picture mode in your living room. Sony is introducing the multi-view feature to the Apple TV (not pictured here) on March 18th through an update, and it'll even one-up the PS4 version by supporting four channels at once instead of three. If you absolutely have to keep tabs on news and sports, you won't have to feel like you're missing out.
Epix is the latest TV holdout to launch a streaming video service
Epix has been one of the TV industry's more conservative outlets. Where HBO, Showtime and other premium services launched stand-alone streaming services a while ago, Epix has insisted that you subscribe to a TV package to sample its wares. Now, however, it's ready to buck tradition. The MGM-owned brand just launched a $6 Epix Now service that provides all four of the network's live channels as well as on-demand access to original shows (like Berlin Station and the Batman-based Pennyworth) and "thousands" of movies.
Amazon Prime Video's X-Ray feature finally comes to Apple TV
Believe it or not, Amazon Prime Video's X-Ray feature hasn't been available on Apple TV. While it hasn't been a huge inconvenience, it's a conspicuous omission when it has long been available on Amazon gear, consoles and other devices. At last, there's some parity -- Amazon has quietly introduced the feature to Apple's set top box. Pause a video or swipe up and you'll get the IMDb-powered info for any show that supports X-Ray. You can identify a familiar-looking actor, learn about the music or discover trivia about a scene.
Apple fixes a host of bugs for iOS, Apple Watch and HomePod
Don't look now, but you'll have a lot of updating to do if you live deep in the Apple ecosystem. Apple has released updates that tackle a host of issues for iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS and HomePod. For iPhone and iPad users, iOS 12.1.3 mostly addresses specific but annoying bugs. It'll prevent photos from displaying artifacts when you send them from a share sheet, prevent some CarPlay systems from disconnecting from newer iPhones and solve audio distortion if you use external audio input devices with the latest iPad Pro. It likewise addresses a problem scrolling through images in Messages while looking at the Details view.
Sling TV adds personalized recommendations, starting on Apple TV
Sling TV is introducing an arguably overdue feature for insatiable viewers: personalized recommendations. As of January 17th, Apple TV users will receive custom-tailored suggestions for live and on-demand programs, whether it's a channel, a movie or a sports match. You can find it in the My TV section in a carousel alongside favorites.
TiVo will add apps for smart TV boxes and WiFi for Mini this year
It's been a few years since TiVo released a limited app for Amazon's Fire TV platform, but as it promised last year, the next-generation platform will reach third-party boxes. Those include not only Fire TV (and Android) but also Roku and eventually Apple TV. We got a brief demo of the experience on those boxes at TiVo's booth, where it streamed transcoded video from a connected Bolt DVR without issue. If everything goes according to plan, you should see the full app for Fire TV in Q2, followed an app for Roku, and later, perhaps in the fall, access will extend to the Apple TV. Additionally, it's not planning to charge for access to the apps, although TiVo owners will only be able to stream to two third-party devices at once.
Apple's TV service can't succeed without outside help
"Hell froze over." That's what the somewhat hyperbolic ad announcing that iTunes, and by extension the iPod, would now run on Windows said. In the earliest of days, the iPod was purely for the Mac faithful. But the move to Windows meant that the music player went from niche delight to mainstream success, and 300 million sales later, it was clearly the right decision.
Charter launches its zero sign-on Spectrum app for Apple TV
Charter just completed the other half of its zero sign-on puzzle. The cable giant has launched its delayed Spectrum app for Apple TV, giving you access to both live programming and on-demand shows without having to enter your credentials. If you set up the app while you're connected to Spectrum broadband service, it'll use tvOS 12's smarter authentication to sign in you in automatically -- you can focus on watching instead of remembering your password. There's Siri support, too, so you just have to speak to tune into a given channel.
Sling TV rolls out improved UI features on Apple TV
Apple TV users are getting some new Sling TV features that will make it easier to find and watch shows. Sling said the updates are geared towards being more "content-centric" and they include changes to the main guide, content information views and remote capabilities.
Apple TV's zero sign-on is live, starting with Charter Spectrum
Charter Spectrum support for the new zero sign-on feature for Apple TV is now live. The feature, announced earlier this year, automatically signs into apps that require a cable subscription when the device connected to internet service from the same provider. If you're a Spectrum subscriber, you should now be able to access content in any app just by connecting your Apple TV to your Spectrum network.
The best home theater gifts
There's a good chance you know someone who could use a home theater upgrade. Their TV doesn't support the latest streaming services, and the audio quality from the set's built-in speakers could be charitably described as "modest." Thankfully, you can help them modernize their living room with our holiday gift guide. Could your lucky recipient use a media player? We've got you covered, whether it's the affordable Roku Premiere+ or the pricey-but-powerful Apple TV 4K. And if you're determined to improve their listening experience, you don't just have to get them a basic soundbar -- the Sonos Beam gives them a TV audio upgrade and a smart speaker in one device. Whatever you choose, they're bound to thank you on movie night.
Apple reportedly considered creating a Chromecast-style TV dongle
With a streaming service on the way, Apple has reportedly started looking for new ways to get its content in front of as many eyes as possible, including releasing a streaming dongle, according to The Information. The device would be in the style of Google's Chromecast or Amazon's Fire TV Stick and would bring the price down considerably from the cost of the $180 Apple TV set-top box.
CBS gives 'Entertainment Tonight' its own streaming service
CBS expanding its repertoire of free streaming services. It just launched ET Live, a no-cost Entertainment Tonight offshoot that provides 24/7 coverage of celebrity news, fashion and other not-so-deep fare. It's not a strict expansion of the TV show -- it relies primarily on original programming with a new set of hosts (including Lauren Zima, above), and will only occasionally feature appearances from ET regulars. There will be tie-ins with CBS' other online properties, though. Deadline notes that you'll have quick access to ET Live from services like CBS All Access and CBSN, and you may see guest spots from ET Live elsewhere when there's relevant news.
Apple releases iOS 12.1, watchOS 5.1 with Group FaceTime (updated)
Apple has released a smorgasbord of updates, and iOS 12.1 is just the start of them. Notably, you can now upgrade to watchOS 5.1 on Apple Watch Series 4 devices. It doesn't include the wearable's marquee ECG feature, unfortunately, but there are new solid-color watch faces and compatibility for features arriving on iOS and Mac, including Group FaceTime (audio only on the Apple Watch, of course) and more than 70 new emoji.
