Apple TV App Coming to 'Chromecast With Google TV' Early Next Year and More Android TV Devices in Future

[Topfry]

I’m expecting an “Apple TV Mini” within the next year.

Apple TV air probably - hope so, seems likely...

 

[satchmo]

If it weren’t for the Fitness app, I’d just get a Google Chrome. Tired of waiting for a new AppleTV at this point. I mostly watch tv+ shows and YouTube. Apple is dropping the ball on TV hardware.

Indeed. Despite being accessible as an app on newer TVs, older sets need hardware to utilize AirPlay.

Whether that's a HomePod or dongle, Apple has certainly been slow to roll out new hardware. Perhaps in part due to lack of new programs from the pandemic shutdown. Hard to promote hardware when there's so little new content.

 

[k1im]

So I guess you can only watch Apple TV+ content on this dongle or smart TV w/ Apple app?

What I've been asking myself whether it would be possible to use AirPlay 2, play Apple Arcade, use Fitness + on these dongles or smart TVs in the nearest future? Or you can actually do it right now?

 

[Plutonius]

Now finally I can explore my free year of Apple TV+.

It will not take you long to explore Apple TV+ massive catalog /S .

 

[Plutonius]

So I guess you can only watch Apple TV+ content on this dongle or smart TV w/ Apple app?

A Roku is very cheap ($28 (on sale now)) and runs the Apple TV+ app.

 

[toke lahti]

Can atv app also show mac’s desktop?
Like atv device?

 

[CWallace]

Can atv app also show mac’s desktop? Like atv device?

Not that I am aware of. I have the AppleTV+ app on my TCL TV in a side room which has built in Roku and all it does is allow me to view AppleTV+ shows along with any movies or TV shows I have bought in iTunes. There is none of the other functionality my Apple TV device offers.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Can atv app also show mac’s desktop?
Like atv device?

It can if the TV supports AirPlay 2, which some of them support. The TV's support Apple stuff to varying degrees, some only have the Apple TV app, some support the whole suite along with HomeKit integration.

 

[kramerdude]

The long ruminated next logical step would have been an actual Apple television, except that you can now nearly do it all in software; we’ve just brought a 2020 Sony with the app, HomeKit compliant and airplay, and it’s great, I can turn the tv on with the home app or homepods- replaces our ATV hd with 4k etc the only thing missing is sending audio to my stereo pair homepods (which I do miss). I really want to reduce the amount of boxes plugged into the power socket though. These newer TVs are multi discipline also, which I would not be able to do with an ATV- should I want to, I can also use google, google tv, Alexa and so on... and all the formats are compliant and integrated - pretty much what I would loved to have seen from Apple a few years back...

Wait - I've got a 2020 Sony Bravia TV and the Apple app hasn't been available for it. Hs that recently come out?

 

[macsound1]

I keep hearing this. I look at it as, my ATV4K is the least expensive piece of my home theater system (and no, I don’t have one of those giant OLED screens, my TV is pretty modest), yet it’s the piece that I interact directly with the most - it’s my UI for everything I ask of the system, and I vastly prefer the ATV4K to past experiences with Roku and FireTV, so the cost doesn’t bother me at all - if they come out with a new model with some modest incremental improvements and a more ergonomic remote (keep the same control layout) I will be rushing to buy it to improve the experience that much more.

I agree with this.

People who tend to use the built-in interface of their TV have succumb to mediocrity. Especially if they buy multiple TVs for their household at different times of different brands.
Who wants to learn the subtle differences between the Sony and Samsung TV interface when they're going from their living room to bedroom.

Heck, people used to spend $500 to use a Tivo instead of their cable company's "DVR". What's the big deal about $200 for an Apple TV if that means they get to use a superior device that integrates into their lifestyle?

People spend $200 on smart door locks, smart thermostats, smart lightbulbs, smart toothbrushes, why not $200 once for the hardware replacement for your overpriced monthly cable subscription?

I want the freedom to replace my TV and not need to learn tolerate some manufacturer's lame excuse for an interface. Really, I want to replace my TV and care less about the "smart" features because I know I can completely ignore them.

 

[Topfry]

Wait - I've got a 2020 Sony Bravia TV and the Apple app hasn't been available for it. Hs that recently come out?

Yep

 

[DoctorApple]

My opinion: they need to sell the Apple TV at a loss and make it more accessible to people. If it was only $80 or hell...even $100 people wouldn’t really think twice. It would be fairly expensive, but you’d see the benefits and justify it.
At almost $200? Yeah you gotta be deep into Apple (like me) to take the plunge.

Apple will never sell their hardwares at a loss.

 

[CWallace]

Apple will never sell their hardwares at a loss.

Exactly. This is why they are making deals to have AppleTV+ on other streaming devices and televisions.

 

[MacBH928]

If you get the Apple TV app, can you watch your iTunes store purchases? Or is it Apple TV+ subscription service only?
Does it stream audio books you bought from iTunes too or is it video only?

 

[travelsheep]

RIP Apple TV 4K 2 Pro Max

 

[CWallace]

If you get the Apple TV app, can you watch your iTunes store purchases? Or is it Apple TV+ subscription service only?
Does it stream audio books you bought from iTunes too or is it video only?

Just movies and television shows purchased on iTunes - same as the AppleTV+ app on the Apple TV.

There is no photos, music or podcast functionality as that is handled by dedicated apps on the Apple TV.

 

[Black Belt]

How about they bring it to a new AppleTV box?

 

[AirunJae]

The HomePod Mini uses the Apple Watch SoC instead of the iPhone SoC and that has to be much cheaper. So perhaps Apple will make a custom "TV" SoC that handles video and audio decoding only (with say 8GB of RAM to cache content) and would be small enough and cheap enough to fit in an "Apple TV Mini" dongle that could be like $99.

Apple could then offer the "full size" Apple TV with the A14X SoC and 32/64GB at $179 with Apple Arcade support (and whatever apps might need the power of an A14X).

Would like to see them get the prices down to something like $79 and $129-149. Probably won't happen, but would make them somewhat competitive price-wise. I know Apple doesn't typically do that, but I can't imagine many (including myself) want to spend that kind of money on a streaming device. But I'll probably eventually bite the bullet and get one so we can use the Fitness+ on the TV if we want.