Reports indicate that Microsoft is working on a Xbox dongle that would connect to an HDMI port. This may be stiff competition for Apple TV.
Apple TV
Star Wars Future Unveiled by Disney
As we wait for “Obi-Wan Kenobi” to debut, Disney and Lucafilm have offered insight into even more of the future of the Star Wars franchise.
Mark Gurman Predicts Apple Still Working on HomePod/Apple TV Combination, Will Include FaceTime Camera
Mark Gurman states in his latest Power Up newsletter that he believes a revamped HomePod with Apple TV and a FaceTime camera is coming.
CODA and Ted Lasso Bring Home Awards for Apple TV+
Apple TV’s CODA as well as Ted Lasso received awards at Ardios Casting Awards. Both CODA and Ted Lasso have received numerous awards.
Google and Android TV Lose Ability to Buy/Rent Movies in Apple TV App Update
The latest Apple TV app update for Google and Android removes the ability to buy and rent movies from iTunes on those devices.
Living that Cord Cutter Life
Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet dive into their TV viewing lives as cord cutters on this week’s episode of The Context Machine.
Apple Re-Releases 'CODA' for Free in Theaters for Limited Time
Apple Original Films has announced that CODA, an Academy Award Best Picture nominee, will be re-released in theaters for a limited time.
'The Matrix Resurrections' Now Available to Rent or Buy on Apple TV
The newest movie in the franchise, The Matrix Resurrections is now available to buy or rent on Apple TV. Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Lambert Wilson reprise their roles from the previous films, and they are joined by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jessica Henwick, Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The film is set sixty years after Revolutions and follows Neo, who lives a seemingly ordinary life as a video game developer troubled with distinguishing dreams from reality. A group of rebels, with the help of a programmed version of Morpheus, free Neo from a new version of the Matrix and fight a new enemy that holds Trinity captive.
Apple’s Home Services Head Leaves, Destination Unknown
Apple’s head of Home Services, Sam Jadallah, has abruptly left the company. Apple has not yet announced his replacement.
Apple Celebrates 2021 Veterans Day Throughout its Apps
Apple users will find special activations throughout Apple apps and services to share the stories and history of veterans.
iOS 15.2 Beta Two Adds 'Store' Tab to TV App
Apple has added a ‘Store’ tab to its TV app in iPadOS and iOS 15.2 beta two, making it easier to find third-party content.
Apple TV Owners Can Now Download tvOS 15.1.1 Update
On Monday Apple released tvOS 15.1.1 for owners of Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD. You can download it through Settings.
Apple TV App Coming to Comcast and Sky Platforms [Updated]
A new deal means the Apple TV app, including access to the TV+ subscription service, will be available via various Comcast platforms.
Developers Receive tvOS 15 Beta 9 for Their Devices
Apple released tvOS 15 beta 9 for developers. The company doesn’t provide release notes for this OS, but we do know what features will arrive this fall.
Apple TV+ Fall Preview — Media+
Kelly Guimont joins host Charlotte Henry to preview all the shows coming to Apple TV+ this fall. They also discuss the state of the streaming service as it approaches its second birthday.
Use Your Keyboard and Mouse in Games With IOGEAR KeyMander 2 Mobile
If you want the power of being able to use keyboard and mouse in your games, this accessory is just what you need.
James Bond Retrospective Film Coming to Apple TV Ahead of No Time To Die’ Release
‘Being James Bond’, in which Daniel Craig reflects on his 15 years as the super spy, will be available on exclusively Apple TV.
Apple TV Hacks You Should Know
Learn about auto-play, minimizing credits, fast-fast forward, and more in this mini-segment from Mac Geek Gab 885. This Apple Discussion has even more details.
What Other Products do iPhone Owners Have?
The latest analysis from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners examined some of the common products that iPhone owners own.
Plex Apple TV App Offers Customizable UI
One of the coolest thigs about Plex is that it works on so many different platforms and devices. You can run the Plex app on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Raspberry Pi, or almost anything else. The app is very helpful in managing your media library and watching your favorite content. With the latest version of the Plex Apple TV app, you’ve got new options for how your library looks and feels. You can customize the app and home background, what artwork should be displayed, and how much of a title’s metadata shows up.
[O]ur challenge is that since Plex is used by so many different types of users (a great problem to have!), each one of you has different habits and desires and styles as well as a vast variety of TVs with different resolutions and brightness and contrast ratios.
Apple and TV and App and Plus – TMO Daily Observations 2021-08-12
Dr Mac joins Kelly to chat about Apple TV, and the TV app, and TV+, and how they all sound the same even though they are totally different.
Apple TV Doesn't Measure Up – TMO Daily Observations 2021-08-11
Charlotte Henry and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to discuss the current state of Apple TV hardware and why it may not even matter.
The Apple TV Box is Pointless
The Apple TV, even the recently updated model, is pointless in its current form and price. That’s the view of Bloomberg News‘s Mark Gurman in his latest newsletter. I find it hard to disagree.
Apple, known for its closed ecosystem, is even embracing the shift by offering many services on smart TVs and boxes made by competitors. Those services include iTunes movie and TV rentals, the Apple TV app, Apple TV+, Apple Music and AirPlay. Of course, that was intentional on the part of Apple, which sought new revenue sources when iPhone sales slowed around 2018. That made the Apple TV a mostly pointless accessory, and consumers seem to agree: 2020 data from Strategy Analytics found that the Apple TV holds 2% of the streaming device market. The product isn’t without its benefits, though, for the Apple ecosystem’s most loyal users. Integration with HomeKit, Fitness+, AirPods and the iOS remote app is useful. The new remote control and faster chip in this year’s version are definite improvements, and the box is getting SharePlay and Spatial Audio support later this year. Still, I don’t see these enhancements moving the needle for most people. For further reading, check out how to set up your Apple TV 4K.
Paramount+ and Showtime Apple TV Bundle Seems to be Ending
Users are reporting that they are seeing billing issues when trying to pay for their Paramount+ and Showtime Apple TV+ bundle, according to AppleInsider. The suggests that the deal is coming to an end. U.S. users can though get Paramount+ free for a month on Apple TV.
Users on Reddit have reported billing errors, where the usual $9.99 fee for the bundle failed to renew. A check of the subscription in their account shows the bundle as “expired,” and non-accessible. In one case, a customer contacted Apple support and was informed their card was declined. However, on checking with their bank, it seems the payment was sent through, then Apple refunded it. Another Reddit user was informed by a senior supervisor of Apple’s support that it was a “special offer for 1 year” rather than a permanent bundle.