Apple Invites Developers to Begin Submitting tvOS Apps for Review

[MacRumors]

Following today's slew of software updates, including a golden master of tvOS for developers and a release of Xcode 7.1, Apple is now inviting developers to begin submitting their tvOS apps for App Store review. Apple will begin taking orders for the new Apple TV next Monday with shipping beginning later in the week, allowing a week or so of lead time for Apple to begin reviewing and approving apps for the new platform before customers begin receiving their set-top boxes.

Alongside today's invitation to developers, Apple has also published a new overview giving developers an idea of what steps they need to take to ensure their tvOS apps are ready for submission. The company points developers to Xcode 7.1 and the latest version of the tvOS SDK, and reminds them that apps may be a maximum of 200 MB in the main app bundle with up to 20 GB of content to be downloaded on-demand as users need it.

Apple also includes reference to the company's Human Interface Guidelines for Apple TV to help developers ensure their designs are optimized for the big screen and that their apps will work with the new Apple TV Remote.

Finally, Apple gives an overview of the requirements for App Store product pages on Apple TV, including tips on app naming, icons, descriptions, keywords, screenshots, and universal purchases to support both iOS and tvOS. Apple notes it will review tvOS apps according to the company's App Review Guidelines, and app submissions set for automatic release could go live at any time and immediately become available to developers and testers who already have the new Apple TV.

Article Link: Apple Invites Developers to Begin Submitting tvOS Apps for Review

 

[M5RahuL]

Could def. use more apps Kinda boring now in Apple Watch land!

 

[iLoveiTunes]

More tiles to hide... Hoping not !

 

[yarn90]

So the real question is if there will be in-app purchases so kids don't charge up credit cards again. #freemium

 

[wlossw]

Crosses fingers that plex app is approved for launch...

 

[2457282]

Just a little over a week. Should I start lining up outside my Apple Store?

I do plan on picking one up along with some magic in the form of a track pad.

 

[petsounds]

Considering this is a completely new platform, this dev cycle has been way too short, especially with iOS 9 and watchOS 2 overlapping it. I most likely won't have my app ready for the launch date, and I imagine many others won't, either.

 

[DotCom2]

So the real question is if there will be in-app purchases so kids don't charge up credit cards again. #freemium

Gawd I hate those. I refuse to buy any of those kind of kid apps.

 

[charlituna]

So the real question is if there will be in-app purchases so kids don't charge up credit cards again. #freemium

you mean will it launch with Restrictions so i can turn off IAP

 

[sesnir]

I submitted my tvOS game and it's already in review. I'd expect most of the early games to be ports from iOS.

 

[rdy0329]

Will they be updating the 3rd gen to at least match the look of tvOS (no parallax and other stuff of course)?

 

[ZeRoLiMiT]

Would the Plex be available when you say "show me comedy movies" and will give us the option for Plex? or our home network movies?

 

[JohnApples]

Will they be updating the 3rd gen to at least match the look of tvOS (no parallax and other stuff of course)?

I'm wondering this too, and would love to see my ATV finally join iOS's new look, more than 2 years later. At least just give us a watered-down version of tvOS like they do with the older iOS devices!

 

[Junipr]

Finally! Can't wait to see what devs do on this platform.

 

[jrcsh6]

I'm wondering this too, and would love to see my ATV finally join iOS's new look, more than 2 years later. At least just give us a watered-down version of tvOS like they do with the older iOS devices!

Pretty sure I read the old ones that many of us have remain the same. I'm too hoping for a facelift though.

 

[ZeRoLiMiT]

I want to buy one! but If i don't see "Plex" on here its not worth it for me! all my content is on Plex

 

[Sean7512]

I submitted my tvOS game and it's already in review. I'd expect most of the early games to be ports from iOS.

I am hoping to submit my game tonight or tomorrow at the latest...I am putting the finishing touches on it now! Yes, it is a port from iOS for now...

 

[plastiqueusa]

I would love to see an 'Air Video HD' client app for the AppleTV, even if it's a quick port of the iOS version.

 

[2010mini]

Considering this is a completely new platform, this dev cycle has been way too short, especially with iOS 9 and watchOS 2 overlapping it. I most likely won't have my app ready for the launch date, and I imagine many others won't, either.

What kind of app are you submitting? Can you give us a clue without violating apple's TOA?

 

[2010mini]

Would the Plex be available when you say "show me comedy movies" and will give us the option for Plex? or our home network movies?

Apple mentioned universal search would be available to other apps later. Maybe they will give a sdk?

 

[ZeRoLiMiT]

Apple mentioned universal search would be available to other apps later. Maybe they will give a sdk?

i really hope it gets done soon! because all my movies are on Plex! lets hope!

 

[Soccertess]

I am hoping to submit my game tonight or tomorrow at the latest...I am putting the finishing touches on it now! Yes, it is a port from iOS for now...

Hmm.. I'm super interested to see the controls for games, wish you guys all the best

 

[asgr8]

Plex just mentioned on Twitter that they will be launching the app on AppStore on Apple TV launch. https://twitter.com/plexapp/status/656960207994556416

 

[mtneer]

It will be interesting to see if Amazon is filing for its app. They removed Apple TV and Chromecast from their store for not supporting Amazon platforms, however the question remained whether Amazon even bothered filing a request to be on Apple's platform.

 

[petsounds]

What kind of app are you submitting? Can you give us a clue without violating apple's TOA?

I'm working on a game specifically made for the Apple TV; not an iOS port. Given the time restrictions, I imagine most launch games will be ports from iOS. I don't want to say too much about tvOS and the hardware, but it has been challenging to use the stock Remote as the main input device. But it can be done, given enough time to experiment.