Apple TV Universal Search Feature Expands to FOX NOW, FXNOW, and NAT GEO

[MacRumors]

Universal search, which allows users to find content across multiple apps and services using text or Siri voice search, is one of the most useful features on the new fourth-generation Apple TV. At launch, universal search worked with iTunes, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Showtime, but Apple promised to expand the feature to include additional content sources over time.

Apple has made good on that promise. As of today, searching for content on the Apple TV will encompass the aforementioned apps along with FOX NOW, FXNOW, and National Geographic. Apple also expanded universal search to include PBS and PBS Kids in January.

Apple maintains a full list of apps that are included in the Apple TV's universal search feature in a dedicated support document. The new channels aren't listed yet, but should be added to the document in the near future.

Universal search across iTunes, HBO GO, HBO NOW, Hulu, Netflix, PBS, PBS Kids, Showtime, Showtime Anytime, FOX NOW, FXNOW, and NAT GEO is limited to Apple TV users who are located in the United States. Content from these apps will be displayed when a user asks Siri to find a movie or television show or conducts a text-based search.

In Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK, universal search only encompasses movies and TV shows on iTunes and Netflix, and with all other countries, search is only available for movies in iTunes.

Apple plans to continue opening up its universal search API to additional apps going forward.

Article Link: Apple TV Universal Search Feature Expands to FOX NOW, FXNOW, and NAT GEO

 

[DTphonehome]

This is the main reason I upgraded to a new Apple TV. I was sick of searching manually through apps to find shows I want to watch. Now I just tell Siri and it comes up. Glad to see that they are expanding this feature.

 

[camnchar]

Just waiting for Plex to be included. Then the universal search becomes a huge plus for me.

 

[Yumbo]

How about Family Shared content search?

Pretty basic...let alone Home Shared.

 

[rdlink]

I have cut the cord, and a lot of the channels on the Apple TV (and other streaming devices) require me to have a cable subscription to use them. Which makes their streaming device app stupid and useless.

 

[infiniteentropy]

Now just to get it to search my iTunes library on my computer! Can that be so hard? Please, Apple?

 

[oneMadRssn]

Ugh, I hope this isn't a repeat of ATV2/3 where Apple rolls out a feature piece-meal one a time without giving developers a way to just implement it themselves.

 

[mmaultby]

Anyone know when this will be available in New Zealand?

 

[thekeyring]

I'm hoping it will expand to BBC iPlayer in the UK. Also waiting on apps from Channel 4 and the UKTV network. Other than that, very very satisfied with the device!

 

[thisisnotmyname]

Another vote for adding home shared library. That's where I need this most.

 

[beanbaguk]

Thank goodness I live in the EU with a UK Apple Store account so I don't ever have to see any Fox garbage appear on my TV.

 

[2010mini]

I have cut the cord, and a lot of the channels on the Apple TV (and other streaming devices) require me to have a cable subscription to use them. Which makes their streaming device app stupid and useless.

Which other streaming device allows you to watch network content without a pay tv login???

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

My issue with this feature is if you aren't search a particular movie (i.e. "Show me comedies from the 90's") it shows you a whole slew of movies with no immediate way of knowing what app has it. You need to click on each individual movie to see if it's available on Netflix, or HBO, or anything else besides iTunes. There should be a way of filtering by app or at least identifying which app (or if there is any app) that can play the movie/show in addition to iTunes.

 

[jclardy]

Nice, glad to see they are updating this pretty quickly. Universal Search is my favorite feature of the new Apple TV - Having 50 different video apps is nice, but if I'm looking for a specific show the voice search is awesome, versus going into Netflix, searching through their UI, then repeat for every other app (HBO Now, Hulu, etc.)

 

[oneMadRssn]

My issue with this feature is if you aren't search a particular movie (i.e. "Show me comedies from the 90's") it shows you a whole slew of movies with no immediate way of knowing what app has it. You need to click on each individual movie to see if it's available on Netflix, or HBO, or anything else besides iTunes. There should be a way of filtering by app or at least identifying which app (or if there is any app) that can play the movie/show in addition to iTunes.

Agreed, or maybe a setting to not search certain sources. For example, no need to tell someone that doesn't have Netflix about a movie on Netflix.

 

[William Gates]

Thank goodness I live in the EU with a UK Apple Store account so I don't ever have to see any Fox garbage appear on my TV.

You don't like The Simpsons, Family Guy, New Girl, The X Files, Brooklyn 99, Bob's Burgers, Futurama, etc.?

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

Too bad you can't watch Fox Now, FX Now, or National Geographic without a cable subscription. How totally useless.

 

[rdlink]

Which other streaming device allows you to watch network content without a pay tv login???

My post specifically said: "...and a lot of the channels on the Apple TV (and other streaming devices) require me to have a cable subscription to use them..."

Reading comprehension issues?

 

[arggg14]

I long for the day this works with Infuse. That app beautifully tags the movies on my NAS and plays huge files of any format with ease.

 

[Mactendo]

By year 2025 all these channels will be available in Europe. And by 2030 Apple Pay. Maybe. And then offline Siri.

 

[richpjr]

Now just to get it to search my iTunes library on my computer! Can that be so hard? Please, Apple?

^This! I have a large library and it's pretty painful to scroll through things. It would instantly make the new ATV massively more useful.

 

[AppleMark]

Thank goodness I live in the EU with a UK Apple Store account so I don't ever have to see any Fox garbage appear on my TV.

LOL.. Oh you snob... "What with all those ghastly Americans..."

 

[SlipperySlop]

I have cut the cord, and a lot of the channels on the Apple TV (and other streaming devices) require me to have a cable subscription to use them. Which makes their streaming device app stupid and useless.

That may be the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Did you expect to cancel your HBO subscription with cable and then get it for free on atv?

 

[ChazSch]

X-Files gets a shout out!!!

 

[AppleMark]

Just need to get this to work in the UK, add the Amazon Prime App and I will feel like I wasted only half my money on buying an ATV4.