Apple Removes Ability to Buy and Rent in Update to Apple TV App for Android TV and Google TV

[MacRumors]

Apple has seemingly removed the ability to buy and rent TV shows and movies in the Apple TV app for Android TV and Google TV in the latest update to the app.

When the Apple TV app launched on Google TV early last year and Android TV in the summer, it included the ability to purchase and rent movies and TV shows from the iTunes store, as well as access to Apple TV+. The app is available for devices such as the Nvidia Shield and Google Chromecast.

After the latest update to the app, users must now buy and rent TV shows and movies on a separate device in order to view them in the Apple TV app for Android TV and Google TV. The buttons to buy and rent have been replaced with a new "How to Watch" button, which suggests that users should "buy, rent or subscribe in the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, and other streaming devices." Previous purchases and rentals initiated in the Apple TV app for Android TV and Google TV continue to be available.

The change was spotted by users who took to Reddit (via FlatPanelsHD) to bemoan the change. Users who avoid updating the Apple TV app can seemingly continue to purchase and rent movies and TV shows, but it is not clear how long this solution will last.

FlatPanelsHD suggested that Apple may have stripped back the functionality to avoid Google's 30 percent commission on in-app purchases. Not all TV in-app purchases were covered by the commission previously, but it is possible that Google introduced new terms, prompting Apple to scale back the app.

The change also seems to include smart TVs that run Android TV and Google TV natively, such as some Sony Bravia models, but other smart TVs with the Apple TV app seem to be unaffected.

Article Link: Apple Removes Ability to Buy and Rent in Update to Apple TV App for Android TV and Google TV

 

[Spock]

FlatPanelsHD suggested that Apple may have stripped back the functionality to avoid Google's 30 percent commission on in-app purchases. Not all TV in-app purchases were covered by the commission previously, but it is possible that Google introduced new terms, prompting Apple to scale back the app.

Oh the irony if this is the case.

 

[kiranmk2]

Oh the irony if this is the case.

Exactly - came here to post exactly that!

 

[MarkIII]

Well this feels like a step backwards.

 

[4jasontv]

This feels like a step in the right direction. It never made sense to offer iTunes on a suboptimal platform when they also make the best streaming box. If they can’t support Windows, why would they support abandonOS?

 

[orderoftheditch]

l can't believe I have to sideload Apple TV on my flagship Sony TV that runs the latest version of Android TV.

 

[roblognick]

This feels ironic that Apple are now the people removing functions from their own apps on other platforms to stop having to pay the store % fees on purchases.

 

[George Dawes]

Maybe we’ll get an actual apple television soon ???

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Maybe we’ll get an actual apple television soon ???

Can you imagine how much Apple is going to charge the consumers? Starting price could be a whopping $4,999.99. Just for a base model.

 

[mjs916]

So they are now providing the same poor experience that Amazon is famous for on Apple devices?

If it’s really over the 30% then I suggest all these companies take a long hard look in the mirror.

 

[falkon-engine]

If it's really about the 30% cut, then what was Apple's point about Epic Games' wish to skirt the 30% fee ....?

 

[TheDailyApple]

 

[citysnaps]

Sounds good to me.

 

[SmugMaverick]

This feels like a step in the right direction. It never made sense to offer iTunes on a suboptimal platform when they also make the best streaming box. If they can’t support Windows, why would they support abandonOS?

Spot the sheep.

Android and windows are far bigger than iOS on this planet and no matter how many times Tim tells you otherwise, it is true.

 

[Karma*Police]

Apple screwed up when they decided to push their expensive set top box instead of ATV, the platform. Then they foolishly decided to get into the content wars and realized that very few people actually owned ATV. So they decided to license ATV as a platform to TV manufacturers to give their content more exposure, except by that time, Google and Roku had already dominated that space. Another cluster thanks to Eddy Cue and Tim Cook’s lack of vision and aggressiveness.

 

[Candbot]

This feels like a step in the right direction. It never made sense to offer iTunes on a suboptimal platform when they also make the best streaming box. If they can’t support Windows, why would they support abandonOS?

They do support Windows though. With iTunes on Windows. Also, Android TV/Google TV is on a lot of TVs. If their strategy is to have a service business, making their service widely available seems like a requirement.

 

[sfwalter]

So Apple doesn't like to pay a 30% fee either. Weird.

 

[Rafterman]

Yep, Apple. Keep building that wall higher and higher.

 

[spartan1967]

So they are now providing the same poor experience that Amazon is famous for on Apple devices?

If it’s really over the 30% then I suggest all these companies take a long hard look in the mirror.

Actually, I am able to purchase Prime videos through my Roku device with 2 clicks. I recommend both seasons of Mr. Mercedes = ?.

 

[FNH15]

Oh the irony if this is the case.

Of course, it is only logical.

 

[4jasontv]

Spot the sheep.

Android and windows are far bigger than iOS on this planet and no matter how many times Tim tells you otherwise, it is true.

I think you conflated bigger with better. They make a product that competes with the built-in ‘smart’ TV features. Given Apple’s public stance it seems strange they are supporting spyware.

They do support Windows though. With iTunes on Windows. Also, Android TV/Google TV is on a lot of TVs. If their strategy is to have a service business, making their service widely available seems like a requirement.

iTunes on Windows hasn’t been updated since 2020, and prior to that, it was updated in 2016. If you contact Apple support for iTunes they can't help you since most of their staff is not trained on the software.

 

[Mooey]

This feels like a step in the right direction. It never made sense to offer iTunes on a suboptimal platform when they also make the best streaming box. If they can’t support Windows, why would they support abandonOS?

Rent free lololol

 

[w5jck]

Rotten to the Apple core, and unable to turn out decent OSes. But the fan clubs still keep getting drunk on the Apple cider. I like their overpriced devices, but I’ve had more than enough of their greedy attitude and buggy software.

 

[jonnysods]

I usually rent movies on my phone and then jump on my ATV app on my Vizio to watch - its way less of a hassle.

 

[Cartoonkid]

If it's really about the 30% cut, then what was Apple's point about Epic Games' wish to skirt the 30% fee ....?

Maybe they're doing this because they see the writing on the wall and feel they'll soon have to allow purchasing options outside of iOS. So if they're losing their cut of everybody else's stuff, why should they pay it themselves?

I'm not saying it's the right thing to do to users, but if that's the case, it kinda makes sense from a financial perspective.