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Netflix gives new and upcoming releases their own tab
Netflix has debuted a new tab in its TV app's sidebar that could make it a lot easier to find new things to watch in the coming days. According to Variety, the new "Latest" tab has already started rolling out to subscribers accessing the service through their smart TVs, streaming devices and game consoles on Monday. It's a similar but separate feature to its "Coming Soon" tab for mobile, and it will list all the service's new releases, along with the shows and movies coming out the next week and the week after that.
Apple's redesigned TV app arrives today
If you've been patiently waiting for Apple's redesigned TV app, which was revealed back in March, today is your lucky day. The company is now rolling out the updated application to iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and compatible Samsung smart TVs, complete with a fresh look, the new Channels feature and curated sections such as "For You" and "Kids." Aside from the overhauled design, which focuses on offering big, beautiful imagery for movies and TV shows and a UI that's intended to help you swipe/scroll less, the biggest changes to the TV app are the addition of Channels and the full iTunes library.
Apple's redesigned TV app is coming to smart TVs and Macs
Apple has redesigned its TV app to make it easy to watch its new Channels, which includes video content from CBS All Access, Cinemax, Comedy Central Now, Epix, HBO, Showtime and Starz, among others. With the overhauled tvOS application, you won't have to use the standalone apps from these networks or streaming services, as you'll have access to everything they have to offer directly from the Apple TV app. Thanks to features like "Up Next" and "For You," Apple says its machine learning is smart enough to know what users should have in their queue, whether that be an episode of a series they're already watching or a new movie they might like.
Samsung partners with Spotify, brings streaming music to its 2012 Smart TVs in Europe
Europeans who have been pining for a(nother) way to bring Spotify into their living rooms can rest easy, now that Samsung is on the case. The pair have teamed up to bring 18 million tracks to Sammy's 2012 E-Series Smart TVs with a new app designed for the platform. The software will arrive later this year, with existing Premium users finding their playlists already syncing, while those new to the service will be offered a short free trial to coax them into signing up. If you've yet to make an investment in one of the displays, the company is also planning to add the functionality onto its Blu-Ray players and Home Theater systems in short order.
Ceton's Q DVR companion app for Windows Phone gets detailed tour (video)
You might recall Ceton's Q DVR making its debut at the start of the year and now the beans have been spilled on the multiroom recorder's companion app. The Windows Phone 7 version separates out into home, television and recent screens. The home section houses galleries and search, while television will display scheduled recordings, channel guides and management options for those upcoming shows. Finally, the recent screen keeps tabs on what you've been watching or recording last, all done in that inimitable metro style. There's no launch date yet, but Android and iOS versions are also being readied for release. You can take a video tour of the features right after the break.
T-Mobile brings the Playground and Urban Zone to its TV app
We know you can't help but let your kids smear their sticky fingers all over your G-Slate and Galaxy S II. To make matters worse (but for a good entertainment cause), T-Mobile's TV app is on the receiving end of a fresh set of channel bundles -- one of which is packed with cartoons. Playground TV and Urban Zone will each be priced at $4.99 per month (or $5.99 if you want to go the HD route), bringing shows like Go Diego Go, Dora the Explorer, Sesame Street, Fat Albert, as well as BET and Crackle TV. To go along with the new video content, T-Mo's also outing a revamped Android widget, which fills you in on program info, breaking news and tips and tricks. Now that you know, it's up to you whether you'll let your kiddos know or not. What's it gonna be?
Sky to introduce 'augmented' TV viewing with zeebox companion app
A good week so far for British TV fans, especially those who want a little more interactivity than simply mashing a red button. The UK's satellite behemoth has announced a partnership with zeebox to create a companion app for its scheduling. Once released, you'll be able to connect with fans of the same shows, digest more program information and even purchase on-screen products. You might be doing all of these things with a laptop or tablet already, of course, but at least now you can spare your non-interested friends all those continued America's next top model tweets. If this sounds a bit like Facebook, Twitter and Amazon functionality bundled into an app, you might be right. Sky, however, clearly hopes this dedicated approach will give its programming that extra edge once the iPad / iPhone app pops up some time before the end of Q2. Viewers without iDevices will be able to access the goodies via more vanilla online methods. Hit the PR over the jump for more info.
Google TV 2.0: app developers get final add-on for Android SDK
If you hadn't heard, Google TV is (over)due to get a major boost with Honeycomb and access to the Android Market. We've seen a few compatible apps leak out thanks to Google's early efforts to woo developers, but it's only now that we're getting the final add-on for the Android SDK. It brings a couple of revisions, like better placement options for the action and navigation bars, but more importantly it delivers the message that two-point-oh is almost two-point-here.
