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HBO Max App for iOS Gaining SharePlay, Shuffle Button, Split Screen Support and More

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The HBO Max app for the iPhone and iPad is this week receiving a notable update that will overhaul the interface and add several new features that will improve the viewing experience on iOS devices.

hbomax1.jpeg

According to the press release announcing the changes, the app offers a more intuitive navigation system, a refined design, and performance and stability improvements to bring it in line with the updated HBO Max Apple TV app that came out back in April.

U.S. HBO Max users who have an ad-free plan can use SharePlay on the iPhone or iPad to watch HBO content with friends and family over the FaceTime and Messages (iOS 16 only) apps, plus there is now a Shuffle button.

Previously available on the desktop, the Shuffle button lets users randomize the first episode that plays for select shows on the platform. On the iPad, Split View works with other apps so you can watch HBO while doing other things at the same time.

There's a dedicated home interface for downloaded content, tablet support for portrait and landscape orientations, and an enhanced screen reader experience with updated navigation elements and functionality.

The updated HBO Max app does not appear to be available for all iPhone and iPad users at this time, but WarnerMedia has said that it is rolling out.

Article Link: HBO Max App for iOS Gaining SharePlay, Shuffle Button, Split Screen Support and More
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/08/08/hbo-max-ios-app-update/
Good to see this getting improved and utilizing some of the features of the OS, though I have to say the Apple TV+ interface is the worst of the major players. I've come to expect the buttons in the middle of the screen, but the most annoying thing about ATV is that when I wipe dirt off the screen it drags the whole image around often closes the viewer... Why?
 
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HBO Max is the only streaming app on my iPad I can't control pause/play and jump back/forward 15s with the space bar and the left/right arrow keys on my iPad Pro's Magic Keyboard, it's a shame, even on the YouTube app I can do it.
 
Oh! A shuffle button! Just what I’ve been wanting!
/s

(In case there’s anyone who would find this useful, why would this be useful in a video streaming app?)
 
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It’s a shame what the Discovery CEO is doing to HBOMax. Some of their original content wasn’t up my alley but I felt the service was worth it. Discovery+, on the other hand, is mostly reality show garbage. I keep HBOMax around mostly for the HBO content like Bill Maher, John Oliver, Succession, etc. but I did find some of the original content for the service to be intriguing enough to keep paying for it.

The Discovery executives now in charge think they can merge the two services offering subscribers far less high quality, scripted content and far more low quality, low cost reality show garbage and keep people subscribing. Thanks but no thanks! I’ll simply add HBO to my current TV streaming service and call it a day.
 
Last edited:
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The Verge recently published an article Streaming video apps all look the same now. Apple should provide the reference templates and frameworks for streaming apps.

This probably isn't going to get the existing big apps to migrate, at least not right away, but it's a start.
 
TheDailyApple said:
Oh! A shuffle button! Just what I’ve been wanting!
/s

(In case there’s anyone who would find this useful, why would this be useful in a video streaming app?)
Click to expand...
I like shuffling series that I have already watched such as Family Guy, The Office, Friends, etc. I usually have these playing in the background and after watching these series in order a few times, they become predictable and less enjoyable. Shuffling helps keep the content more engaging as you don't know which episode will be next. (the storyline is not relevant at this point)
 
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I got ad supported HBO for free, and I was in disbelief that “features” such as PIP are behind paywalls. And to see all these basic functions require the more expensive package is so ludicrous. I mean they got me, it’s so irritating I’m considering paying for it myself. But what am I saying capitalism isn’t for the customers benefit, it’s for their bottom line. Just blow after blow from the platform with some of my favorite content.
 
Mr. Heckles said:
HBOmax and Discovery+ are merging and the HBOMax app will no longer be around.
Click to expand...
Unknown. It’s possible everything folds into HBOmax. They’re still deciding if HBO max is a good enough brand to keep around.


While the new name is unclear, since the company is still “doing research on consumer perception of the HBO Max name,” Warner Bros said its initial focus is on the ad-supported and ad-free versions of the combined streaming services.

9to5mac.com

HBO Max and Discovery+ to merge as one streaming service

In 2023, US users will have HBO Max and Discovery+ as one streaming service. The announcement was known for a...
9to5mac.com 9to5mac.com
 
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WanerMedia no longer exists! It is Warner Bros. Discovery now :).

en.m.wikipedia.org

WarnerMedia - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org en.m.wikipedia.org

mnsportsgeek said:
Unknown. It’s possible everything folds into HBOmax. They’re still deciding if HBO max is a good enough brand to keep around.


While the new name is unclear, since the company is still “doing research on consumer perception of the HBO Max name,” Warner Bros said its initial focus is on the ad-supported and ad-free versions of the combined streaming services.

9to5mac.com

HBO Max and Discovery+ to merge as one streaming service

In 2023, US users will have HBO Max and Discovery+ as one streaming service. The announcement was known for a...
9to5mac.com 9to5mac.com
Click to expand...
Even if they rebrand, I don’t think we can expect that they get rid of the app, especially as they continue to make improvements to it.

Macaholic868 said:
It’s a shame what the Discovery CEO is doing to HBOMax. Some of their original content wasn’t up my alley but I felt the service was worth it. Discovery+, on the other hand, is mostly reality show garbage. I keep HBOMax around mostly for the HBO content like Bill Maher, John Oliver, Succession, etc. but I did find some of the original content for the service to be intriguing enough to keep paying for it.

The Discovery executives now in charge think they can merge the two services offering subscribers far less high quality, scripted content and far more low quality, low cost reality show garbage and keep people subscribing. Thanks but no thanks! I’ll simply add HBO to my current TV streaming service and call it a day.
Click to expand...
I don’t understand what makes you think that this affects the content produced for HBO Max in this way. Keep in mind that Discovery activities and HBO, as well Warner Bros. Film and television studios, continue to operate under their own divisions of the company —supposedly in such a way that they don’t have so much influence on each other. It doesn’t make sense anyway that they’d remove the great incentive of high-quality programming (like that, by the way, on the very good Apple TV+) which must be responsible for so many of their subscriptions.
 
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