DirecTV Now iOS App Update Adds 2018 iPad Pro Support, Cloud DVR for HBO and Cinemax, and More

[MacRumors]

AT&T's live TV streaming service DirecTV Now officially supports Apple's latest iPad Pro models, thanks to an update to the iOS app that was pushed out on Thursday.

After installing the update, owners of this year's 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models will be able to watch shows on the service in fullscreen mode minus any letterboxing, which blighted previous versions of the DirecTV Now app.

In addition to support for the new iPad Pro displays, the update introduces Cloud DVR support for HBO and Cinemax programming, albeit in a beta form.

Apart from performance improvements and bug fixes, the DirecTV Now app also makes Cheddar programming available as part of the Just Right plus channel lineup.

DirecTV Now is available on the App Store as a free download. [Direct Link] The service offers streaming packages starting at $40 per month, including a 7-day free trial.

Article Link: DirecTV Now iOS App Update Adds 2018 iPad Pro Support, Cloud DVR for HBO and Cinemax, and More

 

[darinzook]

It’s about time. Sure took them long enough.

 

[vipergts2207]

So now you can watch DirecTV on your iPad’s curved display.

 

[deeddawg]

So now you can watch DirecTV on your iPad’s curved display.

People pay a premium for those curved TVs -- you should be thankful Apple is giving you that feature for free!

/sarcasm

 

[nburwell]

I'm pretty sure DTV Now was one of the last live streaming TV apps to update for the new iPad screens. Better late than never I suppose.

 

[picaman]

I like that they continue to incrementally improve the service. I’ve had it for quite a while with no major complaints.

Although TBH, it’s probably the AT&T wireless discount that keeps me from serious comparison shopping.

 

[OLDGUYWITHAHIFI]

If the iOS app is anything like the Apple TV app it’ll be another year before they get all the bugs out.

 

[centauratlas]

And yet it still sucks. This morning I kept getting their "well that was unexpected" error with the "refresh" "in a bit" message.

 

[macduke]

The AT&T Watch TV app also updated for new iPads. I'm surprised I never hear anyone talk about that anymore. It's largely the same as my DirecTV Now subscription, but doesn't have live sports, but only costs $15 a month! Do people really care that much about sports? When I had DirecTV Now it would have blackouts for local baseball and football, which are the only sports I watch, and most of the time it didn't even have the football game because it didn't have our local channels. You can just use OTA for that, though we don't get it at our house even when I bought a nice Leaf antenna, so let's just say I have found "other means", lol.

 

[miniyou64]

DirectTV Now was one of the most ridiculous wastes of money Ive ever had the displeasure of being involved in

 

[ksnell]

If the iOS app is anything like the Apple TV app it’ll be another year before they get all the bugs out.

I was actually considering cutting the cord and going with this service primarily with Apple TV. Do you currently use it? Is it that bad?

 

[nburwell]

I was actually considering cutting the cord and going with this service primarily with Apple TV. Do you currently use it? Is it that bad?

The service isn't as bad as it was when it originally launched. It does have some hiccups, but it's not bad overall. Plus, I do like getting HBO for $5/month. If it weren't for that (and Viacom channels that most other streaming services don't have), I'd go back to Playstation Vue.

 

[blacktape242]

#23
I have had very little problem with this service. I do with they would have page up and down buttons on the guide screen.

Its still not perfect but I cut cable for it so I've got to accept that.

 

[dsampley]

I am waiting to get NFL Sunday Ticket in my area

 

[darinzook]

My hope is that someday Apple will have a streaming service that includes some of the networks I watch. Likely wishful thinking.

Until then, I’ve tried most of them, PS Vue is probably the best, but is missing some key networks. Sling is absolute garbage. YouTubeTV is ok, but missing a lot of key networks. DirecTV NOW is my choice simply due to the amount of networks they have, and feature/functionality is a lot better than most of the alternatives.

 

[kuwxman]

DirectTV Now was one of the most ridiculous wastes of money Ive ever had the displeasure of being involved in

Cool story.
[doublepost=1545346205][/doublepost]

I was actually considering cutting the cord and going with this service primarily with Apple TV. Do you currently use it? Is it that bad?

Don't listen to the haters. We've been with DirecTV Now since the beginning and the service is great. There are occasional hiccups, but that is to be expected with any streaming service.

 

[FairlyKors]

And yet it still sucks. This morning I kept getting their "well that was unexpected" error with the "refresh" "in a bit" message.

When companies have a “cute” or smartass response for errors they become even more irritating. Like Disqus not being able to sort out a cookie issue and serving looping gif of an audience doing a “face palm” it honestly makes them look like fools in addition to simply incompetent. Even if the error is on my end it simply adds annoyance to an otherwise annoying situation. You need to have rock solid software built by super humans for a humorous/clever error response to come across as anything but annoying.

 

[burgman]

#23
I have had very little problem with this service. I do with they would have page up and down buttons on the guide screen.

Its still not perfect but I cut cable for it so I've got to accept that.

The app on Roku has some nice differences like the guide like endlessly scrolls instead of the top and bottom of page. Plus not having to use that @#$&ed up ATV remote. More importantly since I got disgusted with it on my ATV, not one hiccup, well that's..., or any other "feature" on ATV. DVR still sucks though

 

[Apple_Robert]

I have Directv Now. I am grandfathered in with the $35 a month "Go Big" package. As some others have stated, there is a minor hiccup occasionally. Overall, I have been happy. Directv Now President has stated prices will be going up in 2019. Hopefully, that won't affect us who are grandfathered in. With the last price hike of $5 a month on the packages, I was not affected. I too like getting HBO for $5 a month albeit HBO programming isn't what it used to be.

 

[TheIntruder]

The service isn't as bad as it was when it originally launched. The service does have some hiccups, but it's not bad overall. Plus, I do like getting HBO for $5/month. If it weren't for that (and Viacom channels that most other streaming services don't have), I'd go back to Playstation Vue.

The outage a couple weeks ago has been the only major problem recently. But, as you say, it still has a lot of minor bugs.

I have Directv Now. I am grandfathered in with the $35 a month "Go Big" package. As some others have stated, there is a minor hiccup occasionally. Overall, I have been happy. Directv Now President has stated prices will be going up in 2019. Hopefully, that won't affect us who are grandfathered in. With the last price hike of $5 a month on the packages, I was not affected. I too like getting HBO for $5 a month albeit HBO programming isn't what it used to be.

Everyone was hit with the price increase, including charter subscribers.

Frankly, HBO being added to the buggy DVR service is no big deal. It's easier and more reliable to just use HBO Go instead.

I do wish they'd fix the What's On Now function, which has been broken a long time and doesn't refresh itself properly. Calling up the menu after a new time slot has started shouldn't display programs that have ended.

DTVN is far from perfect, but I can deal with $45/mo for what is a $100 package from Comcast, and as well as not having to deal with them.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The outage a couple weeks ago has been the only major problem recently. But, as you say, it still has a lot of minor bugs.



Everyone was hit with the price increase, including charter subscribers.

Frankly, HBO being added to the buggy DVR service is no big deal. It's easier and more reliable to just use HBO Go instead.

I do wish they'd fix the What's On Now function, which has been broken a long time and doesn't refresh itself properly. Calling up the menu after a new time slot has started shouldn't display programs that have ended.

DTVN is far from perfect, but I can deal with $45/mo for what is a $100 package from Comcast, and as well as not having to deal with them.

Maybe I am one of the exceptions with not getting hit with the $5 price increase earlier this year.

As to the DVR, I did experience some bugs with it early on but, recently haven't had any issues.

 

[deeddawg]

DTVN is far from perfect, but I can deal with $45/mo for what is a $100 package from Comcast, and as well as not having to deal with them.

For me the big benefit is being able to use DTVN at both our home and our little weekend/vacation place. I can put up with some annoyances for the huge savings vs. two cable bills.

 

[kuwxman]

Maybe I am one of the exceptions with not getting hit with the $5 price increase earlier this year.

As to the DVR, I did experience some bugs with it early on but, recently haven't had any issues.

Dunno how that is possible. Our price raised from $35 to $40 (+$5 for HBO so our bill is $49.xx) and we've been customers since day 1.

edit: Are you an AT&T customer possibly? Might be a $5 discount in there somewhere that effectively cancelled out the increase.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Dunno how that is possible. Our price raised from $35 to $40 (+$5 for HBO so our bill is $49.xx) and we've been customers since day 1.

edit: Are you an AT&T customer possibly? Might be a $5 discount in there somewhere that effectively cancelled out the increase.

I just double-checked my December bill, and it shows $35.00 on the website. It also shows $35.00 was charged to my credit card for the "Go Big" package, which includes HBO.

 

[kuwxman]

I just double-checked my December bill, and it shows $35.00 on the website. It also shows $35.00 was charged to my credit card for the "Go Big" package, which includes HBO.

Hopefully you can keep sneaking under the radar with that because even $35 isn’t correct. Tax should be charged on that amount, lol.